What was compelling about John Deere’s offer to St. George’s Golf Club?


By: January 13, 2025

St. George’s Golf Club has officially partnered with John Deere and Tuckwells, marking the beginning of a long-term agreement that promises to enhance the club’s maintenance and operational efficiency.

The Royal St. George’s Golf Club hosted the 149th Open Championship and has also hosted the event on 14 previous occasions.

Perhaps we can better understand how much was at stake in the acquisition this way.

Royal St George's John Deere

John Deere has established impressive credentials in golf sponsorship, having supported the PGA Tour for over 25 years.

Additionally, the company has reinforced its commitment to the sport by extending its sponsorship with the LPGA last year.

These examples highlight John Deere’s ongoing dedication to promoting golf and fostering partnerships within the sport.

Royal St George’s, John Deere, and Tuckwells – partnership details

The deal involves the installation of 70 new machines at the renowned Kent venue by dealer Tuckwells. This includes a complete cutting fleet, tractors, utility vehicles from John Deere, and other crucial grounds care equipment.

Greenkeepers will be given support from John Deere to complete a wide range of professional training and offered opportunities to travel to other world-renowned courses to grow their expertise.  

The latest technology will be deployed across Royal St George’s with machinery connected by satellite and John Deere Operations Center PRO Golf course management software to assign and track the progress of every daily task. 

Tuckwells will furnish The Open venue with all necessary equipment and will provide a comprehensive package that includes operator training and accelerated parts support for essential maintenance throughout the initial 5-year agreement.

As part of the agreement Tuckwells will provide extra machines and labour to support tournaments held at Royal St George’s. 

The Club’s greenkeepers will also be offered the chance to travel to TPC Deere Run to help prepare the course for the John Deere Classic, or see first-hand how the TPC Sawgrass is set up for The Players Championship

Delivery of the new John Deere equipment

Delivery of the new equipment will begin in 2025 for completion in Spring 2026.

It includes the latest in John Deere’s innovation turf machinery including the recently released battery powered 225E walk-behind and 2775E riding greens mowers.

The course has also ordered two 2030A GPS sprayers which use satellite guidance for precision application of chemicals and fertilisers, reducing overlap and input costs.