For the first time in PGA TOUR history, the fairways of a tournament were maintained exclusively by autonomous mowers. The results were astonishing.
We first met Ross Laubscher and Ken Yates during a demo at Black Desert last spring. Ross, who is the Director of Agronomy for Reef Capital Partners (Black Desert’s parent company) already had ambitious plans for the course’s upcoming men’s PGA TOUR competition, but the team was facing a labor shortage. After seeing the capabilities of FireFly’s AMP mowers, an exciting new idea began to take shape, one that would free up 8 people on their staff during the tournament. Ross and Ken, the Golf Course Superintendent, approached us with a bold proposal.
What if you mowed our fairways autonomously for the PGA TOUR tournament?
We didn’t hesitate for a second. The challenge was on.
Customizing for Precision
To make this groundbreaking idea a reality, we worked closely with the agronomy team, following their lead every step of the way. First, we mapped all the fairway and mow-able boundaries at Black Desert by manually driving the AMP mowers.
Then it was time to customize the mowing patterns using our QuickPlan™ web application. Envisioning new possibilities with the robotic technology, Ross had another idea: align the striping across all 18 holes for a stunning visual effect, set against the dramatic backdrop of black lava rock. And as an added touch, he asked if we could also orient those stripes to true north.
Leaning on AMP’s advanced GPS capabilities, we were able to fulfill this request easily with perfectly aligned striping. Achieving such precision with traditional, manned mowers would have been nearly impossible–and labor intensive, especially considering the need to maintain flawless striping in the dark during competition week. For our electric, autonomous mowers? No problem.
FireFly AMP mowers creating aligned stripes at Black Desert Resort
The Power of Precision Robotics
In the month leading up to the tournament, four FireFly AMPs quietly maintained Black Desert’s fairways, working alongside the groundskeepers and their intense fertilization, watering, and other preparations for the event. When the PGA TOUR arrived with its vast network of TV cables and spectator ropes, the autonomous mowers continued to work tirelessly through the night, ensuring the course remained in pristine condition.
A timelapse of FireFly robotic mowers maintaining Black Desert’s fairways at night
By allowing our robotic mowers to handle the fairway maintenance, the course staff and volunteers were able to focus on the multitude of other tasks required to prepare for this high-profile event. And thanks to the mowers’ gentle impact on the turf and their completely hydraulic-free design, we were able to eliminate the risk of oil leaks—giving the grounds crew peace of mind.
A Resounding Success
The results spoke for themselves. Both players and pundits were impressed by the flawless condition of the course. Amplifying the groundskeepers’ exemplary work, FireFly’s robotic mowers contributed to the visual appeal of the event and helped to streamline the tournament’s operational logistics. The Black Desert Championship proved that autonomous technology can have a profound impact on professional golf.
We were humbled to be part of this historic moment, providing the finishing touch to a course that had been meticulously prepared by the course’s expert team. The agronomists at Black Desert Resort have set a new standard for autonomous turf care.
Imagine the possibilities for your next big event. Could FireFly’s innovative technology be the game-changer you’ve been waiting for?
Contact Me