Tag Archive for: PGA

Greenkeepers selected to support PGA Tour’s flagship event

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Greenkeepers selected to support PGA Tour’s flagship event: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Premium Partner John Deere have revealed the five greenkeepers who will head to TPC Sawgrass to join the agronomy team for The Players Championship 2026.

With its famous island green and stunning Florida setting, the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is considered among the most spectacular golfing challenges in the world, and the chosen BIGGA members will be completely immersed in the hosting of the PGA Tour’s flagship event, with flights, accommodation and other costs included.

Greenkeepers selected to support PGA Tour's flagship event

Greenkeepers selected to support PGA Tour’s flagship event

While there, the greenkeepers will work alongside more than 100 turf professionals from across the globe and gain experience of elite championship agronomy, which they can bring back to their home venues.

The scheme is open to full BIGGA members over the age of 21 and the trip takes place from 6-16 March 2026.

Chris Meacock, Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf at John Deere, said: “We always receive a large number of quality applications from greenkeepers who want to invest in their own personal development by being part of the tournament preparation for such a prestigious event. This year was no different, and we are delighted to have selected individuals who are so enthusiastic about being part of the TPC Sawgrass volunteering team.

“I’m very proud of the long-standing partnership John Deere has with BIGGA to make this happen. Over the past decade we have been able to support the progression of more than 60 greenkeepers, and we know the experience forms a valuable part of their future careers.”

BIGGA CEO, Jim Croxton said: “The TPC Sawgrass Volunteer Initiative is one of greenkeeping’s most exciting opportunities and we are incredibly grateful to John Deere for making it possible. Every year the members who earn the right to take part grow their networks, make friends for life and get an insight into the stating of one of golf’s most exciting and high-profile events.”

The 2026 BIGGA volunteers are:

  • Tiffany Mills, Ryston Park Golf Club
  • Stephen van Rhyn, Beaverbrook Golf Club
  • Andrea Sozio, Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle
  • Paul Gater, Caldy Golf Club
  • Adam Matthews, Minchinhampton Golf Club

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Greenkeepers selected to support PGA Tour’s flagship event

/in , /by

Greenkeepers selected to support PGA Tour’s flagship event: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and Premium Partner John Deere have revealed the six greenkeepers who will head to TPC Sawgrass to join the agronomy team for The Players Championship 2024.

The five BIGGA members from the UK and an international member from Canada will be completely immersed in the hosting of the PGA Tour’s flagship event, with flights, accommodation and other costs included. While there, the greenkeepers will work alongside more than 100 turf professionals from across the globe and gain experience of elite championship agronomy, which they can bring back to their home venues.

Greenkeepers selected to support PGA Tour’s flagship event

Greenkeepers selected to support PGA Tour’s flagship event

The scheme is open to full BIGGA members over the age of 21 and the trip takes place from 9-19 March 2024.

Lucas Andrews, assistant director of agronomy at TPC Sawgrass, said: “We’ve been working with BIGGA and John Deere for the last 10 years, bringing in delegates to join our tournament support team for The Players Championship. The energy and drive they bring is phenomenal. This is a special place and the volunteers have their own expectations of us and we strive to live up to those. We look forward to continuing this programme for many years to come.”

You can hear more from Lucas on the BIGGA YouTube channel.

Chris Meacock, John Deere’s Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf, said: “This partnership between BIGGA, John Deere and TPC Sawgrass goes from strength to strength, as evidenced by the record number of applications received this year. Those who have been successful will embark on a unique, career-enhancing experience, being involved in one of the greatest tournaments in golf. John Deere is extremely proud to be able to help these ambitious greenkeepers build contacts and see new techniques, which will inspire fresh thinking for when they return to their home clubs.”

The 2024 BIGGA volunteers are:

  • Aidan Wright, deputy course manager, Camberley Heath Golf Club
  • Adam Brackley, head greenkeeper, La Grand Mare Hotel
  • Colin Hopper, head greenkeeper, Elsham Golf Club
  • Ian Kirwan, course manager, Chorlton-cum-Hardy Golf Club
  • David Feeney, deputy head greenkeeper, Prestwick Golf Club
  • Adam Champion, superintendent, Bearspaw Golf Club, Canada

Head to the BIGGA YouTube channel to meet the 2024 volunteers.

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GreenClub joins PGA Partnership programme

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GreenClub joins PGA Partnership programme: GreenClub – The PGA’s new principal partner – is set to offer a significant financial boost to golf clubs and resorts as part of its ambition towards becoming a carbon neutral sport.

Co-founded by PGA Member Paul Cuddy and respected environmental engineer Karl Gallagher, GreenClub aims to invest in partnerships with golf facilities to generate electrical energy through solar installations on clubhouse roofs or suitable ground-mounted sites.

GreenClub joins PGA Partnership programme

GreenClub joins PGA Partnership programme

As well as reducing energy costs and delivering new revenue streams with the sale of any surplus energy, ambitions are high for a concerted shift towards carbon neutrality for many golf clubs across the world.

Liam Greasley, chief executive of GreenClub and former commercial director at The PGA, is helping to drive the company’s initiative to deliver free solar energy installation, and he believes it could be the difference between prosperity or closure for some golf facilities.

Greasley commented: “We’re delighted to announce this exciting new partnership with The PGA and we look forward to helping PGA members and their golf facilities save money while helping golf become a carbon neutral sport.

“Club management will be looking at different and innovative ways of minimising their overheads and looking for potential new revenue streams. The GreenClub proposition addresses both of those areas and I believe it could be the difference for many clubs between remaining open and having to close their doors.

“Our ambition is to become the premier renewable energy company in golf and beyond. We want to partner with PGA Members who see the real value of working with us and we want to engage with as many clubs as possible.”

Initially operating in Great Britain and Ireland, GreenClub already has plans to expand into Australia and USA, which provides access to 24,000 golf clubs.

To date, feedback from potential partners has been overwhelmingly positive with several facilities already expressing an interest in becoming the GreenClub standard-bearers.

Greasley continued: “There is an opportunity for clubs to be seen as leaders in the area of sustainability. But the big draw is that the initial benefit will be at least a 15 per cent discount on current electricity bills, increasing to more than 30 per cent once the investment is paid down. At the same time, if clubs have any surplus to your own needs, there will be an opportunity to sell directly to the local businesses and residents, bringing golf clubs even closer into the heart of their communities.”

As a PGA principal partner, GreenClub will join an elite band of businesses that represent the highest level of partnership with The PGA. They are leaders in their business area and benefit from a marketing reach to PGA members and the wider golfing community.

Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of The PGA, commented: “The PGA is delighted to welcome GreenClub to its partnership network.

“The PGA recognises the need to do more to help preserve golf for generations to come by acting on important issues such as climate change and the environment. The partnership with GreenClub is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

“It’s also a relationship that can benefit members at a time when many golf facilities may be struggling with the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, providing an opportunity to make instant savings while providing another potentially valuable revenue stream.

“We look forward to working with the GreenClub team as we all play our in part in helping the game of golf become a carbon neutral sport in the near future.”

For more information visit www.greenclub.energy, email info@greenclub.energy or call 0800 999 1904.

CLICK HERE to find out more about how to become a PGA principal partner.

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Club Car extend PGA partnership

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Club Car extend PGA partnership: Club Car, a global leader in small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles, today announced a four-year extension to its long-standing partnership with The Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA).

Adding to a partnership that has already been a huge success for over 20 years, Club Car and The PGA will continue to collaborate on a wide range of important initiatives that will deliver significant value to PGA Members and the wider game of golf.

Club Car extend PGA partnership

Marco Natale, Vice President EMEA at Club Car, commented: “We continue to enjoy a richly-rewarding relationship with The PGA, and strongly value our status as a long-standing PGA Partner. Club Car’s objectives follow a similar path to those of The PGA in that we also put the development and enjoyment of the game at the heart of our business.

“Its 8,000 members are a vital component to the success of the golf industry, supporting the games of millions of golfers in 80 countries, and we look forward to playing our part in assisting The PGA’s great work through this exclusive partnership.”

The PGA’s vision for the future is built on the foundations of the past and focuses on the firm belief that the PGA Professional will always be central to the growth and success of the global game of golf.

Robert Maxfield, Chief Executive of The Professional Golfers’ Association, added: “The longevity of our relationship alone is testament to how successfully our two organisations continue to collaborate together. This new agreement will forge even closer ties, and we look forward to working with the whole of the Club Car family, delivering insights, initiative and projects at the heart of the game.”

This partnership extension will also open up the opportunity for Club Car to further develop relationships with other PGA Partners and PGA Branded Properties through annual networking and business events.

For more information about The PGA, visit: https://www.pga.info

For more information about Club Car, visit: https://www.clubcar.com

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Toro Joins PGA Partnership Network

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Toro Joins PGA Partnership Network: The Toro Company has further strengthened its relationship with The PGA after agreeing to become a PGA Partner in a milestone year for the American company.

Toro first entered the golf equipment business 100 years ago with a mower designed to maintain the fairways at The Minikahda Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Today, the U.S.-based company has cemented itself as one of the world’s leading brands of turf and landscape maintenance equipment.

Toro Joins PGA Partnership Network

Toro now has professional distributors, dealers and retailers in more than 125 countries, and offers a wide range of products for the golf course market. The company’s products are currently being used around the world at notable facilities such as Carnoustie Golf Links, St Andrews Links, Torrey Pines Golf Course and Pinehurst Resort.

As part of the agreement, Toro will look to establish relationships with other PGA Partners and PGA Branded Properties to provide solutions that help golf courses maintain healthy turf and outstanding conditions for players.

The partnership will also allow Toro to support The PGA National Training Academy with its educational objectives, providing educational material from key industry experts at the continuing professional development (CPD) and degree level.

Andy Brown, senior sales manager at The Toro Company, commented: “Becoming a PGA Partner is the perfect way to celebrate our landmark 100 years in the golf industry.
“The PGA is at the heart of golf, and we share the same values of integrity and commitment. As a PGA Partner, we are proud to support The PGA in all of its work to advance the game and the success of the industry overall.”

Robert Maxfield, chief executive of The PGA, added: “Toro has been a valued PGA Official Supplier for more than three years, so The PGA is delighted to welcome them on board as a PGA Partner as they celebrate 100 years serving the golf industry.

“Many PGA Members work closely with greenkeeping staff on a day-to-day basis and through Toro, they have a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge base. We look forward to continuing our relationship with one of the most trusted brands in turf landscape and maintenance. We recognise Toro as the leader in their field and the company offers a great service to PGA Members.”

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