GOLF COURSES
Sawgrass2023B : The 17th at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most iconic holes in golf , and John Deere is giving seven greenkeepers the chance to help present it for The Players Championship .
Peter Lewis from Royal Liverpool Golf Club , Deputy Head Greenkeeper Eddie Irvine from Trump International Aberdeen , and Course Manager Mark Tucker from Temple Golf Club .
Each greenkeeper became an integral part of the team , preparing the course well ahead of the practice rounds and working until the tournament concluded , using the huge fleet of John Deere machinery from the Sawgrass maintenance compound .
Eddie Irvine said : “ The experience has helped me improve as a person and in my profession , by enabling me to move forwards with my career .
Alex Brougham added : “ I learnt a lot from the Sawgrass greenkeeping team , and by networking with the other volunteers . I left with a better understanding of how the team operates at one of the best championship golf courses in the
The experience has helped me improve as a person and in my profession , by enabling me to move forwards with my career .
world . I ’ m now aiming to utilise as much of that knowledge as possible back at Trentham Golf Club .”
Karl Hansell , BIGGA ’ s Head of Communications and Marketing , accompanied the group to Sawgrass in March 2023 .
Karl said : “ Having worked at BIGGA promoting this wonderful initiative for seven years , I thought I had some understanding of TPC Sawgrass and what the trip entailed . But nothing could prepare me for the actual experience of being there .
“ The TPC Sawgrass agronomy team was so welcoming that the greenkeepers accompanied were made to feel right at home , and several previous John Deere volunteers now return every year at their own expense , such was their enjoyment of the trip .
“ I can ’ t recommend this experience enough .”
The 2023 Championship at TPC Sawgrass saw American Scottie Scheffler win the tournament five shots clear of Englishman Tyrrell Hatton , shooting 17 under par for the tournament .
The application process is open to all full BIGGA members over the age of 21 , who have been a full member for at least 12 months . The deadline for applications is 31 May 2023 , and you can fill in your application online at the BIGGA website now . www . deere . co . uk
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