Tournament spotlight: THE PLAYERS Championship

THE PLAYERS Championship is one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf. It has been won by some of the greatest players in the game including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Rory McIlroy. The inaugural event occurred in 1974 in Atlanta, GA, and was created by then PGA TOUR Commissioner, Deane Beman.

It took 8 years for the tournament to settle on its current layout at TPC Sawgrass but it had been hosted previously at Colonial Country Club in Texas and Sawgrass Country Club in Florida. In 2006, the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass went through a major renovation which included building the iconic Mediterranean-style clubhouse that can be seen from around the course.

Designed by the reputable Pete and Alice Dye, the course plays just over 7,200 yards from the Championship tees making it one of the hardest tests on the PGA TOUR. Due to the terrain, spectators get great vantage points of the course and practice facilities as the contours produce a stadium-like atmosphere on most of the property.

While at the tournament, there are a few things that you need to do to get the full experience:

• See the 17th hole – you’ve seen the images and watched it on TV, but nothing compares to being there in person

• Visit the Fan Shop – buy THE PLAYERS branded merchandise and show it off proudly when you return home. Make this one of the first stops when you arrive to ensure you get exactly what you want.

• Follow your favorite golfer – while the terrain is hilly, the course is very walkable so following your favorite player around is very easy. Make sure to pack an extra pair of shoes if you’re going for multiple days

• Head to the practice facilities – enjoy watching the pros practice their craft on the huge driving range and immaculate putting/chipping areas located next to each other by the Clubhouse.

• Stop into the tents – throughout the course, there are smaller hospitality areas with games, couches, tables, and food & drink for purchase.

• Upgrade to Hospitality – there are several full-scale hospitality tent options throughout the course offering covered seating, food and beverages, and more! If going for multiple days, make sure to get hospitality for at least one day to get the full experience at THE PLAYERS