FireFly Automatix was honored to be a sponsor of the Korn Ferry Tour’s Albertsons Boise Open, one of the premier events on the Tour schedule. As part of the sponsorship, FireFly deployed two AMP robotic fairway mowers to maintain the fairways during tournament week.
A Premier Stage for Innovation and Sustainability
FireFly participated at the invitation of Matthew Gourlay, Superintendent of Hillcrest Country Club and a third-generation golf course agronomist. Gourlay, honored with the 2025 GCSAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship as a “long-time environmental standout,” has consistently championed sustainable practices throughout his career.
Since becoming superintendent at Hillcrest in 2023, he has introduced innovative technologies to enhance course conditions while reducing environmental impact. Electric autonomous mowers were a natural fit.
Quiet Precision, Tournament-Ready Results
FireFly delivered the AMP units in Boise on Sunday afternoon. By the next day, operating and keep-out zones had been mapped for all fairways, and fairway mowing was handed over to the robots.
Each morning, mowing began at 4:00 a.m., with both machines working through the early morning hours to deliver flawless playing surfaces by sunrise. By 7:30 a.m., the mowers had completed their work—laying down laser-straight lines in total darkness while the surrounding neighborhoods slept undisturbed. Thanks to AMP’s electric drivetrain and quiet operation, the fairways were perfected without the noise and disruption that traditional maintenance equipment can bring.
Easing Labor Demands, Elevating Standards
The Boise Open provided the perfect stage for FireFly to showcase how innovation and sustainability combine to transform turf care. For tournament officials, players, and spectators alike, the experience was seamless.
Building on the preparation led by Gourlay and his team, the fairways looked crisp and uniform, meeting tournament standards while highlighting the consistency and quality modern autonomous technology can achieve.
Behind the scenes, the AMP mowers showed how automation not only eases labor demands but also frees maintenance crews to focus on higher-value tasks during the critical stages of tournament preparation.
When asked about his experience with FireFly’s robotic mowers at the event, Gourlay had this to say:
It’s been unbelievable having them out here. Electric mowers have come a long way…you can see how Tesla’s modified the car industry. Now it’s time for the golf industry to catch up, and I think FireFly is leading that right now with their autonomous fairway mowers.
The Future of Turf Management Is Here
As golf courses continue to look for ways to operate more efficiently while meeting higher standards of play, FireFly’s autonomous mowing solutions represent the future of turf management. The Boise Open proved that that future is already here.