10 reasons to join John Deere at TPC Sawgrass
Held each year at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, THE PLAYERS Championship is considered by many to be golf’s ‘fifth’ major and as such it presents an incredible opportunity for BIGGA members to gain a huge amount of experience, in a once-in-a-lifetime setting.
If that’s not enough reason to apply for a place ahead of the deadline on 31 July, here are 10 others:
1. Experience greenkeeping in America
Everything’s bigger in America, and that includes greenkeeping, with much of the latest machinery and techniques being introduced out there, especially at a venue as prestigious as TPC Sawgrass.
It is no surprise that in many ways, course maintenance is a different culture and by experiencing the preparation of warm season grasses, with the different products that are available, there is a lot to be learnt.
A spokesperson for TPC Sawgrass said: “At the end of the day, the volunteers make all the hard work of our tremendous staff really shine. They also get invaluable experience in preparing a course in exacting, television close-up standards, as well as the opportunity to network and learn.”
In total, more than 90 greenkeepers and turf professionals will team up to assist Director of Golf Course Maintenance Jeff Plotts in preparing the course for the championship, using the latest state-of-the-art John Deere machinery.
2. Play one of the most famous holes in golf
Following the final day’s play, before heading home, the greenkeepers will get the opportunity to attempt to hit the 17th hole’s famous island green. In 2016 Richard Johnstone, course manager at Nairn Dunbar, was successful in his attempt and won the actual flag used during the tournament as a prize.
Richard said: “Aiming to just hold the ball on the green, I was surprised to have hit a perfect shot right next to the hole. The volunteers went wild, shouting, cheering and high fiving my shot, which ended up winning the competition and finishing off my 12 days in style!”
3. Gain volunteering experience at one of the game’s largest events
Ever since it was first held in 1974, THE PLAYERS Championship has been considered one of the PGA Tour’s most coveted titles. With its iconic 17th hole, TPC Sawgrass provides one of the most recognizable settings in golf and will make for an unforgettable experience for the BIGGA members selected to join the programme.
Joe Barnes, greenkeeper at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club, said: “In terms of the way the tournament is set up, I would say it’s pretty similar to something like The Open.
“The setup is pretty similar to The Open and they treat it as a major. We had talks each day that the agronomy team had organised, such as the PGA, and they would say ‘this is a major’.
“It’s a huge set up commercially. The TV networks cover it more than what they do over here. Sky Sports are just starting to match them, but they have pretty much full coverage over the practice rounds.”
4. Be involved with this…
(Thanks Craig Cameron, volunteer in 2018, for the great video!)
5. Gain some friends for life
This is an exciting, once in a lifetime experience, and over the course of 10 days in Florida you’ll get to know your fellow volunteers really well. By taking part in this programme, you’ll share some incredible experiences and make friendships within the industry that can last a lifetime.
In addition to meeting BIGGA members from all over the country, you’ll also be able to network widely and, who knows, there may be the opportunity for career progression.
Craig Cameron, Golf St Leon Rot, said: “I picked up little bits and pieces, such as ways of cutting and using boards when cutting the green. I had a great time networking with other members of the team and I even found a new member of staff! Interviews are one thing, but working alongside someone for a full week and chatting to them, you couldn’t have a better audition for a job.”
6. Spend 10 days in Florida
The six BIGGA members receive travel, accommodation, food and uniform as they join the team at the legendary venue for the entire duration of the competition, courtesy of BIGGA Partner John Deere.
And it’s not just life on the course that you’ll get to experience, but the evenings will be spent sampling the fantastic Florida culture.
There’s something to be said for sampling the beautiful Florida sunshine during March, too!
7. Build confidence in your interview and presentation skills
The selection process for TPC Sawgrass is all about building your confidence and will give you a fantastic idea of where you are in your career.
To be eligible for a place you need to be 21 years of age or over, have been a Full member of BIGGA for at least 12 months and be allowed to enter into the USA. Tick all these boxes and you will be asked to complete the rest of Stage 1.
The interview process will then be an opportunity for you to sell yourself and explain why this opportunity would be valuable in your career development. It's a great chance to practice interviews in a formal setting and the rewards could be extraordinary, so it's worth giving it a go!
8. A chance to exchange ideas and experience with your peers from all over the world
The team for the TPC Sawgrass is huge, with 90 volunteers from 14 different countries joining the home greenkeeping team in getting the course in shape for this major event.
Antony Kirwan of Romford GC said: “I was really amazed by the cultural diversity of the greenkeepers, from so many different countries, yet we all got on very well and became one massive team.
“There was even the deputy from Thordon Park, which is just eight miles from where I work, and it was amazing to chat to him about life back home.”
There’s a lot to be said for gaining experience of working in different cultures, and a spot on the TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Programme shows you to be an ambitious professional, eager to learn and develop and that is something employers really value.
Additionally, if you gain a spot on the programme you’ll have fought off competition from other BIGGA members across the country, highlighting you as one of the brightest talents within the greenkeeping industry.
9. Become part of an exclusive club
The experience doesn’t just end with those 10 days in Florida, and by earning a place on the volunteer programme, you’ll also get the opportunity to meet with previous volunteers at a meet-up that takes place during BTME and is hosted by John Deere, where you can share your experiences and exchange ideas.
Many volunteers have also returned to TPC Sawgrass in the following years, continuing to build their experience and make a name for themselves in the industry.
10. Pick up tips and hints that could be transferred back to your own course
What can be gained from working on a massive course, that may bear very little resemblance to your own course back home? Quite a lot, actually!
Nick Thorley of Little Aston explained: “I learnt how they plan and prepare ahead of the tournament to ensure everyone is working efficiently. It’s all about getting greenkeepers out on the course, doing everything within the strict time parameters they have and it was amazing to see how skilled they were at ensuring we could do the jobs they needed us to do to get the course in top condition.
In total there were around 90 greenkeepers, including volunteers. We’ve got seven greenkeepers at Little Aston and so I will probably never be in that position again, but just to see that was incredible. I wanted to see how it was run, how it was managed and planned as I believe these are some good skills to pick up.”
Make sure you don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity by applying for a place ahead of the deadline on Tuesday 31 May 2023.
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