Golf
Bunker raking with double rakes
beers, and don’t mind trying to hitch a lift on the Gators. If you left your vehicle unattended with the key still in the ignition, you could be pretty sure someone was going for a spin in it. It happened once and they found the vehicle parked a mile away outside McDonalds! Friday’s morning and evening setup went smoothly and everybody was getting through their work and having a fine time doing so. The crowds at the tournament were massive now and it was great to be able to look out at the course, with the best field in golf playing, and know that I had contributed something to it. Saturday and Sunday mornings’ AM shift
changed by an hour because of the cut, so we had an extra hour in bed. The weather was beautiful over the last few days and the course looked immaculate. The greens were getting cut and ironed in the mornings and evenings and were now stimping at over 13.3, and getting very firm. Tom, Clay and Lucas were delighted with the effort from everyone. Sunday morning’s setup was a bit quieter
for everybody. I think everyone knew it was nearing the end of something really special. We had all worked really long hours and got through a lot of work, but I don’t think there was a single volunteer who wanted the journey to end.
When the morning setup was finished, the majority of volunteers were heading home or to airports to catch flights. As our group were staying until Monday, we headed back to the dorms to get washed up. We then headed back to Sawgrass to watch the evening’s golf. About twenty of us volunteers perched up on the 18th and enjoyed a good supply of beer that we wrangled from the volunteers’ tent. It was a great finish to the tournament too - a three-way playoff. What a wonderful evening we had, and one that I will always remember. Monday morning was time for home, but
22 I PC AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
TPC Sawgrass clubhouse
not before the remaining volunteers, who wanted to, got to have a shot at the famous 17th for a nearest the pin prize. Needless to say, I didn’t receive it! Everyone said their goodbyes and
exchanged business cards and promises of keeping in touch. We met back up with Peter Nelder who had us booked into a hotel a couple of hours drive away on Daytona Beach. We went out for dinner that evening and hit a few clubs. It was great to let loose a bit after the days we had just put in. It was a really nice touch from John Deere to give us that treat and something we really enjoyed. So, to sum it up overall, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. I was the only greenkeeper there from Ireland and I felt privileged to be so. I am so proud to have worked at The Players Championship at Sawgrass, it was such an inspiring thing to be part of. I have met so many new friends and am friends with so many on Facebook now,
and we all share our greenkeeping experiences daily. It was a wonderful networking opportunity and, since I came home, have been offered two new jobs on different continents! I would just like to say a massive thank you
to both the GCSAI and John Deere for giving me this amazing opportunity and helping to progress my career in greenkeeping. I would urge any member of the GCSAI or BIGGA who is even half thinking of applying to do so, as this really is a fantastic opportunity to rub shoulders with top turfgrass professionals from around the world, work at one of the world’s best courses and make new friends while doing so.
Everyone in pink on the 18th for Mother’s Day on Sunday
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