MEDIA ALERT:
THE PLAYERS to kick off 50-day countdown with golf baseball at Clanzel Brown Park
City and community leaders to participate, celebrating plans to include golf at sport and recreational complex
WHAT: Marking its 50-day countdown to THE PLAYERS Championship, THE PLAYERS is teeing it up with city and community leaders to host a game of golf baseball. This activity serves as a fun and unique way (click here to see a golf baseball game) to highlight THE PLAYERS’ commitment to the City of Jacksonville’s plans to create a sport and recreational complex at the Clanzel Brown Community Center & Park. With a goal to build excitement, interest and access to the sport of golf in communities that extend beyond golf courses and clubs, THE PLAYERS is partnering with the City and community leaders in the establishment of a unique putting area with innovative offerings that introduce golf in an engaging way.
BACKGROUND: Jacksonville is home to the nation’s largest park system, with 400 parks and recreational spaces. As part of its $100 million commitment to citywide park improvement efforts, the Clanzel Brown Park will undergo comprehensive improvements, supporting a variety of sports. THE PLAYERS has long been a partner in the northwest community, supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida and First Tee, which provides golf programming to area youth at Brentwood Golf Course, less than 0.3 miles from the park. The First Tee’s proximity to this new complex serves as an additional bridge to help introduce and engage more Jacksonville youth to golf. A nine-hole golf area was previously offered at the Clanzel T. Brown park.
WHO:
All community members are invited to play. Shaved ice, music and prizes will be provided.
Youth from First Tee and area schools will team up with the below dignitaries and leaders from THE PLAYERS, the City of Jacksonville, local sports teams and organizations for a game of golf baseball.
- Ju’Coby Pittman, Jacksonville City Council Member, District 8
- Clanzenetta “Mickee” Brown, daughter of the late Clanzel T. Brown and owner/Principal Consultant of Special Project Partners
- Jared Rice, Executive Director of THE PLAYERS
- Matt Welch, 2022 Tournament Chairman, THE PLAYERS, alongside other tournament Red Coats
- Terrance Freeman, Jacksonville City Council Vice President
- Harold Craw, Executive Vice President/General Manager of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Whitney Meyer, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tammie Talley, Director of Athletics, Duval County Public Schools
- Charles Griggs, Southeast District Representative & Board Member, 100 Black Men of America, Inc.
- Charles E. Moreland, Director of Community & International Affairs, City of Jacksonville
- Kevin Carrico, Vice President of Operations, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida, Jacksonville City Councilman, District 4
- Nicky Sparrow, Senior Vice President of Multicultural Sales, iHeart Media
- Darby Stubberfield, Director of Development, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida
WHEN:
Monday, January 17, 2022
1:15 p.m. – Arrivals
1:30 p.m. — Welcome Remarks & Announcement
2:00 p.m. – Golf baseball game begins
3:00 p.m. – Game concludes
WHERE:
Clanzel Brown Community Center & Park
4575 Moncrief Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32209
QUOTES:
City Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, District 8: “The Clanzel Brown Sports Complex is positioned to have a positive brand, impact, and quality of life for long term social, physical and economic impact. I’m ecstatic about the transformation this targeted site will bring on the corner of Golfair and Moncrief Road. I have been working on this project for over a year, to bring to fruition. The support from THE PLAYERS is the first step to a new beginning…. of CHANCE and HOPE. Unfortunately, residents living in this community have been affected by economic disinvestment, disparities, and broken promises for years. THE PLAYERS symbolizes hope and revitalization that is “deserved” for this historic community.”
THE PLAYERS Executive Director Jared Rice: “THE PLAYERS is so proud of the City of Jacksonville and city and community leaders of organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida and First Tee for their investment in and commitment to improving communities. A key part of our efforts is to grow the game of golf and support opportunities to make it more accessible, welcoming and engaging in all communities. This complex will ensure that more youth have the chance to learn, play and enjoy the lifelong benefits of this great game.”
CONTACTS:
Emily Tillo, THE PLAYERS, emilytillo@pgatourhq.com, 904-424-8572
Marjorie Dennis, THE PLAYERS, marjoriedennis@pgatourhq.com, 904-635-3038