THE PLAYERS |
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Out from under the competition of March Madness and the perception as a “Masters preview” by the national media, the PLAYERS new dates, May 7-13, will make it the focal point of play on the PGA TOUR between the Masters and the U.S. Open. It could well make PLAYERS Week as big economically for Jacksonville and the First Coast as Super Bowl XXIX was, every year. Longtime Tournament Director Brian Goin and his hard working staff know the full force of the date change can be measured in three simple words, Daylight Savings Time. Crossing the threshold of having more daylight at the end of what will be obviously warmer days gives Jacksonville and the First Coast a chance to shine during its peak season. TV coverage will spill over into prime time and there’ll be more time for events “around” the tournament itself. This sort of earth-shaking change will impact nearly every aspect of the tournament. 2007 will begin a new era at THE PLAYERS.
The $25-million renovation also provides more opportunities for individuals and companies in the area to enjoy the “hospitality” functions that go along with major tournament golf. From new covered pavilions on each nine featuring not only food and beverages and a place to sit, but televisions, scoreboards and fan-enhancement computer systems, to additional chalets in many places, and at many price-points, the opportunities to enjoy THE PLAYERS in style has never been more plentiful. And wait till you see the new Mediterranean-style clubhouse! Twice the size of the old one, the new clubhouse is more than just the architectural centerpiece of the complex, it will now be a more fan-friendly part of the tourney experience for those holding Clubhouse or Champions Club badges. The secondary goal of all this expansion is to make this event more of a regional one, booking more hotels and event-related tourism activities in downtown Jacksonville and throughout the entire area. No, you probably won’t be parking as close to the front entrance (and you’re not going to believe the new fan enhancements there) as you might have in the past, but a more efficient (and free) shuttle system from the University of North Florida campus might make traffic less of an issue than ever before. But the primary goal remains increasing support for area charities. Over $2.7-million was distributed to 90 charitable organizations in Northeast Florida last year, and tournament organizers see a $3-million impact in the very near future. Tell your neighbors and out-of-town friends the PLAYERS party’s about to happen. Get your tickets and explore the hospitality and travel package options as soon as possible, or for an even more participatory experience, volunteer to be a part of the event!
You can find more information on the 2007 PLAYERS by calling |
What a difference a date makes! The simple move of the PLAYERS Championship from late March to early May, seven weeks on the calendar, will make a world of difference, not just in the way we view the tournament, but its impact on Jacksonville and the entire First Coast.
The earth-moving renovation the Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass has undergone since last March will not only improve the playability of the layout, but the reconfigured mounding and grandstands will enhance the “stadium golf” experience the course pioneered 25 years ago. The improvements will actually allow the facility to handle more than 10,000 new customers each day, and yet also offer better views of more holes for fans, and plenty of mobility to those attending. The good news is that’s that many more opportunities for area golf fans to attend. But with marketing the tournament on a national level, those tickets may go faster than usual.
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