Jeff Plotz retires as director of golf course maintenance at TPC Sawgrass

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Plotz, who also worked at TPC courses in Scottsdale and Memphis, will be replaced by assistant director Lucas Andrews.

• Jeff Plotz has retired after 10 years as Director of Golf Course Maintenance Operations for TPC Sawgrass.
• Plotz was praised by players for the clean condition of the Players Stadium course during the Players Championship.
• He will be replaced by Lucas Andrews, who has served as assistant director for the past seven years.

Jeff Plotz has retired as TPC Sawgrass’ Director of Golf Course Maintenance Operations after nearly a quarter century with TPC Networks and the last 10 years at TPC Sawgrass, where he led the staff in preparing the Players Stadium course for The Players Championship.

Plotz, whose retirement was officially announced on October 8th, will be succeeded by Lucas Andrews, assistant director at TPC Sawgrass. Lucas Andrews is an English native who has worked at TPC Sawgrass for 16 years and in his current position for seven years.

Plotz is a University of Georgia graduate who came to TPC Sawgrass from TPC Scottsdale in August 2015. He oversaw the conditioning of the Stadium Course under two difficult circumstances: the last three years in May and then a transition period back to March.

Each time, players raved about the conditions provided for the tour’s marquee event.

“Everything the Tour has done at (TPC) Sawgrass, the whole experience on the golf course… it always looks so perfect, so immaculately groomed,” 2021 Players champion Justin Thomas said ahead of the 2025 Players.

Rory McIlroy, who won his second Players Championship, said golf courses are keeping pace with the growing importance the event brings to tour membership.

“This tournament seems to be getting bigger and better every year with the development of golf courses and facilities,” he said.

Jeff Plotz had an old-fashioned approach.

Much of it has to do with Mr. Plotz, who actually disparaged some of the infrastructure available, such as the precision air system that removes moisture from the greenery and pumps warm air underground.

Plotz used it only under the most dire circumstances.

“Mother Nature knows best,” he said. “We should adapt to her, not the other way around.”

But Plotts also had to provide a high-quality product to resort guests at both the Stadium Course and Dais Valley Course for the remaining 51 weeks of the year.

TPC Sawgrass general manager Matt Bolotz said Plotz was instrumental in the growth of the resort course and The Players.

“We sincerely appreciate Jeff’s hard work, dedication and many contributions over his 10 years at TPC Sawgrass and over 23 years with the TPC Network,” Bolotz said in a letter to TPC Sawgrass members. “His leadership has strengthened our golf courses and played a critical role in shaping the evolution of both TPC Sawgrass and The Players.”

Prior to his nine years at TPC Scottsdale, Plotz worked at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in South Korea, TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee, Bear’s Best in Atlanta, and Eagle Landing Country Club near Atlanta. He graduated from Georgia State in 1989 with degrees in environmental science and horticulture.

Lucas Andrews interns at St. Andrews at TPC Sawgrass

A native of Portsmouth, England, Andrews graduated from the University of Guelph and completed internships at St. Andrews and TPC Sawgrass before joining the school after graduation.

“Lucas is a valued member of our agronomy team,” Bolotz said in a letter to TPC Sawgrass members. “His depth of experience and commitment to excellence give us full confidence that he will continue to maintain the high standards expected of him.”

The Players Championship will be held from March 12th to 15th, 2026.