Behind the Scenes: Grounds Crew Prepares Courses for Day Two of The American Express

As fans and players arrive for day two of The American Express, a team of unsung heroes has already been working for hours to prepare the course. NBC Palm Springs’ Brett Rosen went behind the scenes to see how the tournament’s grounds crew gets everything ready long before the first tee time.

The day for the grounds crew begins well before sunrise, often with early morning planning meetings to map out the tasks ahead. Team members come from across the country and around the world, bringing experience, precision, and a shared passion for the game of golf. Some, like volunteer cup cutter Tom Meyer from Iowa, even take vacation time to be part of the event.

Crews carefully maintain every aspect of the course, from trimming greens and shaping sand bunkers to testing surface consistency and speed. Specialized equipment is used to roll weighted balls across the greens to ensure uniform conditions, meeting professional standards required for PGA Tour competition.

Thomas Bastas, a competition agronomist for the PGA Tour, says the smallest details can make a big difference. Using precise metrics, constant monitoring, and multiple layers of quality checks, the crew works to make sure the course plays consistently and fairly for every golfer.

Their work doesn’t end when the final putt drops on Sunday. Supervisors say it can take two to three weeks after the tournament to fully dismantle infrastructure and restore the course to its original condition.

While players chase trophies and fans enjoy the action, the behind-the-scenes dedication of the grounds crew helps ensure world-class playing conditions throughout the tournament.

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