Overview
We strongly believe it is our responsibility to be good corporate citizens in the communities where we live, work, and host one of the world’s most recognized sporting events – THE PLAYERS Championship. Thanks to support from our volunteers, Proud Partners (Comcast, Optum and Morgan Stanley), sponsors, media and fans, THE PLAYERS has been able to partner with 300+ nonprofits in Northeast Florida to help strengthen and improve the lives of the citizens in our communities.
While hundreds of community-based organizations and institutions benefit from THE PLAYERS’ funding and support, priority consideration is given to nonprofit organizations committed to serving and promoting youth services, education, character development, health, wellness and sports and military support.
Charity of the Day
Tuesday-Sunday
To help raise the profile of local organizations during tournament week, THE PLAYERS showcases a different charity as “Charity of the Day” each day of Championship week, Tuesday through Sunday.
-
Tuesday, March 12: FIVE Star Veterans Center
-
Wednesday, March 13: Dreams Come True
-
Thursday, March 14: THE PLAYERS Boys and Girls Club
-
Friday, March 15: Edward Waters University Nursing Pathways
-
Saturday, March 16: Feeding Northeast Florida
-
Sunday, March 17: First Tee of North Florida
Fundraising Programs
Chip In For Charity
THE PLAYERS would like to help your organization raise funds through our Chip in for Charity Ticket Fundraising program. Nonprofits can sell competition round tickets on behalf of THE PLAYERS and earn up to $40 per ticket sold for their organization.
Birdies for Charity
Birdies for Charity is a fundraising platform available to all nonprofits based in Northeast Florida. Charitable organizations are encouraged to invite their supporters to make a minimum $20 contribution that will allow them to guess the number of birdies that will be made during the competitive rounds of THE PLAYERS Championship (Thursday-Sunday). The individual who guesses the exact number of birdies will be awarded a grand prize of $10,000.
Participating charities will receive 100% of every pledge collected for their organization, as well as funding from a bonus pool provided by THE PLAYERS.
Military Appreciation
THE PLAYERS Championship has a long-standing commitment to honoring our Northeast Florida military members, veterans and their families.
Active-duty Service Member Tickets:
Complimentary admission will be provided to active-duty, retired, reserve and National Guard members
and one dependent on Tuesday, March 12, and Wednesday, March 13, and one competition day (Thursday, March 14, to Sunday, March 17), while supplies last. Valid identification and credentials are required. All tickets also include a $20 digital voucher that can be used for food and nonalcoholic beverages on-site.
Veteran Tickets:
Discounted admission will be provided to veterans and one dependent on Tuesday, March 12, and
Wednesday, March 13, and one competition day (Thursday, March 14, to Sunday, March 17), while supplies last. Valid identification and credentials are required. All tickets also include a $20 digital voucher that can be used for food and nonalcoholic beverages on-site.
To secure military and veteran tickets, follow these steps:
- Visit THEPLAYERS.com/tickets and click CLAIM TICKETS in the Military Admission section.
- Select your chosen tournament day(s).
- Verify your military designation using GovX by selecting the link on the checkout page.
- Once verified, complete the transaction and access your tickets on THE PLAYERS’ digital portal.
- Add your ticket(s) to your mobile wallet prior to arrival.
NOTE: Parking is not included in the complimentary, or discounted, ticket for military. Parking passes are required each day, Tuesday-Sunday, and can be purchased at THEPLAYERS.com/parking
Military Lounge– Patriots’ Outpost presented by CSX
Throughout tournament week, service members, veterans and their dependents will have access to the Patriots’ Outpost presented by CSX, an open-air hospitality space located near the tee at No. 16 that is reserved exclusively for the military and offers an upgraded hospitality space and complimentary snacks and beverages.
PGA TOUR Fan Shop discounts
On Tuesday, March 12, Active Duty, Reserve and Retired military members will receive a 20% discount in the PGA TOUR Fan Shop in the Stadium Village (must have valid military I.D.).
Military Appreciation Day – Tuesday, March 12
Each year, THE PLAYERS designates the Tuesday of tournament week as Military Appreciation Day in order to honor and recognize the brave men and women who are serving, and have served, our country, especially those who call Northeast Florida home. 2024 Military Appreciation Day will feature a ceremony and concert from country music star, Cole Swindell starting at 4:30 p.m. on the Island Green 17th Hole.
Flyover Tradition Continues
The annual tradition of a flyover on Military Appreciation will continue and will feature the 125th Fighter Wing.
Military Job Fair
- Saturday, March 9 (10 a.m.- 1 p.m.)
- Location: Patriots’ Outpost presented by CSX
- THE PLAYERS, in partnership with the Jacksonville Military Veterans Coalition, will host its 12th annual Military Job Fair. The Military Job Fair is free and open to military personnel, veterans and military spouses. Approximately 30 companies with existing job opportunities will be on-site.
Operation Shower
- Sunday, March 10 (12 p.m. -2 p.m.)
- Location: Patriots’ Outpost presented by CSX
- THE PLAYERS and Operation Shower continue a longstanding tradition of hosting a baby shower ahead of the championship for 50 special military mothers-to-be. The shower will be held in the Patriots’ Outpost venue, located next to the 16th hole.
Volunteers
The men, women and children who volunteer their time during THE PLAYERS Championship each year are an integral part of the event’s success, both during tournament week and in THE PLAYERS’ ability to positively impact hundreds of local charitable organizations. Our volunteers support every element of the tournament, from tracking statistics, greeting guests, feeding fans to keeping the grounds beautiful throughout the week.
2024 Volunteer Leadership:
The Tournament Chairman and the Vice-Chairmen are THE PLAYERS Championship’s volunteer leadership team. They work year-round with the tournament staff to deliver THE PLAYERS Championship – in addition to their day jobs, family duties and other community endeavors! They are some of THE PLAYERS’ biggest ambassadors in Northeast Florida and beyond.
Tournament Chairman – Lee Nimnicht
In this role, Nimnicht oversees the nearly 2,000 volunteers who support the PGA TOUR’s flagship event. In addition, he represents THE PLAYERS at various speaking engagement opportunities in Northeast Florida throughout the year, educating the community on the Championship and explaining how their support enables THE PLAYERS to positively impact lives in the five-county area. Nimnicht has been volunteering with THE PLAYERS for over four decades and his mother Anne, served as the tournament’s first-female Chair in 1997.
- First Vice Chairman –Tyler Oldenburg
- Vice Chair of Player Services –Marc Hassan
- Vice Chair of Spectator Services – Kevin Copeland
- Vice Chair of Facilities – Laura Renstrom
- Vice Chair of Volunteer Services – Luke Pritchett
Events
Swing for Success: Career Day at THE PLAYERS
- Friday, March 8: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Any media interested in attending the event are required to RSVP in advance by contacting Miranda Rossum at mirandarossum@pgatourhq.com
These Kids Can Play
Wednesday, March 13
- 9:30-11:00 a.m.
- Stadium Village
The PGA TOUR Wives Association, the Furyk Foundation and Everbank are teaming up to invite children and families of Community Peds Care (Community Hospice + Palliative Care Foundation) to experience activities and fun at THE PLAYERS Championship on Wednesday of tournament week. The event offers children and families a day to enjoy the tournament and specially chosen games and activities.
Dream Day at THE PLAYERS
Wednesday, March 13
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Two children from Dreams Come True and the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund will get their “Dream Day” at THE PLAYERS on Wednesday, where they will get the chance to sit inside the ropes on the Island Green 17th Hole and interact with players and caddies. Afterward, they will enjoy lunch and a behind-the-scenes tour.
THE PLAYERS Championship Caddie Competition in memory of Bruce Edwards
Wednesday, March 13
THE PLAYERS Championship Caddie Competition in memory of Bruce Edwards is a closest to the pin competition on Wednesday of tournament week at the 17th hole. This is a great tradition unique to THE PLAYERS and one that provides an added layer of entertainment for the fans, players and caddies alike. The competition is named to honor Tom Watson’s longtime caddie and friend Bruce Edwards, who passed away in 2004 from ALS or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
The winning caddie will receive all player contributions to the pot, a personalized money clip, a VIP parking spot in the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse lot and a personalized drawing commemorating their win.
Fans can keep track of how the caddies are doing, as closest-to-the-pin information will be provided on the leaderboards surrounding No. 17.
Billy Horschel’s #DriveOutHunger campaign for Feeding Northeast Florida
Ongoing initiative through Sunday, March 12
5-time PGA TOUR winner, 2014 FedExCup champion and Ponte Vedra Beach resident Billy Horschel once again will host his #DriveOutHunger campaign for Feeding Northeast Florida.
He will donate $1000 for every birdie and $5000 for every eagle that he makes during THE PLAYERS to Feeding Northeast Florida.
Horschel is encouraging fans and supporters to do their part by going to www.feedingnefl.org and choosing “Billy Horschel’s #DriveOutHunger Campaign” and then selecting their donation amount.
Morgan Stanley Eagles for Impact
Located along the 18th fairway, fans are invited to visit Morgan Stanley’s Fan Experience to learn about their Eagles for Impact program benefiting the First Tee’s Diverse Coaching Initiative and putt for a chance to make an eagle in the putting simulator, win prizes and more!
Volunteer story suggestions:
- Profile Lee Nimnicht, 2024 tournament chairman. In this role, Nimnicht oversees the entire team of volunteers.
- THE PLAYERS has many families of volunteers. Interview a family to showcase why they volunteer