109 | Stephen Tucker: AI, Equipment Management, and Golf's Future

From Leadership on the Links by Tyler Bloom

June 25, 2026 · 53 min · Episode 109

About this episode

Tyler Bloom interviews Stephen Tucker about the intersection of AI, equipment management, and the future of golf.

In this episode of Leadership on the Links, Tyler Bloom sits down with Stephen Tucker, Director of Equipment Operations at TPC Sawgrass and founder of Turf Addict, for a conversation spanning career development, team leadership, workforce challenges, and the growing role of technology in golf course maintenance. Stephen brings a rare perspective to the discussion, having spent his career on both sides of the equipment management relationship and now building his own software platform designed to modernize how golf facilities track, manage, and optimize their equipment operations. Stephen reflects on his path from player to industry professional, shares what shaped his leadership philosophy across two decades at Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton properties, and offers candid insight into the workforce pipeline challenges that have long defined the equipment management profession. The conversation closes with a detailed look at the AI-powered platform Stephen has been quietly developing, a system designed to give golf operations the data-driven tools they need to reduce reactive maintenance, improve equipment longevity, and better communicate the value of the equipment team to club…

People in this episode

Host: Tyler Bloom

Guest: Stephen Tucker

Topics covered

AI in golf
equipment management
career development
team leadership
technology in golf
workforce challenges

Keywords

AI
equipment management
golf technology
career development
leadership
workforce challenges
TPC Sawgrass

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: TPC Sawgrass, Turf Addict, Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton