The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), in partnership with Premium Partner John Deere, has announced the five members selected to join the agronomy team at TPC Sawgrass for The Players Championship 2026.
For the chosen volunteers, the assignment represents one of the most sought-after professional development opportunities in global turf management: ten days embedded with an elite tournament agronomy operation at one of the game’s most iconic venues.
TPC Sawgrass’s Stadium Course, with its celebrated island green at the par-3 17th and its technically demanding Florida terrain, is widely regarded as one of the most sophisticated maintenance challenges in championship golf.
The 5 BIGGA members will be fully integrated into tournament preparations for the PGA Tour’s flagship event, with travel, lodging, and ancillary costs supported through the BIGGA–John Deere partnership.
The program runs from 6 to 16 March 2026.
Participants will work alongside more than 100 turf professionals drawn from leading facilities around the world.
Exposure to Sawgrass’s high-intensity agronomy model provides volunteers with practical insight into data-driven surface conditioning, moisture and firmness management, field-level logistics, and the operational cadence of a major televised event.
The experience typically catalyzes accelerated skill development and long-term career mobility within the profession.
John Deere’s long-standing role in underwriting this initiative remains central.
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 between John Deere and BIGGA that made 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.”
The selected BIGGA members for 2026 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
Each volunteer will bring new technical competencies, operational perspectives, and a deeper understanding of high-performance tournament preparation back to their home clubs.
For both BIGGA and John Deere, the 2026 cohort reinforces a shared commitment to elevating professional standards across the turf management sector.