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 volunteers led by a team of Red Coats (past chairpersons), our Proud Partners (Morgan Stanley, Grant Thornton and Optum), sponsors, vendors, business and civic leaders, media and fans, THE PLAYERS partners with 300+ non-profit organizations in the five-county area throughout the year to help strengthen and improve the lives of citizens and communities throughout Northeast Florida.
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.
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Tuesday, March 7: Blue Star Families
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Wednesday, March 8: THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health
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Thursday, March 9: Edward Waters University Women’s Golf Program
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Friday, March 10: Active Minds
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Saturday, March 11: Nemours Children’s Health
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Sunday, March 12: First Tee
Charitable Programs
Chip In For Charity
THE PLAYERS invites all nonprofits in the five-county area (Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns) to participate in Chip In For Charity. The program allows participating organizations to earn $40 from every competition round ticket (Thursday through Sunday) purchased in their name, while supplies last.
Birdies for Charity
Birdies for Charity gives local charities the opportunity to earn funds through a unique competition during THE PLAYERS Championship. In addition to requesting a donation, charitable organizations invite stakeholders to guess how many birdies will be made during THE PLAYERS. Upon completion of the tournament, the individual who guesses the exact number of birdies (or closest thereto) will be awarded a grand prize of $10,000. A tie-breaker question will also be asked. Participating charities are also eligible to receive additional funds from a bonus pool funded by THE PLAYERS.
Military Appreciation
THE PLAYERS Championship has a long-standing commitment to honoring our Northeast Florida military members, veterans and their families.
Military Ticket Offerings:
All active duty, retired, reserve and National Guard members verified through the military identification system and one dependent are provided access to complimentary tickets on Tuesday, March 7, and Wednesday, March 8, as well as one competition day during Thursday, March 9, through Sunday, March 12, while supplies last. Complimentary tickets secured through this verification process include a $20 digital voucher that can be used at any on-site food vendor for food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Veteran Ticket Offerings:
Veterans verified through the military identification system and one dependent are provided access to discounted tickets on Tuesday, March 7, and Wednesday, March 8, as well as one competition day during Thursday, March 9, through Sunday, March 12, while supplies last. Discounted tickets secured through this verification process will include a $20 digital voucher that can be used at any on-site food vendor for food and non-alcoholic beverages.
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
Hospitality – Patriots’ Outpost
Throughout tournament week, all active duty, National Guard, military retirees, veterans and their dependents will have access to the Patriots’ Outpost, 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 7, 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 7
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. 2023 Military Appreciation Day will feature a ceremony and concert from country music star, Riley Green starting at 4:30 p.m. on the Island Green 17th Hole.
Flyover Tradition Continues
The annual tradition of a flyover on Military Appreciation Day will continue in 2023 on Tuesday, March 7 and will feature the 125th Fighter Wing.
Military Appreciation Concert
2023 Military Appreciation Day will feature a ceremony and concert from country music star, Riley Green starting at 4:30 p.m. on the Island Green 17th Hole.
Military Job Fair
- Saturday, March 4 (11 a.m.- 2 p.m.)
- Location: Patriots’ Outpost
- 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 5 (12 p.m. -2 p.m.)
- Location: Patriots’ Outpost
- THE PLAYERS and Operation Shower continue a longstanding tradition of hosting a baby shower ahead of the championship for 40 special military mothers to be. The shower will be held in the Patriots’ Outpost hospitality space, located next to the 16th hole.
Volunteers
Volunteers – The heart of THE PLAYERS
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.
2023 Volunteer Leadership:
The Tournament Chairman and the Vice-Chairmen are THE PLAYERS Championship’s volunteer leadership team. They oversee all volunteer committees and 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 – Houston Bowles
In this role, Bowles 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. This year will mark Bowles’ twenty-third year as a volunteer at THE PLAYERS. Bowles, a federal account manager for North Florida at Florida Blue and an Atlantic Beach resident, has lived on the First Coast since 1998 and began volunteering at THE PLAYERS almost immediately. He has served on the committees for the Benefactor Tent, commissary, corporate hospitality, ecology, general parking, off-site parking, volunteer parking, VIP parking and walking scorers.
- First Vice Chairman – Lee Nimnicht
- Vice Chair of Player Services – Tyler Oldenburg
- Vice Chair of Spectator Services – Marc Hassan
- Vice Chair of Facilities – Kevin Copeland
- Vice Chair of Volunteer Services – Laura Renstrom
Volunteers celebrating notable anniversaries this year:
*Please reach out to Miranda Rossum if you are interested in setting up an interview with any of these volunteers.
- 15 years
- Edward Beyer, Gallery Management
- Allen Bongers, Gallery Management
- Michael Cary, Disabled Gust Services
- Karlyn Fisher, Commissary
- Joseph Fitzgerald, Announcers
- Mark Friedlin, Disabled Guest Services
- Michael Golden, Corporate Hospitality
- John Hill, Gallery Management
- Valerie Knox, Practice Grounds
- Jeffrey Kraft, Volunteer Information
- George Leonard, Walking Scorer
- Bill Loehle- ShotLink
- Chris Lowery- Walking Scorer
- Joda Matthews, Commissary
- Alice Messina, Gallery Management
- Denzel Smith, Gallery Management
- 20 years
- Thomas Cooper, Course Prep
- Mary Jo Davs, Patriots’ Outpost
- Clark Drumm, Player Transportation
- Greg Gordon, Gallery Management
- Linda Hurt, Media Center
- Jeff Jenkins, Gallery Managment
- Bill Lewis, Gallery Management
- Steven Maybank, Gallery Management
- Joseph Mitrick, First Aid
- Rick Morin, Gallery Management
- Elizabeth Picot, Walking SCorer
- Clifton Redmon, Safety
- John Rietveld, ShotLink
- Barbara Rodon, Commissary
- Harold Stewart, ShotLink
- Caren Walrath, Darlene’s Diner
- 25 years
- Roberta Brenner, Spectator Information
- Carol D’Onofrio, Hospitality
- Ruth Engle, Gallery Management
- Steve Faulk, Gallery Management
- Pamela Laveck, Will Call
- David Lea, Evacuation
- Sam Weeks, Supply
- 30 years
- Norma Buchanan, Gallery Management
- Todd Buchanan, Gallery Management
- Larry Holcombe, Photography
- Robert Kamm, Walking Scorer
- Carol Maurer, Greenside Seats
- Nancy Meade, Credentials
- Marilyn Momich, Practice Grounds
- Jeff Smowton, First Aid
- Mary Sullivan, Gallery Management
- 35 years
- Linda Burkhart, Walking Scorer
- Cathy Connolly, ShotLink
- Marion Davis, Sign Design
- James Loehmann, Caddies
- Mark Pocius, Gallery Management
- Edward Woodrow, Spectator Information
- 40 years
- John North, Gallery Management
- 50 years
- Linda George, 17th Hospitality
Events
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!
Driving Dialogue for Mental Health presented by Optum
- Friday, March 3: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
As we emerge from the pandemic, mental well-being is challenging the residents of our community, state, and nation more than ever. This forum will leverage the sport of golf and the global platform of THE PLAYERS Championship to bring together a panel of industry experts and those who’ve been personally impacted by mental health to raise awareness around and educate others about mental wellbeing. The forum will feature a candid conversation with the goal to share and learn, together, how we can raise awareness, break down stigmas and provide greater access to resources for our community beginning at adolescence.
PANELISTS:
- Lauren Cikara, VP, School Mental Health, Active Minds
- Valerie Duquette, MSW, LCSW, Director of CAIR Center, Flagler Health +
- Trip Hofer, CEO of Optum Behavioral Solutions
- Sheryl Johnson, Founder, Hearts 4 Minds
- Dr. Debra Katz, Senior National Medical Director, Optum Behavioral Health Solutions
MODERATOR:
- Scot “Froggy” Langley, co-host of the nationally syndicated Elvis Duran Show
- Any media interested in attending the panel presentation are required to RSVP in advance by contacting Miranda Rossum at mirandarossum@pgatourhq.com
Rob Strano Golf Clinic for the Deaf and Blind
Tuesday, March 7 (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Dye’s Valley, Hole 9
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Rob Strano Golf Clinic for the Deaf and Blind. Every year Rob Strano offers students at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind golf instruction in sign language. This is the only known golf clinic of its kind. The students range in age from 10-18 years old and most have never had exposure to the game of golf or the opportunity to attend THE PLAYERS.
The clinic will take place on the Dye’s Valley Course and will be followed by a hands-on experience at the 17th Hole Challenge presented by Optum, Morgan Stanley and Grant Thornton. The kids will have an opportunity to hit balls at the replica 17th hole from 12:15-12:45 p.m.
After 15 years as a professional golfer, Rob Strano decided to utilize his golf skills in order to help the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. In 2003, he began studying sign language in a quest to bridge an existing gap between the game of golf and the hearing impaired. By 2004, Strano held his first clinic in Florida and since has toured around the country bring the sport he loves to those who may have never been able to learn to golf.
These Kids Can Play
Wednesday, March 8
- 9:30-11:00 a.m.
- Stadium Village
The PGA TOUR Wives Association, the Furyk Foundation and TIAA Bank 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 is called “These Kids Can Play” and this year’s theme will be “Picnic in the Park.” This event offers children and families a day to enjoy the tournament and specially chosen games and activities.
Dream Day at THE PLAYERS
Wednesday, March 8
9:00 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. Afterwards, they will enjoy lunch and a behind-the-scenes tour.
The children will find out about their Dream Day during a surprise party on Wednesday, February 22, at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse.
THE PLAYERS Championship Caddie Competition in memory of Bruce Edwards
Wednesday, March 8
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.
Tesori Family Foundation All-Star Clinic
Wednesday, March 8 (4:00 p.m.); The Yards
The Tesori Family Foundation was founded in 2009 by Paul Tesori—former PGA TOUR player and current PGA TOUR caddie for THE PLAYERS 2018 champion Webb Simpson—along with his wife Michelle, to give back to those in need in the Northeast Florida community. In early 2014, after the much-anticipated arrival of baby Isaiah (and his extra special extra chromosome!), the foundation expanded to give back not only in Paul’s hometown community, but throughout the United States, adding specific programming for children with special needs including but not limited to children with Down syndrome. The All-Star Clinic invites children with special needs to a golf clinic at The Yards, and it has since expanded to other PGA TOUR events as well, serving more than 200 kids annually.
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.
Volunteer story suggestions:
- Profile Houston Bowles, 2023 tournament chairman. In this role, Houstonoversees the entire team of volunteers.
- THE PLAYERS has many families of volunteers. Interview a family to showcase why they volunteer and the mulit-generational
- Do a story about the PLAYERS Pride Awards and how this tradition came to be. Learn more: https://www.theplayers.com/volunteer/players-pride.html