The John Deere TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Program "made me feel like a kid at Christmas"

The BIGGA members who stepped inside championship preparation at TPC Sawgrass came away changed by the experience.

The John Deere TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Programme continues to offer BIGGA members a rare opportunity to step inside one of the most recognisable venues in world golf, and for the 2026 cohort it delivered an experience that exceeded expectations. From the scale of the operation to the standards demanded throughout The Players Championship, each returned with a renewed perspective on what elite championship preparation looks like – and what can be taken back to their own clubs.

For Adam Matthews, the journey to Ponte Vedra Beach had been a long time coming, having applied multiple times before finally securing his place on the programme.

“This programme has been on my radar for a number of years,” he said. “From listening to others that attended and seeing their experiences through social media, I knew this was something I needed to do. After four attempts and three interviews, I finally booked my place. I would suggest to anyone who has applied before to never give up trying.”

 

The five selected volunteers met up at BTME in January and were reunited on the eve of their flight, with a strong bond forming quickly among them.

“Once I was introduced to the other attendees at Harrogate and conversations started on WhatsApp, I couldn’t wait for the trip,” Adam said. “We all arranged to meet at Heathrow airport for dinner the night before our flight – from that moment we clicked as a group.”

What met them when they arrived on site was beyond anything they had been imagining, and the magnitude of what they were to be a part of started to hit home.

“Nothing could have prepared us for the scale of this – the organisation behind the scenes was military standard and a great credit to those involved,” said Adam. “We visited the golf course the afternoon before we were scheduled to start. It helped familiarise ourselves with the volunteers’ marquee and most importantly receive our uniforms – wow, how amazing was this moment. It made me feel very special. Finally, I was part of the programme that I’d been trying to be part of so many times before. I felt like a kid at Christmas.”

The group quickly got into the routine, with the day beginning long before sunrise and the atmosphere set to a soundtrack provided by AC/DC. Adam was assigned to hand-mow approaches alongside a Venezuelan member of the team, but the lack of a common language did not prevent them understanding each other and building a good relationship.

The attention to detail and constant refinement of the course set-up left a strong impression on Caldy Golf Club’s Paul Gater.

“The course conditions were exceptional, and you could really see the level of detail that goes into maintaining and presenting it,” he said. “One thing that stood out was how the set-up evolved throughout the day – I was cutting approaches in the mornings and the way the rough was managed by hand mowers with rotary decks was something else to see in action.”

The structure around the work was equally impactful, with regular briefings reinforcing standards and expectations.

 

“The team talks were a big highlight – in the mornings and evenings,” Paul said. “Overall, it was a brilliant experience. The combination of elite course conditions, thoughtful set-up and strong team dynamic made it a really valuable 10 days.”

For Ryston Park’s Tiffany Mills, the experience provided her with an opportunity to test her skills under pressure, knowing a global audience would see the fruits of her labour.

“The first time I was out on the course was in complete darkness that first Sunday morning and I was cutting fairways,” she said. “I was warned it would be a stressful job and how right everyone was. But nevertheless, a great challenge and a pinch-me moment as I was responsible for what could be the most visual aspect for the TV. No pressure!”

As the week progressed, the chance to exchange ideas with greenkeepers from around the world proved just as valuable as the work itself.

“The downtime in-between shifts was just as enjoyable as the work,” Tiffany said. “Meeting people from around the world and discussing courses, methods of work, projects and career paths is all very interesting to me and how I learn best.”

There were also moments away from the turf that underlined the scale and significance of the event.

“One of the highlights for me was the police escort to the golf course on tournament afternoons,” said Tiffany. “There must have been more than 100 vehicles going out in convoy and as we were driving through a residential area, people came out waving, cheering and even making signs. It really was something I’d never experienced before and really quite moving.”

Adam concluded: “This experience was something special, and I will forever share so many happy memories. It ranks highly in my career to date and has allowed me to bring some great ideas for improvement back to my home club, both on and off the golf course.” 

Applications for the 2027 John Deere TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Programe will open in August 2026.