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Golf on the world’s stage at the Paris Olympics

Several GCSAA members are on the grounds crew for the Olympics at Le Golf National.

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Filed to: Tournament prep, PGA of America, Olympics

Olympic rings and spectator stands at Le Golf National
A view of the Olympic Rings on the 18th hole prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics at Le Golf National on July 27, 2024 in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Ile-de-France. Photo by Chris Condon/PGA TOUR/IGF

Five GCSAA members are on the ground in Paris in support of the grounds crew at Olympic Games venue Le Golf National.

Three of them — Josh Breiling, assistant superintendent at TPC River Highlands and five-year GCSAA member; Matt Haist, assistant superintendent at TPC Sawgrass and four-year association member; and Aric Runge, assistant superintendent at TPC Scottsdale and three-year GCSAA member — are among the 60 volunteer support staff members working in Paris in support of Le Golf National’s regular 40-person crew overseen by Lucas Pierré.

 Also on hand are Paul Vermeulen, agronomist for the International Golf Federation and 28-year Educator member of GCSAA, and Thomas Bastis, CGCS, competition agronomist for the PGA Tour and 32-year GCSAA member.

“My accolades go to Lucas and his staff,” says Vermeulen, agronomist for the IGF and senior VP of agronomy for the PGA Tour. “They did an absolutely fantastic job, along with the support staff. I had the opportunity to go out on the course during the practice rounds and chat with a few of the athletes. They were very happy with the work Lucas and his staff had put into getting the course ready for the Olympic Games.”

Lucas Pierre, superintendent at Le Golf National, and his dog Romy
Lucas Pierre, superintendent at Le Golf National, and his dog Romy. Photo by Paul Vermeulen.

Vermeulen said Pierré and his staff and the support staff deserve a great deal of credit for their work. “They prepared the venue in such a special way to make it enjoyable not just for the players but for all the fans who are coming, some who are seeing golf for the first time,” he said.

“There’s a lot of excitement and energy here in Paris. Our fan total is 25,000 to 30,000 spectators a day, which is a big crowd. It’s a mix of hard-core golf fans that have played the game since they were young and individuals who are just now becoming familiar with the game because of the Olympics. There’s a good number of fans out there who don’t play the game, but we hope this event will get them engaged and hopefully bring them on board as golfers.”