JACKSONVILLE MAGAZINE’S
2019 CHAMP RORY MCILROY
THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP MARCH 9-15
TPC SAWGRASS PONTE VEDRA BEACH
• Northeast Florida’s biggest sporting and social event
A SUPPLEMENT TO JACKSONVILLE MAGAZINE
WELCOME TO THE PLAYERS rom March 10-15, the world’s top players will be in our area to vie for ‘their’ championship and take on the purest test in the game– THE PLAYERS Stadium Course. From Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods to Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy, the strongest collection of players has etched their names on THE PLAYERS trophy.
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But what makes this championship truly unique is that it is designed with you—our fans—in mind. Whether you’re a golf fanatic, foodie, family with young kids, military member, college student or socialite, there’s something for everyone at THE PLAYERS. This tournament earns its gold-standard label by continuously elevating itself in all areas each year. There are several new offerings and experiences being launched this year to continue to deliver on this promise, including: • Mobile-only and day-specific tickets THE PLAYERS has moved exclusively to mobile-only for all tickets, including dayspecific Stadium Passes. Tickets start as low as $25 and can be purchased at THEPLAYERS.com/tickets. Be sure to add them to your wallet right away! • Parking pass required every day Parking passes must be purchased separately and are now required Tuesday through Sunday. All parking passes must
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Jared Rice Executive Director THE PLAYERS Championship
be purchased in advance via THEPLAYERS.com/parking. As in years past, THE PLAYERS will offer fans free parking passes if they carpool with four or more people. These passes are limited and must be downloaded in advance. • The Chainsmokers Concert GrammyAward winning duo The Chainsmokers will take the stage on Tuesday, March 10, for our Military Appreciation Ceremony and Concert on the iconic Island Green 17th hole. Tuesday tickets cost just $45 plus tax and include access to the concert. • Kids 15 and under get in FREE Aligning its policy with TOUR-wide practices, kids 15 and younger are admitted free to THE PLAYERS when accompanied by a ticketed adult. • Exclusive Merchandise Stop by the more than 30,000-square foot PGA TOUR Fan Shop to stock up on exclusive gear. The Fan Shop will also be open to the public the weekend before the tournament—from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday March 7 and Sunday March 8—so that you can stock up before items sell out. We look forward to seeing you at THE PLAYERS this March for what promises to be another unforgettable week.
2020 CONTENTS 18 Welcome to THE PLAYERS ...... 4
At Your Service ...... 12
Tournament Map ...... 14 Short Games ...... 18 Tickets, Please ...... 24 The Schedule ...... 26 Show Time: The Chainsmokers ...... 28
Events Calendar ...... 30 Let’s Eat ...... 34
56
The Roads Less Traveled ...... 38 Numbers Game ...... 40
24
Families Bucket List ...... 42 Peek Inside Fred Funk’s Home ...... 44
70
Golf Fanatics Bucket List ...... 54 American Classics: Tourney Fashion ...... 56 Social Seekers Bucket List ...... 64 Very Superstitious ...... 66 You’re An All-Star ...... 70 What It’s Like ...... 74 Foodies Bucket List ...... 76
about the cover
Pete Dye’s Lasting Impact ...... 84 Course Guide ...... 88 About The Cover ...... 98
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THE PLAYERS 2019 Champion Rory Mcilroy photo by Damon Noisette
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Vote for the best places to Eat, Drink, Shop & Relax in Northeast Florida Each year, thousands of ballots are cast in our annual Best in Jax readers poll, supplying us with personal preferences for everything from local hair salons and shoe stores to barbecue joints and food trucks.
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1531 Osceola St., Jacksonville, FL 32204 (904) 389-3622 • Fax: (904) 389-3628 Website: www.jacksonvillemag.com VOLUME 9 • 2020
Digital
let’s get digital TOP ONLINE STORIES
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→ Edwards Waters College was the first inde-
Find a variety of Northeast Florida merch online at 904 Paper Company ↓
pendent higher learning institution in Florida opened to newly freed citizens While freed slaves were left on the outskirts of most aspects of society, one school in Live Oak opened its doors for inclusion → Local man first in
Salt de Terre
Florida to receive
Each year, thousands of ballots are cast in our annual Best in Jax readers poll,
less pacemaker Heart
supplying us with personal preferences for everything from local hair salons and
failure has met its tech-
shoe stores to barbecue joints and indulgent desserts. Your chance to let us know
nologically advanced
your go-tos for everything from fashion to fitness to food is approaching once
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again. The Best in Jax poll 2020 will be posted on our website this month and features over 100 categories.
→ A 1930s Ponte Vedra manse conveys a mod-
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We’ve moved the release of Bride from February to May and to correspond with the Best in Jax issue, we’re featuring a Best in Bride poll. Visit our website to let us know the best venues, photographers, makeup artists, and more.
everything from Hermés clad wallpaper bathrooms, leather detailed walk-in closets, and a dark, moody kitchen → What’s new in the local dining scene? Whole Foods and Bearded Pig head to the beach, Kazu Sushi Burrito
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May 2009
exapnds, and more → Where to hit the slopes in North Carolina While not as well-known for its powder as the bigname resort towns of Utah and Colorado, North Carolina boasts six ski resorts and destinations
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Sergio Garcia graced the cover of Jax Mag in May of 2009, back before THE PLAYERS Championship got its own dedicated guide. Inside details not only his 2008 win, but also his choice in attire— fans got to vote for what the golfer would wear to the tourney that year.
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groundbreaking wire-
UPCOMING EVENTS → March 4 Mom's Night Out
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With more than 30,000 subscribers, Jax Mag’s e-newsletters are your links to the latest happenings across Northeast Florida. Sign up for our newsletters at jacksonvillemag.com /newsletters and choose from topics like food and drink, home, travel and more.
→ March 6
San Marco Theatre
St. Augustine Fashion Week Season 6 Bozard Lincoln Ford → March 21 Ales for Tales Pup Crawl Graffiti Junction → March 28 Gateway City Craft Beer & Wine Festival Wilson Park
FOLLOW ALONG
→ March 31 Watercolor Workshop Atlantic Beach Brewing
Fine solid Bronze Architectural Hardware
4048 Herschel Street Jacksonville, FL 32205 rayware.com
Monday-Friday 8 am -5 pm Showroom Open to the Public 904.389.6659
OPEN TO PUBLIC
GET THE APP OPEN TO PUBLIC ADMISSIONS $ ATM AZ AUTOGRAPH ZONE
CONCESSIONS FIRST AID PRESENTED BY BAPTIST HEALTH i
INFORMATION
?
LOST AND FOUND
K FAN BLEACHERS
1. Public covered bleachers and deck with views of 16 and 10 A THE PLAYERS WELCOME EXPERIENCE 2. Public bleachers with covered deck and views of 16, 17 and 18 Activities for the whole family, plus food and drinks for purchase Concessions available at both locations • PGA TOUR Fan Shop • 17th Hole Challenge L TRUCKS ON 10 • THE PLAYERS Hitting Experience Local food and drinks for purchase • Cackylacky's B STADIUM VILLAGE • Chaunie’s Coffee Tented, climate-controlled venue featuring a variety of fun activities • Mama’s Food • GEICO • Pie95 Pizza • Lexus • Tikiz • Mayo Clinic • Valley Smoke • Michelob ULTRA • What’s the Catch • PGA TOUR Must See Moments M TACOS ON 12 C FOOD COURT TacoLu, Jacksonville’s most popular Baja Mexicana, serving Local food and drinks for purchase food and beverages. Venue includes seating and shaded areas • bibigo • Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q N FAN BLEACHERS PRESENTED BY PUBLIX • Daily’s Public covered bleachers and deck with views • Firehouse Subs of 12 and 13. Beverages available • Hawkers Asian Street Fare • M Shack O TASTE OF JAX • Tropical Smoothie Café
PG PRACTICE GROUNDS
RESTROOMS - ADA ACCESSIBLE PGA TOUR FAN SHOP WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE
D THE WINE LOUNGE PRESENTED BY MEIOMI WINES
TO FAMILY CARE SUITE PRESENTED
BY WOLFSON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
GREY GOOSE® open-air bar, seating, permanent restrooms and shaded area, plus local food and drinks for purchase • Cousins Maine Lobster • Homespun Kitchen • Mojo Kitchen • Zoe’s Kitchen
Public bleacher with views of 8 Green and drinks for purchase. Must be 21+
E
THE OASIS
Featuring the Sawgrass Splash and signature cocktails made with GREY GOOSE® Vodka. Must be 21+
PROPER CREDENTIALS REQUIRED
P
WINE & DINE ON 9 PRESENTED BY MEIOMI WINES Shaded venue with open-air seating and upscale food and drinks for purchase • Meiomi Wines • Restaurant Medure • Permanent Restrooms • Video Board
CS COMMISSIONER’S SUITE DM DAILY MARQUEE DP DYE’S PAVILION EC EXECUTIVE CLUB
Q COUPLES ENTRY Uber and rideshare pick-up and drop-off location
R KIDS ZONE PRESENTED BY NEMOURS CHILDREN’S HEALTH SYSTEM Open to the public featuring activities for kids and families
PROPER CREDENTIALS REQUIRED
G PALM VALLEY VILLAGE
IS ISLAND SUITE
S
Enjoy food from ABBQ and Bonefish Grill
PO PATRIOTS’ OUTPOST
Shaded venue with open-air seating, with food from V Pizza and drinks available for purchase
THE PLAYERS CLUB
I
PC PAST CHAIRMAN’S LOUNGE
T
PE PERFORMANCE CENTER
DISABLED GUESTS
J
DISABLED GUEST SERVICES SHUTTLE STOP
THE TURN PRESENTED BY GREY GOOSE®
GREY GOOSE® signature drinks, soft seating and HDTVs
SAWGRASS SQUARE
U THE BENEFACTOR FEATURING THE ULTRA CLUB
Local food and drinks for purchase • 4 Rivers Smokehouse • Mini Bar • Fan Shop Express • Past Champion Display
PM THE PLAYERS MARQUEE
GREENSIDE LOUNGE PRESENTED BY GREENWISE MARKET
Adjacent to 9 Green with soft seating, HDTVs, upgraded food and premium-bar options
H THE PATIO
PRESENTED BY UNITED RENTALS PP PROUD PARTNERS
The ULTRA Club, located on the first floor, will feature an upgraded food and beverage experience with unforgettable views on hole 17.
V CAPTAIN’S CLUB Premium club space with views of holes 16 and 18. Beer, wine, and soda are included; full bar and food available for purchase. Soft seating, televisions, and outdoor viewing create an exciting environment
MORGAN STANLEY EAGLES FOR IMPACT
Open to the public. Stop by to take a swing in a golf simulator and enter for a chance to win customized hats
TPC SAWGRASS • STADIUM COURSE HOLE
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11 12
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5
17
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IN
3
4
36
YARDS 424 558 302 181 481 470 523 137 462 3538
LOCATIONS ON THIS COURSE MAP ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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THE BIER GARDEN PRESENTED BY HOPTINGER
Featuring a variety of craft beers on tap located behind 16 Green
F
CC CHAMPIONSHIP CLUB
ELKINGTON ENTRY
TOTAL 72 7189
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VOLUNTEER VILLAGE VOLUNTEER ENTRANCE
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35 YPReIaNTrs IN
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Your dreams to ride.
Your hunger satisfied.
Your lovely bride.
Your
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JACKSONVILLE MAGAZINE’S
2018 CHAMP WEBB SIMPSON
THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP MARCH 12-17 TPC SAWGRASS PONTE VEDRA BEACH
• Northeast Florida’s favorite springtime tradition arrives early this year
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Your better you inside.
Your PLAYERS guide.
TIX
Your decorative side.
Your event tickets supplied.
More than 550,000 publications printed annually Showcasing Northeast Florida for more than 35 years. Shedding light on the city and recognizing the best of local culture. In print, online and at special events, the unique perspective of Jacksonville Magazine helps you get a read on it all.
SHORT GAMES NEED-TO-KNOW NUGGETS TO BETTER ENJOY THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENT
EYES ON THE PRIZE
THE PLAYERS unveiled a new Tiffany & Co. trophy at the 2019 tournament. The process began with inspiration of the swinging golfer from the iconic PGA TOUR logo. Then, through sophisticated computer modeling, designers incorporated aspects of each of the 38 different winners of THE PLAYERS—from Jack Nicklaus to Webb Simpson. This golfer’s form was then created into a mold using 3D-printing technology. The final result came from electroforming, which uses electric current to build up layers of a precious metal around a temporary core to create a smooth and seamless finish. The golfer stands atop the signature 17th island green, which includes intricate details like the signature Pete Dye pilings and the surrounding water.
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LIVE STREAM
For the first time in golf, every shot by every player will be live-streamed during all four rounds of THE PLAYERS this year. In total, 120 cameras will be placed throughout the Stadium Course to live stream more than 32,000 shots on PGA TOUR LIVE via NBC Sports Gold.
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CATCH IT ON THE TELLY
Did you know?
Thursday, March 12 Golf Channel 1-7 PM
• Prior to 2020, only 20% of the shots on the PGA TOUR are seen on television or through artificial intelligence.
Friday, March 13 Golf Channel 1-7 PM
• More than 5,000 play-by-play clips are produced per standard tournament.
Saturday, March 14 NBC Sports 2-7 PM
• The PGA TOUR is also working on “speed rounds” for each golfer shown on OTT platforms (PGA TOUR LIVE). If fans are not able to watch every round live, they’ll be able to watch a condensed version of a player’s round. It used to take a couple of hours to put together a speed round manually, but now these speed rounds are generated within 15 minutes of a player finishing.
Sunday, March 15 NBC Sports 1-6 PM
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THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT
The PGA TOUR is launching an all-new TOURCast product that allows fans to follow every shot from each group with a 3D rendering of the golf course and shot trails. The new platform also includes deep access to the ShotLink powered by CDW data, as well as video clips of every single shot available for fans to see, on demand. The launch of TOURCast at THE PLAYERS will mark the start of every event in the PGA TOUR Season being offered on the platform. TOURCast will be available on the PGA TOUR’s mobile apps and website.
GO MOBILE New in 2020, fans will be able to access tournament tickets at the convenience of their fingertips. THE PLAYERS Championship is embracing mobile-only ticketing for this year's tournament, which will ensure a best-inclass experience for the fans and include day-specific tickets that allow a better anticipated attendance for each day. Additionally, parking passes are now required every day of tournament week, Tuesday through Sunday, and must be purchased in advance—but those can be bought through mobile ticketing, too. Tickets are easy to set up on your smartphone through the PGA Tour App or on THE PLAYERS Championship website.
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Giving Back The PGA TOUR is more than a tournament, it is an organization that gives back. PGA TOUR officials announced that the PGA TOUR and its tournaments have surpassed $3 billion in an all-time charitable giving, just six years after surpassing $2 billion in 2014. This total includes a record of $204.3 million generated in 2019, bringing the all-time total to $3.05 billion. THE PLAYERS Championship, as the PGA TOUR’s flagship event, is a leader in charitable giving and impact as well, having generated more than $100 million for over 300 Northeast Florida charities since the tournament’s inception in 1974. THE PLAYERS’ charitable impact is made possible because of the collective effort and commitment from non-profits, including Dreams Come True, an organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children with life-threatening diseases. The collaboration began 35 years ago when a child’s dream was fulfilled at THE PLAYERS, the impact being carried on and helping fulfill 4,000 more children’s dreams. In 2019, Dreams Come True celebrated their 35th birthday and in honor of this special milestone, THE PLAYERS surprised Dreams Come True with a $60,000 donation to fund “A Year of Dreams.”
THE PLAYERS 2020
MARCH 10-15 TPC SAWGRASS, PONTE VEDRA BEACH
photo by Damon Noisette
Golf’s biggest names gather to compete against one another, challenge the imposing Stadium Course and perhaps take home a huge paycheck
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TICKETS, PLEASE… ONE-DAY STADIUM PASSES $45 (Tuesday + concert access) $25 (Wednesday) $65 (Thursday and Sunday) $70 (Friday and Saturday)
THE CAPTAIN’S CLUB $250 per day (Thursday-Saturday) (Beer, wine, and soda are included)
FAMILY PLAN
(ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 1) $130 (Thursday or Sunday) $140 (Friday or Saturday) Includes two adult Stadium Passes, free kids tickets and two $10 concession vouchers. Parking passes are not included. THE PLAYERS allows youth 15-and-under to attend for free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. This is consistent with the PGA TOUR’s youth admissions policy. As in the past, there is no limit to the number of youth that can enter free of charge with a ticketed adult (over the age of 18).
FREE ADMISSION is provided all week to National Guard, active duty, retired and reserve military personnel and their dependents. Veterans also receive discounted admission $20 (Tuesday and Wednesday); $30 (Thursday-Sunday). Valid military identification is required. All military personnel must verify their military status via https://birdiesforthebrave2.sheerid.com/theplayers2020/. Parking is not included in free admission.
COLLEGE & GRADUATE STUDENT
$55 (Thursday-Sunday) with a valid student ID To purchase a ticket, students should visit THEPLAYERS.com/tickets and then click on “College Student Offer.”
Tickets can be purchased via the PGA TOUR App or THEPLAYERS.com. Parking is purchased separately at THEPLAYERS.COM/parking.
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THE SCHEDULE SIX DAYS OF ACTION ON THE FAIRWAYS, GREENS AND AROUND THE GROUNDS OF THE STADIUM COURSE Tuesday, March 10 • Gates open at 7:30 AM • Practice Round • Military Appreciation Ceremony at 5 PM • The Chainsmokers concert
Wednesday, March 11 • Gates open at 7:30 AM • Practice Round
Thursday, March 12 • Gates open at 7:15 AM • First Round tees off 7:35 AM (threesomes off No. 1 & No. 10)
Friday, March 13 • Gates open at 7:15 AM • Second Round tees off 7:35 AM (threesomes off No. 1 & No. 10)
Saturday, March 14 • Gates open at 8 AM • Third Round tees off at 8:30 AM depending on the size of the cut (twosomes off No. 1)
Championship Sunday, March 15 • Gates open at 7:15 AM • Final Round tees off at 7:45 AM depending on the size of the cut (twosomes off No. 1)
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Find TacoLu at THE PLAYERS... # tacosontwelve
and off the course...
DAILY SELECTION
FRESH FISH TACOS!
HAPPY HOUR BRUNCH SAT & SUN 10 AM
TACOLU.COM 1712 BEACH BLVD., JACKSONVILLE BEACH 904.249.TACO
UPTHE IN SMOKE CHAINSMOKERS PERFORM AS PART OF MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
eparting from the country music concerts traditional to THE PLAYERS, this year’s event will feature a pop/EDM artist—Grammy-Winning duo The Chainsmokers—to perform at the Military Appreciation Ceremony on Tuesday, March 10 at TPC Sawgrass.
D
The Chainsmokers have always had a strong connection to the military. Back in 2017, the duo surprised nearly 500 soldiers at a training camp in South Carolina over the holidays. Now, they are selected to play their multi-platinum hits on the world-famous 17th hole stage to honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
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The stadium will be filled with excited fans, as one of the top music groups in the world will be playing alongside the best golfers in the world, all while generating impact for those who stand to protect and defend our freedom. The Chainsmokers have performed at the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Good Morning America, and are now launching their world tour beginning in September of this year. This Grammy-award winning duo has developed some of the biggest breakthrough songs over the last few years including “Roses,” “Don’t Let Me Down,” and “Closer,” which became the longest-running number-one single of 2016 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. u -Sam Lyster
Events Calendar FOOT RACES, CONCERTS, JOB FAIRS... AND 72 HOLES OF GOLF HE PLAYERS has grown to be much more than four days of professional golf played on a spectacular course. While that’s still the central reason for fans to flock to Ponte Vedra the second week in March, the tournament now includes numerous other happenings. Among them:
Prior to tournament week, retired, reserve, veterans and military spouses are invited to TPC Sawgrass on Saturday, March 7, 11 AM to 2 PM, at the Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost presented by United Rentals, to participate in the ninth annual Military Job Fair. More than 50 companies will be on hand, all with hiring opportunities.
OPENING WEEKEND
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY AND CHAINSMOKERS CONCERT
T
March 7-8 The PGA Tour Fan Shop will be open to the public before the tournament for fans to stock up on merch. No tickets required, and parking is free in the general lot.
MILITARY JOB FAIR AT THE PLAYERS Saturday, March 7
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Tuesday, March 10 Members of the nation’s armed forces receive special thanks from THE PLAYERS with a day dedicated to them and their service. A concert by Grammy award winning artists The Chainsmokers follows the Military Appreciation Ceremony at 5 PM.
BIRDIES FOR THE BRAVE PATRIOTS’ OUTPOST PRESENTED BY UNITED RENTALS Tuesday through Sunday Throughout tournament week, all active duty and reserve military members, military retirees, veterans and their dependents are invited into the Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost presented by United Rentals, a hospitality tent reserved exclusively for the military and offering complimentary food and beverages. Located near the tee at No. 16, last year more than 20,000 military members and their families were hosted here. Patriots’ Outpost officially opens on Tuesday at 10 AM.
Wednesday, March 11 Each year at THE PLAYERS (during the Wednesday practice round) players and caddies switch roles when they arrive at the famous 17th Hole and its iconic Island Green. On this afternoon the caddies get the opportunity to take a swing. Each player contributes to a prize fund and the caddie who ends up closest to the pin takes the money home. This tournament tradition honors Tom Watson’s longtime caddie and friend Bruce Edwards, who passed away in 2004 from ALS. Fans can keep track of how the caddies are doing, as closest-to-the-pin information is provided on the leaderboards surrounding No. 17.
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CHAPEL SERVICE Sunday, March 15 For the 36th year, THE PLAYERS will stage a Sunday morning service prior to the tournament’s final round, this year in Stadium Village located in THE PLAYERS Welcome Experience. Fans are encouraged to gather on the lawn for a sermon given by a local pastor. Seating is provided and complimentary coffee and donuts are available to all. 7-8 AM
CLOSING CEREMONIES Sunday, March 15 When the final putt drops on Sunday, there’s still more for fans to experience as the tournament champion is presented the winning trophy. THE PLAYERS closing ceremonies are held on the Lower Clubhouse Lawn (approximately 6 PM). Stick around as the 2020 winner signs a limited
number of commemorative pin flags to distribute to some lucky fans.
THE PLAYERS 5K WITH DONNA Saturday, May 9 THE PLAYERS continues its partnership with The DONNA Foundation, hosting a 5K race expected to draw a capacity field of 1,750 runners. The race starts at 8:30 AM and winds through THE PLAYERS Stadium Course’s back nine holes at TPC Sawgrass. Net proceeds go to breast cancer research at Mayo Clinic and care for those living with the disease. To date, the event has raised nearly $500,000 for the foundation. Participants receive a t-shirt and a ticket to the tournament. A postrace celebration and awards ceremony takes place near the finish. u
photo by PGA TOUR
17th HOLE CADDIE COMPETITION
V Pizza TacoLu
MOJO BBQ
GREY GOOSE Vodka Meiomi Wines
Mini Bar
LET’S EAT! SAMPLING SOME OF THE TASTY FARE AT THE PLAYERS E
very square foot of the Stadium Course has been specifically designed to maximize the competitor’s experience. The same goes for all food and drink selections provided for fans as well. From Tacos on 12 and Trucks on 10 to the exclusivity of THE PLAYERS Club, there is something for practically every taste and budget. Many of the most popular vendors return year after year, serving up delicious eats at locations peppered around the course. Here’s
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a brief overview of what’s being served this year.
FOOD COURT Located to the left of the Nicklaus Entry entrance, the Food Court is a public venue laden with tasty eats from local favorites. There’s shaded seating here, so everyone can grab a bite to eat and meet up for a family picnic. Diners can expect Po’Boys and ribs from Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q, Asian favorites from Hawkers Street Fare, sub sand-
wiches from Firehouse Subs, hand-cut fries and burgers from MShack, and wraps, flatbreads and salads from Tropical Smoothie Café.
THE OASIS Open to the public (though you must be 21+), The Oasis features signature cocktails made with GREY GOOSE Vodka, the official vodka of the PGA TOUR. Positioned between 9 and 18 tee boxes, the venue debuted in 2012. The area features an air-condi-
WINE AND DINE ON 9
THE OASIS tioned space, where food and drinks are available for purchase, plus a rear deck for views of No. 9 tee.
THE PATIO A fan favorite since it debuted in 2011, The Patio offers a shaded fan zone that includes open-air seating and a videoboard to keep up with the tournament. The Patio features food from V Pizza. The Patio is located between 10 tee and 18 green/16 tee.
TACOS ON 12 A Jax Beach staple, TacoLu returns to its familiar spot at THE PLAYERS. However, fans may now enjoy new shaded bleacher seating and a deck nearby. The city’s most popular taco joint will be serving menu favorites and tequila-laced beverages at the public venue nestled between the 12th green and the 13th tee.
TASTE OF JAX Located between 11 green and 12 tee, this public venue offers flavors from local eateries, a GREY GOOSE open-air bar, permanent restrooms and video boards to keep up with the tournament. This year, the venue features restaurants Homespun Kitchen, Cousins Maine Lobster, MOJO BBQ, and Zoës Kitchen.
THE PLAYERS CLUB THE PLAYERS Club is an exclusive hospitality experience with reserved space inside the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse as well as No. 17 tee and No. 18 green. This high-end, allinclusive VIP experience features
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food prepared by top chefs from across the country, top-shelf cocktails and premier views on course at the tournament’s two finishing holes.
TRUCKS ON 10
THE BIER GARDEN PRESENTED BY HOPTINGER Adjacent to the Couples Entry in the old Courtyard location, visitors will have the option to take a break in Hoptinger’s Bier Garden. Visitors will have a variety of craft beers on tap to choose from, everything from kolshes to stouts.
Tucked in a shady area between No. 10 fairway, No. 11 fairway and No. 15 green, this public venue offers flavors from favorite Jax area food trucks, an upgraded restroom and an open-air Michelob ULTRA Mobile Bar. Trucks on 10 has seating for fans and includes eats Valley Smoke, Mama’s Food, Pie95 Pizza, Cackylacky’s, What’s the Catch, Chaunie’s Coffee and Tikiz.
GREY GOOSE® BLOODY MARY BARS
WINE & DINE ON 9
MISCELLANEOUS FOOD AND BEVERAGE
PRESENTED BY MEIOMI WINES Fans can enjoy small plates prepared by renowned local chefs Matthew and David Medure. And what’s a fine meal without a glass of wine? New in 2020, Wine & Dine on 9 will feature Meiomi Wines, the official wine partner of the PGA TOUR. Located left of 9 fairway, there are also permanent restrooms just a few steps away.
SAWGRASS SQUARE Located near the Davis Love III Entry, Sawgrass Square contains some of the tastiest local sweets that Jacksonville has to offer. Mini Bar will be serving 16 different flavors of their signature mini-sized donuts including maple bacon, fruity pebbles, samoa and more. Joining Mini Bar is a Texas-style smokehouse, 4 Rivers Smokehouse.
Near the Couples Entry (open until 11 AM) and THE PLAYERS Welcome Experience (open all day)
BUBBA Burger burgers will be served throughout the course as an added fan enhancement. Bold Bean Coffee Roasters is new to THE PLAYERS and will be pouring at select concessions stands.
MICHELOB ULTRA MOBILE BUILD-A-BAR Near Trucks on 10 and behind 16 green
FAN BLEACHERS Located on the 12 green and 13 fairway, fan bleachers presented by Publix provide an excellent area for shaded viewing for fans as well as concessions for purchase. There are also two other fan bleachers, one located at the 16 tee and one located behind the 17 green. u
THE ROADS
Less Traveled MAKE YOUR “DRIVE” OUT TO THE PLAYERS EASIER BY PLANNING AHEAD
T
raffic. Nobody likes it, but it’s an unavoidable nuisance that comes with major spectator events like THE PLAYERS.
Tournament management and the local police are well aware of the traffic snarls and actively work to alleviate some of the driver strain by offering a variety of options for getting to and from TPC Sawgrass, including a new, dedicated turning lane into the general parking lot off of CR 210 that will bring spectators directly to the tournament’s main entry, the Nicklaus Entry.
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Also new in 2020, parking passes are now required every single day of tournament week, Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday & Wednesday parking costs $15 per day and Thursday- Sunday costs $40 per day. Parking is expected to sell out, so fans are urged to purchase their daily passes online in advance at THEPLAYERS.com/parking. As in years past, THE PLAYERS will continue to offer fans free parking passes if they carpool with four or more people. These passes are limited and must be reserved online.
Ride Share The tourney features a designated staging area for rideshare vehicles, located near the Couples Entrance off of ATP Boulevard. Uber, the preferred ride sharing partner of THE PLAYERS, will drop off and pick up at the Couples Entry off of ATP Boulevard, which is just steps from the 15th hole. Rideshare vehicles will be staged outside the Couples Entry making this one of the easiest modes of transportation for spectators.
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Did you know? From 2018 to 2019 alone, THE PLAYERS saw a 63% increase in the number of Uber rides to and from the tournament.
Pedal Power Complimentary bike parking is available beginning at 7:30 AM each day. Spectators can ride their bikes to Gate B located inside the Sawgrass gates off of PGA TOUR Boulevard in the back of lot 5. Bike racks are available free of charge.
Downtown Shuttles Shuttle buses will run to and from TPC Sawgrass to several Downtown Jax hotels including the Omni Jacksonville, Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront and the Lexington Hotel. The service is offered to hotel guests and local residents. Passes are $20 and available online.
Golf Cart Parking Free golf cart spaces are offered Tuesday through Sunday at Gate B located inside the TPC Sawgrass Gates and in the back of lot 5.
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NUMBERS GAME THE PLAYERS Championship history
photo by Damon Noisette
million $9.25
69 300
Dollars the 2019 PLAYERS generated for local charities
feet, 7 inches
LONGEST BIRDIE PUTT MADE AT HOLE 17, BY JHONATTAN VEGAS
NUMBER OF LOCAL CHARITIES THE PLAYERS HAS SUPPORTED
51.77% 15
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Of players who find the fairway off the tee on the par-5 2nd hole (since ShotLink began in 2003); this is the toughest Fairway to hit at TPC Sawgrass
International players have won THE PLAYERS
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45 Number of balls that found the water on the 17th hole at the 2019 tournament
12,000
2,000
Number of volunteers who make this tournament’s charitable impact possible
84
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF MAN HOURS WORKED BY THE AGRONOMY STAFF DURING TOURNAMENT WEEK ALONE
NUMBER OF BUNKERS ON THE PLAYERS STADIUM COURSE – 52 ON THE FRONT NINE AND 32 ON THE BACK. #17 IS THE ONLY HOLE ON THE COURSE THAT HAS ONE BUNKER.
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Bucket List FAMILIES Everything about THE PLAYERS was designed with a fans-first approach, from the stadium-style seating, to the outside-the-ropes experiences and the new venues and food and beverage offerings each and every year. Here’s how to make your on-site fan experiences as easy, fun memorable, and family-friendly as possible.
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Stop by the PGA TOUR Fan Shop at THE PLAYERS Welcome Experience to stock up on golf balls, hats and pin flags for getting autographs! Remember: BYOS. Bring your own sharpies!
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Visit the autograph zones at the practice grounds and the scoring area behind 18 green. Each zone also has a “kid corner” to ensure little ones get something signed by their favorite players.
Take a picture (or a selfie!) on the 17th hole with the iconic Island Green in the background.
Stop by the Morgan Stanley Eagles for Impact tent (along 18 fairway) to test your financial knowledge and your golf swing in a simulation of TPC Sawgrass’ iconic 17th hole.
Check out the Kids Zone presented by Nemours Children’s Health System (near 8 green), featuring a coloring wall, photo booth and putting green, among other activities.
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When it’s potty time, head over to The Patio to use the permanent restrooms. Yay, no porta potties! While you’re here, grab a slice from V Pizza.
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Test your skills on 17! Head over to The 17th Hole Challenge presented by Morgan Stanley, Grant Thornton and Optum in THE PLAYERS Welcome Experience, where kids can take two free shots at the replica Island Green or purchase an additional chance for a $5 donation to The First Tee of North Florida.
Get a fist bump from a player: For a good 50 feet, players and fans walk side by side from the 12th green to the 13th tee, making this path the perfect place to get a fist bump from your kids’ favorite players. #daymade
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Hole In One
A look inside golfer Fred Funk’s Ponte Vedra home words by
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Virginia Chamlee •
photos by
Agnes Lopez
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t was 2005 when Fred Funk won THE PLAYERS Championship, earning a purse that included some $1.44 million and a hefty Waterford Crystal trophy. And despite the many accolades and media interviews that followed, his home life was decidedly unglamorous. “We had no furniture and we were drinking out of the trophy on fold-up chairs,” laughs his wife, Sharon. The couple had just completed the buildout of their Marsh Landing home three months prior and, due to the rigors and travel required of the job, hadn’t yet completed their move. Fast forward some 15 years later and the house— which was designed by Sharon’s brother, an architect with Overland Partners in San Antonio, Texas—has become a home, albeit one the couple will soon be leaving, in favor of slightly smaller digs. Their kids—now ages 20 and 24—grew up in the home, which sits on a sprawling, waterfront lot and encompasses three properties: a main house, a guest house, and a game house, which doubles as a museum of sorts to house Funk’s many trophies. The main house is a three-bedroom with a media room and dining room and the guest house also includes three bedrooms and a small kitchenette. The game house includes a gym, trophy room, pool table, pingpong table and an oversized television. “We’ve used this house big-time,” muses Fred. “It’s been a place for family reunions and for our kids to bring their friends—as many as 25 kids would be here at once. We had a boat and we water-skied just about every day out back. It was a great gathering house.” It’s also served as something of a revolving door for many of the families who the Funks have helped over the years. When golfer Justin Leonard told Funk about a friend in need of a liver transplant, the Funks moved him in their home for three months. “He lived in Texas but Mayo was the best treatment option for him, so he and his whole family moved in to the guest house.” Another couple moved in after adopting a child from Uganda, ultimately living in the home for two-and-a-half years and helping look after the property while the Funks were on the road. The design of the house is ideal for hosting guests, offering views of the Intracoastal from nearly every room, and allowing plenty of space for entertaining. “Everybody has their space,” notes Fred. The prairie-style home makes great use of the surrounding landscape, highlighting the outdoors and offering a quiet escape from the couple’s busy life. “I just love the activity on the water,” says Fred. “Huge barges go by, boats—and you see dolphins quite a lot. The way the sun rises in the east and lights up the trees outside…it’s just beautiful.”
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Many of the furnishings in the home—including the coffee table pictured on page 45—came from overseas in a container, after Sharon sourced them while antiquing in Belgium.
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mm Though she doesn’t often get attached to her finds, this pair of vintage alabaster candlesticks are two of her favorite pieces. “I found them at [local discount furniture store] Shep’s,” says Sharon. “There were all sorts of antiques scattered around and I picked these up and asked a woman working there, ‘What are these?’ She said, ‘Oh, I don’t know, they were in a fire; they’re from the Civil War.” They wound up being 25 bucks each.”
mm Funk, who joined the PGA Tour in 1989, houses most of his trophies in the game room. Here, he poses in front of a painting of his 2005 PLAYERS win.
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mm A pair of lived-in
leather armchairs offer a prime location to catch up on Netflix— or, more likely, the Golf Channel—in the couple’s home theater room.
TOP PHOTO: MARK MARTELLI, MARTELLI PROCUTIONS
mm “We’re not too precious
with our things. If something breaks, it’s fine. We want everything to be livable,” says Sharon. “Dansel [the couple’s very friendly Labrador retriever] is always right next to us, even on the couch.” JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM
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mm The oversized portrait of Jesus was painted by an artist using only one tool—his own hands—during a PGA Tour Bible study hosted at the Funk’s home. “It’s one of the only things I’m taking with me when we move,” says Sharon. “Everything else can stay.”
mm A mix of vintage
and modern accessories sits in the hallway leading to the master bedroom. “The decor has changed two or three times,” says Sharon. “I painted all the darker wood and made it lighter, so it became a little more transitional.”
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Bucket List GOLF FANATICS You arrive the minute the entries open and stay until the final putt drops. You are the die-hard golf fans, bringing the enthusiasm and energy the to this tournament each and every day. Use the below bucket list to make sure you didn’t miss any of the action on the golf course.
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Watch guys warm up on the practice grounds: the mound by #3 tee Check out the jumbo videoboard to see how far each player is hitting it and to stay up-to-date on what’s happening out on the course.
Watch players tee off and putt on a testy par 3: #8 Thanks to elevated mounding behind the green, this hole is the perfect place to watch players hit their tee shots and putt on this undulating green. If you’re 21+, grab a seat in the Wine Lounge presented by Meiomi Wines for an even cooler birds-eye view.
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Watch players go for the green in two shots: #16 73% of players have gone for the green in two on the 16th hole. Since 1983, there have been 6,732 birdies and 452 eagles made on the 16th hole. #theeaglehaslanded
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Watch an almost private practice session: Back side of the practice grounds (left of #4 green) Best time to go: Between the end of the morning wave of tee times and the start of the afternoon wave.
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Get away from the crowds and get really close to the action: #6 green Course designer Pete Dye called this hole “the most beautiful hole on the course.”
Watch players drive the green: #12 The excitement is sure to unfold on this drivable par-4. Last year, 76% of the field went for the green off the tee, and 23% were successful. This is the ultimate example of risk-reward. Watch at your own risk.
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Watch players ‘thread the needle’ off the tee: #15 tee This dogleg right par-4 presents players with a tough and tight tee shot through a chute of trees and over water. It is a quintessential Pete Dye hole.
Witness the coolest hole in all of golf: #17 Hey, it’s called THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass for a reason. This hole is epic, for more reasons than one… the iconic hole, the incredible views, the amphitheater atmosphere, and the do-or-die drama all unfolding before your eyes.
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Classics Dress to impress while spectating in sunny, sporty fashions
photographer // Agnes Lopez hair // Brooke Mendoza, Ten Salon makeup // Carrie Wilson stylist // DonnaReine Enterprise models // Kayla Carter & Xavier Brown
Kayla: skirt ($368), sweater ($200), earrings ($45), Cordani wedges ($250), Emly Benham; blouse ($80), bangles ($15 each), infinity rings ($10 each), necklace ($145), Jaffi’s; purse ($19), Stein Mart; Xavier: Peter Millar shirt ($148), Bryon sport jacket ($795), Teleria selvedge denim ($295), Dents leather gloves ($185), pocket square ($80), Rosenblum’s; Peter Millar sneakers ($195), Beau Outfitters
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Shirt ($30), vest ($35), pants ($35), hat ($10), socks ($5), Stein Mart; crystal bracelets ($15 each), Jaffi’s; shoes, stylist’s own ULTIMATE GUIDE 2020
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Kayla: pants ($328), chord necklace ($185), Emly Benham; earrings ($9.99), Stein Mart; bangles ($15-25 each), shoes ($148), top ($65), infinity rings ($10 each), pearl & silver necklace ($215), Jaffi’s; necklace–as belt ($65), Beau Outfitters; Xavier: shirt ($270), Peter Millar pullover ($195), Teleria selvedge denim ($295), Rosenblum’s; belt ($45), loafers ($225), Beau Outfitters
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Xavier: pants ($88), shirt ($115), watch ($225), belt ($175), socks ($50), Beau Outfitters; Peter Millar shoes ($199), Rosenblum’s; MCM sunglasses ($229), Vision Today; Kayla: sweater ($200), cuff ($185), clutch ($40), Golden Goose sneakers ($495), belt ($155), earrings ($50), necklace ($25), Emly Benham; shorts ($139), bangles ($15 each), infinity rings ($10 each), Jaffi’s; socks ($10), Stein Mart; Dolce & Gabana sunglasses ($419), Vision Today
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Shirt ($115), Beau Outfitters; shorts ($40), booties ($30), Stein Mart; earrings ($45), Emly Benham; bracelets ($40 each), Jaffi’s; Roberto Cavalli sunglasses ($379), Vision Today JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM
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Shirt ($29.99), shorts ($29.99), shoes ($69.99), socks ($9.99), bracelets ($9.99) Stein Mart; belt ($175), Beau Outfitters; Peter Millar pullover ($125), Rosenblum’s ULTIMATE GUIDE 2020
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Xavier: Peter Millar shirt ($148), pullover ($125), shoes ($199), Rosenblum’s; jeans ($88), belt ($45), watch ($225), Beau Outfitters; Ray Bans ($259) Vision Today; Kayla: DonnaReine Romper ($148), donnareine.com; Jimmy Choo pumps ($750), Emly Benham; necklace ($30), earrings ($25), Beau Outfitters; MCM sunglasses ($389), Vision Today JACKSONVILLEMAG.COM
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Bucket List SOCIAL SCENE SEEKERS THE PLAYERS is the place to see and to be seen. For all of you “Social Scene Seekers” who have serious cases of #FOMO, here’s how to ensure your experience at THE PLAYERS is one you—and all of your followers— will remember forever.
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Try the Sawgrass Splash—the tourney’s signature drink—at The Oasis (must be 21+).
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Go to The Chainsmokers Concert: Grammy-award winning duo The Chainsmokers will perform at the Military Appreciation Ceremony and Concert at 5 PM on Tuesday, March 10. Tuesday tickets cost just $45 plus tax and include access to the concert.
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Sit on the hill overlooking the Island Green 17th hole—the place to see and be seen. If sitting in the grass isn’t your style, check out the Fan Bleachers behind the green. Hint: The sun setting behind the 17th hole is a guaranteed #gramslam
Sip and savor: Head over to Wine & Dine on 9 presented by Meiomi Wines to sip and savor some of the best varietals from Meiomi and enjoy gourmet plates from Matthew Medure. Be sure to also visit the Wine Lounge presented by Meiomi Wines on 8 green (must be 21+), featuring a bar, photo moment station, on-site embroidery and a birds-eye view of the action.
Show off your swing: Test your skills at the 17th Hole Challenge presented by Morgan Stanley, Grant Thornton and Optum, a replica of the worldfamous island green.
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Merch or it didn’t happen: Stop by the PGA TOUR Fan Shop at THE PLAYERS Welcome Experience to stock up on exclusive gear: New in 2020, THE PLAYERS has partnered with Vineyard Vines on an exclusive t-shirt.
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Selfies with the pros: Check out the digital “selfie kiosks” at the PGA TOUR Fan Shop and Stadium Village, where you can choose which players you’d like to take a virtual selfie with and then immediately post on social.
And don’t forget to connect on social @THEPLAYERSChamp on Twitter, @THEPLAYERS on Facebook, @theplayerschamp on Instagram
VERY SUPERSTITIOUS WHILE ALL OF THE GOLFERS AT THE PLAYERS HAVE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TALENT, THEY DON’T DISCOUNT THE HELP OF A LITTLE GOOD LUCK—AND DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO BRING THAT LUCK TO THEM
ll of us golfers are crazy superstitious. If one of them says they’re not, they’re lying,” says Russell Knox. “Do I have any weird ones like three tees in the pocket? No, but I think I do a lot of similar things without knowing.”
“
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Sergio García won’t make a shot until he has the perfect grip. “If it takes me a hundred regrips, it's all right—I'm not going to hit a shot until I'm ready," Sergio García says. "If it annoys you, don't look until you hear the click."
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“I always carry a 1936 quarter in my pocket. It is the same quarter I’ve had for close to 15 years,” says Billy Horschel. Beyond the good luck charm, Horschel is also particular about his gear. “I use the same divot repair tool I’ve had since my second year on Tour and keep four tees. If I break a tee, I have to replace it with a new one right away.” "I wear red on Sundays because my mom thinks that that's my power color," Tiger Woods says. "And you know you should always listen to your mom." Ian Poulter claims he doesn’t have superstitions, yet he has a handful of specific habits (that sound to us a lot like superstitions). “I won’t have more than three tee pegs in my pocket, I will never use tails up on a coin if I use a coin, I’ll never use a yellow tee peg, and I don’t use number three golf balls,” he says. ◊
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YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR HOW THE PAIRING OF A LOCAL FOUNDATION AND THE PGA TOUR ARE ON PAR TO CREATE THE GOLFING EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
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ll parents want their children to be happy and have a fair shot at whatever it is they choose to go after. The Tesori family is no different, except when working to help their own child achieve they wanted to help others, as well. In 2014, Paul and Michelle Tesori welcomed their son, Isaiah, who was diagnosed with Down Syn-
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drome. After his birth, the family decided to expand the children’s foundation they already had in place to include programs for kids with special needs and expand the reach of The Tesori Foundation across the country. After their son was born, the Tesoris teamed up with the PGA Tour and other organizations to host their first All-Star Kids Clinic in North Carolina. Since then, the All-
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Star Kids Clinic, a golf event that promises a day of instruction and joy for special needs children ages 8-18, has been available to kids on all stops of the PGA Tour, including Northeast Florida. The event allows the children to have one-on-one interactions with PGA Tour coaches, players and caddies with the goal of showing the fun of being an allstar golfer. At the last Ponte Vedra Beach
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PLAYERS Championship on October 14, the All-Star Kids Clinic hosted 25 special needs children at TPC Sawgrass with The First Tee of North Florida. The kids worked their way through four different stations, including the driving range and sixhouse putting course, and were treated to demonstrations from LPGA Tour player Amelia Lewis and PGA Tour player Ryan Blaum. Because of this event, children like Charlie and Penelope have fallen in love with golf. Charlie is an eightyear-old with Down Syndrome and sensory issues. “He is usually a spectator when it comes to sports,
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but at the All-Star Kids Clinic, Charlie was really hands-on and loved participating,” says his mother, Mary McAllister. “Seeing Charlie smiling and interested in the sport of golf makes this an event we look forward to each year. We are so thankful that kids like Charlie are given this unique opportunity.” Joni Magnusson, Penelope’s mother, says that “the All-Star Kids Clinic allows individuals with a cognitive impairment a day in the spotlight; a day to be the VIP during one of golf’s biggest events.” Attending this clinic made Pene-
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lope a golf fan who is “cheering on her two favorite caddies—Paul (Webb Simpson’s Caddie) and Michael (Jordan Spieth’s Caddie)— every single week.” Paul Tesori, former PGA Tour player and current PGA caddie, and his wife, Michelle Tesori, founded The Tesori Family Foundation over a decade ago as a way to give back to their Northeast Florida home community. While their foundation has benefitted several charities throughout the community, their move to give children with special needs a shot to find a love of golf is certainly a hole in one. ◊
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WHAT IT’S LIKE
THE 5 THOUGHTS LIKELY TO ENTER YOUR HEAD WHEN PLAYING THE STADIUM COURSE
PHOTOGRAPHY & WORDS BY DAMON NOISETTE t's unavoidable. The thought creeps in the moment you make the tee time to play the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.
I
Will I hit the green on 17? Still, you have to find out for yourself how your game compares to the best in the world at one of the few famous tournament venues in golf actually open to the public. Should I even be here? You ask yourself why you would pay $500 for a tee time and another $115 (plus a $50 tip) to take a caddie, going for the full tour pro experience, only to potentially shoot your worst round in years.
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On your way over to the practice area, you may catch a glimpse of the ageless 34-time PGA TOUR winner Vijay Singh all the way at the back of the range, the part only pros can use, tirelessly hitting balls as only he can. As tempting as it may be to stick around the allworld practice facility, chipping off the immaculately maintained turf and blasting out of the powdery bunkers, your caddie and the first tee awaits. The butterflies will come in spades later, but at least the first hole is a warm welcome. A solid drive down the left side sets up a simple shot into an inviting green and then you’re off to the par five second,
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your best chance at birdie on the front side. At 6,670 yards from the blue tees, the opening stretch isn’t overly long or penal, and you might even be lulled into asking yourself the absolute wrong question. Could it be this easy? No, it isn’t. The dogleg right 446-yard fifth hole plays even longer than advertised, as it almost always plays into a breeze coming off the Atlantic. The par three eighth is an into-the-wind long iron and the ninth requires three good shots just to get on the green in regulation.
The reprieve you get on the 10th hole quickly gives way to a question of greed on the par five 11th and driveable 12th. From there it’s all about survival until you reach the famous closing stretch, starting at the reachable par five 16th hole. If your gamble to go for the green in two pays off, you might be riding high with visions of duplicating Rickie Fowler’s amazing eaglebirdie-birdie finish to force a playoff in 2015. It all comes down to this. So much has been written about the world famous 17th hole at the Stadium Course. Dye’s creation is an image burned into the memo-
ries of golfers worldwide and it’s treachery has doomed so many promising rounds by even the greatest players. But you’re not Sergio Garcia, who has experienced both the agony (2013) and ecstasy (2008) of 17. There is no scar tissue; for you it’s just a single swing. Trust the number you’re given, hand your phone to your caddie for a video, and focus on your target—the dead center of the green. One more to go. Whatever relief or grief you may be feeling after finishing the 17th hole
is immaterial because the tee shot on the 18th hole awaits, presenting a final challenge for your long game. Do you take the approach of 2019 PLAYERS Champion Rory McIlroy and swing as hard as you can, trusting your fade to bring the ball back into the fairway off the massive lake that guards the entire left side? When the final putt drops and you turn to head back into the stately clubhouse, don’t forget to thank your looper and make sure to pick up your complimentary engraved bag tag. The bar in Nineteen awaits and you deserve it. ◊
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Bucket List FOODIES All food options at THE PLAYERS are Insta-worthy, believe us. And we also pride ourselves in showcasing over 20 local restaurants, chefs and vendors from the Northeast Florida area, because this is our hometown event, after all. There are so many incredible options to choose from, so why limit yourself? Try them all!
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Stay local! Head to Taste of JAX (behind 12 tee) which offers local flavors from some of your favorite Jacksonville restaurants, including Homespun Kitchen, Cousins Maine Lobster, Mojo BBQ and Zoe’s Kitchen.
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As soon as you enter THE PLAYERS Welcome Experience, get your day started at the Food Court, featuring plenty of options to choose from (picnic at THE PLAYERS, anyone?): Bono’s Pit Bar-B-Q, Firehouse Subs, Hawkers Asian Street Fare, M Shack, Tropical Smoothie Café and Daily’s, and bibigo.
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The #foodstagram continues at Palm Valley Village (near 9 green), featuring ABBQ and Bonefish Grill.
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Don’t forget to hydrate! You have a delicious day ahead of you. Grab some beverages from Daily’s Grab-n-Go or stop by the GREY GOOSE Bloody Mary Bar for a stronger start to the day.
Head to Tacos on 12, featuring dishes from Jacksonville’s most popular Baja Mexicana, Taco Lu.
Start your engines…it’s food truck time. Trucks on 10, offers flavors from renowned local food trucks, including: Valley Smoke, Pie95 Pizza, Cackylacky’s, What’s the Catch, Chaunie’s Coffee, Mama’s and Tikiz. Aka, a foodie’s dream.
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Grab a slice of V Pizza in The Patio (near 10 tee). And while you’re here, take advantage of the permanent restrooms!
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How about a little sugar rush? Stop by Mini Bar, located in Sawgrass Square near the Davis Love III Entry, to taste some delicious mini-sized donuts from this Jacksonville staple. #holeinone
Visit Wine & Dine on 9 presented by Meiomi Wines to sip and savor some of the best varietals from Meiomi and enjoy gourmet plates from Matthew Medure, one of Northeast Florida’s most renowned chefs.
JACKSONVILLE MAGAZINE’S HOME The region’s premier home & garden publication. • Twice annually.
jacksonvillemag.com
Thursday, April 30 • 7-9 PM Brick & Beam #RoseSoireeJax
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DREAMS COME TRUE OF JACKSONVILLE
Journey – 2019 DCT5K Ambassador
6803 SOUTHPOINT PKWY. • JACKSONVILLE, FL 32216 • (904) 296-3030 • DREAMSCOMETRUE.ORG
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very year, thousands of families are given the news that their child has been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. Many of them live right here on the First Coast. For these families, life is instantly changed. School days are replaced with hospital stays, play dates are exchanged for radiation treatments, and the simple joy of watching their child sleep silently in bed is now shadowed by the fear that he or she may not reach another birthday. Dreams Come True is the First Coast’s only locally-based, wishgranting organization dedicated to using the power of a dream to bring hope and joy to every First Coast child
battling a life-threatening illness. Since 1984, the organization has fulfilled the dreams of over 4,000 local children. No child is ever denied a dream and no child is ever placed on a waiting list and, unless otherwise designated, 100% of all donations go directly toward dream fulfillment. Dreams Come True currently has more than 400 dreamers, with dreams ranging from trips to Disney World to the opportunity to meet a celebrity or snuggle with a puppy. There are a number of ways members of the community can get involved with the organization, from sponsoring dreams to volunteering at local fundraising events. Other Dreams
Come True programs include holiday family adoptions (when volunteers can purchase gifts or groceries in preparation for special occasions) and Kids Helping Kids, a program by which students can help raise money to sponsor dreams via car-washes, bake sales and other drives. You can follow Dreams Come True and their daily happenings on Facebook @DreamsComeTrueJAX
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JACKSONVILLE SCHOOL FOR AUTISM
9000 CYPRESS GREEN DR. • JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256 • (904) 732-4343 • WWW.JSAKIDS.ORG
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t Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA), we believe every student should have the opportunity for a meaningful and safe experience while navigating through educational and interpersonal growth. For us, this is personal. Founded by Michelle & Mark Dunham, parents who navigated their own son’s autism diagnosis, JSA is all about commitment to your child. We deliver science-based education and create a purpose driven opportunity for your child’s future. At JSA, we champion each student’s educational journey and believe in their intelligence. EDUCATE, ENGAGE, and INSPIRE, it’s what we do each and every day at JSA. JSA is a not-for-profit, private school established in 2005 as a full-
service k-12 and vocational center for students and young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). JSA’s STEP Vocation Model is recognized as a leader in supportive transition and employment support and is preparing a pathway for independence for young adults. JSA is dedicated to helping students build a foundation for academic, behavioral and social success through individual learning assessments, a low teacher-to-student ratio, and a team of skilled and supportive staff who build strong relationships with our students. We also expect involvement from the families of our students, knowing that this partnership will ensure our efforts to prepare students for the demands of life and engage-
ment in society. THANK YOU to the Red Coat Grant Committee and each of the staff members at THE PLAYERS for your VERY GENEROUS gift of a brand new 15 passenger bus in June of 2018!! This gift became a gateway of opportunity affording JSA students the ability to travel to and from multiple job sites every day in the STEP Program. You are truly making a difference in the lives of children and adults with autism in Northeast Florida!
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ANGELWOOD
P.O. BOX 24925 • JACKSONVILLE, FL 32241 • (904) 288-7259 • ANGELWOODJAX.ORG
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ince 2003, Angelwood has been providing a safe and fun summer day camp for children ages 5-22 years old living with intellectual or developmental differences. We are equipped to accept children that need assistance with feeding, toileting, ambulation, and more. We are excited to announce that Angelwood is accepting siblings (completion of pre-k through 5th grade) to enroll for an integrated camp experience. Activities will be based on age and interest while encouraging inclusion. To register, view camp information and learn more about Angelwood visit angelwoodjax.org. We are grateful for our partnership with THE PLAYERS and The PGA TOUR as we support adults, children, and families living with developmental and intellectual disabilities in our community. Follow us! @AngelwoodJax Proudly Providing Unparalleled Services for Children, Adults and Families Living with Disabilities
CITY YEAR JACKSONVILLE
6 E. BAY ST., 2ND FLOOR • JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202 • (904) 423-2100 • CITYYEAR.ORG/JACKSONVILLE
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ity Year believes all students have the potential to succeed in school and beyond. By empowering young leaders
through a year of service in Jacksonville schools, City Year fuels the potential inside students and the young adults who serve as student success coaches. Serving in 12 Duval County Public Schools, City Year ensures students build the critical academic, social, and emotional skills necessary to become the leaders, workforce, and citizens our community needs. Since
the
2014-2015
school
year,
THE PLAYERS have been sustaining investors of our work in Jacksonville, Florida. We are grateful for their continued advocacy and investment.
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THE DONNA FOUNDATION
11762 MARCO BEACH DR. SUITE 6 • JACKSONVILLE, FL 32224 • (904) 551-0732 • THEDONNAFOUNDATION.ORG
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he DONNA Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in June 2003 by three-time breast cancer survivor Donna Deegan. Donna’s hope was to transform the journey for those living with breast cancer from one of fear and frustration to one of love and support. Today, we deliver this vision each day through our signature programs including the DONNA CareLine, serving patients’ financial critical needs; funding ground breaking breast cancer research at the Mayo Clinic; and through Survivorship, that empowers survivors and their families with specifically designed programming, events and information including the celebration of thousands of athletes across our finish lines each year. Our work is not easy, but together we can achieve monumental goals. We believe that no one should face a breast cancer diagnosis alone. Together we will finish breast cancer. The mission of The DONNA Foundation is to provide financial assistance and support for individuals living with breast cancer and fund ground breaking breast cancer research.
JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION
9700 PHILIPS HWY., SUITE 106 • JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256 • (904) 739-2101 • JDRF.ORG
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ype 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that strikes both children and adults suddenly. It has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent it and at present, there is no cure. JDRF works every day to change the reality of this disease for millions of people and to prevent anyone else from ever knowing it. We do so by funding research, advocating for government support of research and new therapies, ensuring new therapies come to market and connecting and engaging the T1D community. Thanks to a partnership with THE PLAYERS, people impacted with type 1 diabetes in our community have the support when they need it most and have the hope that one day they will know a world without T1D! THANK YOU to the many volunteers and outstanding staff that put on THE PLAYERS each year! Best wishes for a successful tournament!
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NORTHEAST FLORIDA STEM2 HUB
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA • (904) 502-0958 • STEM2HUB.ORG
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Our Mission: We convene, inspire, and invest in the STEM2 field by providing the essential missing elements to accelerate the growth of STEM2 education and careers. We envision highquality, culturally relevant STEM learning experiences for every child and young person. All students should have a sense of belong in the STEM fields and access to lifelong learning pathways that extend across formal and informal K–12 and higher education settings, including schools, science centers, and other STEM-rich institutions. We work with the goal that all students can be ready for the jobs of tomorrow by assuring access to technology, experiences with robotics and access to high quality mathematics and computer science education. By working together, across all sectors, and with the support of our business community, we work to assure that we are reaching every corner of our community.
YMCA OF FLORIDA’S FIRST COAST
40 E ADAMS ST #210 • JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202 • (904) 296-3220 • FCYMCA.ORG
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he Y is more than just a letter. It’s a cause. And our cause is strengthening the foundations of community. Through community partnerships, we are able to deliver programs and services that develop our youth, provide resources and education to improve health and well-being, and present opportunities to give back and support our neighbors. After serving the First Coast since 1908, the Y understands what our community needs to be its best. Working with generous donors like you, the Y provides everyone the opportunity to be healthy and thrive, to connect with others, and contribute to a better community. Everything the Y does is in service of making us – as individuals and a community – better.
FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
PETE DYE’S
LASTING IMPACT ON THE PLAYERS
A LOOK BACK ON THE LIFE OF PETE DYE, THE GOLF ARCHITECT BEHIND THE TPC SAWGRASS COURSE, AND HIS CONNECTION TO JACKSONVILLE f you’ve ever admired the beauty or cursed the difficulty of the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, you’ve got Pete Dye to thank for that. If you would have brought up the difficulty of the course, especially the 17th hole island green, Dye might laugh and have said two things: his late wife, Alice Dye, should get the credit for designing the 17th hole of Stadium Course and golf was never supposed to be fair.
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The man who designed over one hundred golf courses and put Jacksonville’s golf scene on the map died January 9, 2020 in the Dominican Republic. He was 94 years old. Pete Dye was born in Ohio in 1925 and grew up with golf. His father, Paul Dye, designed and built a golf course on the family farm that Pete grew up working
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and playing on. Dye was a good golfer and won championships in high school, but World War II lead him to join the Army before he graduated. After his service, Dye enrolled in Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, became a member of the golf team, and met the love of his life, Alice.
the course, it is Alice who was the inspiration to make the 17th hole an island green. Pete was always quick to credit Alice with the hole that has been the thorn in the side of many golfers for decades. Its sister course, Dye’s Valley, opened at TPC Sawgrass in 1987.
After college the Dyes moved to Indiana and ran a successful insurance business, but the love of golf was still in their hearts. In 1955 Pete told Alice he wanted to get out of the office and design golf courses and they were collaborators ever since.
In 2008 he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Regarded by some, most notably Hall of Fame golfer Greg Norman, as the “Picasso of golf architecture” and others as “dye-abolical” for his course designs, Pete Dye has certainly left a mark on the golfing community and Jacksonville.
In 1982 Pete and Alice to headed Ponte Vedra to design the nowfamous TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course. What was once swampland was transformed by the Dye’s into one of the most iconic golf courses. Although it is Pete’s name that is so closely associated with
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Pete is preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Alice and is survived by his two sons, Perry and P.B. Dye. In his last years of his life Pete was battling Alzheimer’s. -Elena Curtis ◊
X TTIIX All Month Blue Jay Listening Room
Where every ticket is a backstage pass. Shows this month include Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles, The Snacks Blues Band, The Matt O'Ree Band, Tennessee Redemption, Sweet Crude & more.
Blue Jay Listening Room
tickets Vary
3/20
Bar Takeover— Sidecar & Manifest Distilling Join Bellwether and Sidecar as their bar crews team up to craft competing cocktails for Chef Kerri Roger's multicourse meal.
Bellwether
$85
3/28
Naturalist Tour of Bogey Creek Preserve Join a Florida Master Naturalist and NFLT volunteer for an interpretive tour of Bogey Creek Preserve.
Bogey Creek Preserve
Free
904tix.com 3/4
3/6
20 Years of LaVilla School of the Arts
Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Wine Tasting Gala
An evening of African rhythms, dance, and festivities featuring African musical ensemble Crocodile River Music.
This is your chance to eat, drink, socialize, and bid on one-of-a-kind auction items throughout the night with Tom Coughlin at this star-studded event.
LaVilla School of the Arts
$5+
Wells Fargo Building
3/21
The Winemaker Dinner
3/22
This event features a raw bar and charcuterie reception followed by a ďŹ ve-course meal, which Chef Michael McKinney and his team have paired with wines offered by the family's winery.
Join Breakthru Beverage, Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, Winebow, Progress Wine Group, RNDC, Terroir Selections, and others, pour hundreds of their favorite wines at this epic tasting.
Restaurant Orsay
Restaurant Orsay
$225
$100+
4/4
4/5
Trinity Love Hoblit Gala Join in support of funding neurological research, training, treatment, and awareness for brain aneurysm, stroke and other cerebrovascular conditions.
Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort: Magnolia Room
$150
Trade + Public
Springtime Serenade Featuring Voices of Jacksonville, JCC's adult professional ensemble, with special performances by the JCC's Training, Lyric, and Treble Choirs.
Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church
$125+
LOCAL TICKETS. ONE PLACE.
Free
Spring Events 3/6
St. Augustine Fashion Week Season 6 Guests enjoy a true red carpet experience, craft cocktails, passed hors d'oeuvres, nightly entertainment and a professional runway production.
Bozard Lincoln Ford
$50+
3/7
Daniel Romano Romano is a prolific Canadian singer/ songwriter whose music reflects a mix of Nashville's countrypolitan era, '60s psych rock, and a host of other eclectic influences.
Intuition Ale Works
$22
3/24
Chefs Kerri Rogers, Louis Kurz, Donald Dean, Michael McKinney, Rebecca Reed, & Jon Insetta each dream up an inventive dish to pair with some of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits’ wines.
Did you know there are seven categories of cheese? Do you know how to identify them and what their characteristics are? Don't miss your chance to learn cheese pairing and serving in this workshop. And don't forget the wine!
Bellwether
Grater Goods
$200
$25
4/11
5/1-2
Amaro 101: Pairing with Bee Friends Farm
Explorers Club — Crafts & Giraffes This unique event combines the immersive wildlife experience of a tour at White Oak with the finest beer from your favorite local brewery.
White Oak Conservation
$197.25
3/22
Family Meal & Bottle Auction
3/19
Jacksonville Magazine’s
Cheese 101
3/27-29 Hush
House Mother "Mama Starr" will take you through an evening of dance, acrobatics, sensuality, humor and much more as she explores the definitions humanity has placed on love.
SaltAer Circus School
$25+
5/7
Intuition Ale’s Spring Festival
Ritz Chamber Players “Make Love Not War”
Learn more about the bitter world of amari (plural of amaro), its history, diverse styles & flavors, and how it pairs with the not so bitter, honey.
Join Intuition Ale Works for one of the biggest music festivals of the season. Featuring artists such as Lake Street Dive, Liz Phair, The Suffers and Juliana Hatfield.
The Ritz Chamber Players' season finale explores works written to honor both military service and the lives of those impacted by war and conflict.
The Volstead
Intuition Ale Works
$65
$35
Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church
Free
T I C K E T S O N S A L E N O W AT 9 0 4 T I X .C O M
THE HOLE TRUTH THE STADIUM COURSE PRESENTS MULTIPLE CHALLENGES ON EVERY SWING, AS WELL AS PLENTY OF TERRIFIC PLACES FROM WHICH TO ENJOY THE ACTION. Graphics produced by bestapproach.com | Portraits by Chris Duke
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ith great venues, amazing food and drink options and fun, interactive exhibits, there’s no shortage of things to do, see and experience at THE PLAYERS. But the real action,
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of course, takes place inside the ropes as the strongest field in golf takes on the purest test in the game. Here’s a hole-by-hole guide of the best—and sometimes hidden—spots to experience all this world-class event has to offer. u
TPC Sawgrass hosts its first Tournament Players Championship (now THE PLAYERS) in 1982 at the newly built Stadium Course. The course is revolutionary in its beauty, design and fan accommodations, designed by the famed architect Pete Dye, the course was inspired by the former PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman’s vision to bring the “stadium golf” concept to life.
Hole 1
423 YARDS, PAR 4 • The area around the green is usually quiet and a great place to get close to players as they walk to 2 tee Concession Stand is located on the 1st hole
The longest driving distance in 2019 was 349 yards by Tony Finau
Hole 2
532 YARDS, PAR 5 • Mounds behind the green provide unobstructed views down much of the long par 5 • The practice range is nearby, as is the kids autograph zone Concession stand at 1 tee and 2 green
Only 47% of tee shots during the 2019 PLAYERS found the fairway
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Since 1983, there have only been four holes-in-one at 3rd hole. Seamus Power recorded the 4th during the 2019 PLAYERS, in the 3rd round.
Hole 3
177 YARDS, PAR 3 • The hill down the left edge of this par 3 makes for perfect viewing, and also provides birds-eye views of the practice grounds • The practice range is nearby, as is the kids autograph zone • Mobile PGA TOUR Fan Shop by the practice grounds Concession stand at 1 tee and 2 green
Hole 4
384 YARDS, PAR 4 • Far removed from the center of the course, No. 4 is downright serene. The bulkhead around the water surrounding the green is ideal for unobstructed views A refreshment stand is at 4 green
In 1993, Nick Price’s tee shot came to rest on the lip of a fairway bunker at #4, a shortbut-demanding par-4. With one foot in the bunker, Price takes a baseball swing and hits the ball within a foot of the hole for a tap-in birdie. Later, he calls it “the greatest shot of my life.” He wins by 5 strokes.
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The record for consecutive birdies is six. Ten players have done it, including Tom Watson, Webb Simpson, Justin Rose and K.J. Choi (pictured).
Hole 5
471 YARDS, PAR 4 • The elevated left side of the fairway offers views of players practicing on the backside of the driving range (which is open during tournament week for fans to watch players warm up) as well as the action on the difficult par 4 • Permanent restrooms located on 9 fairway Wine & Dine on 9 presented by Meiomi Wines
Hole 6
393 YARDS, PAR 4 • The path from 6 green to 7 tee lets fans see players up close • Permanent restrooms located on 9 fairway Refreshment stand at 6 green and 7 tee
While working on a golf course design project, Greg Norman tells Stadium Course creator Pete Dye he’s going to chew up TPC Sawgrass. In 1994, he does just that. The Shark opens with a course-record 63, followed by three straight rounds of 67. He wins on Sunday posting a final score 24-under par, a tournament record.
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Hole 7
451 YARDS, PAR 4 • Mounds behind the green provide views all the way back to the tee box • Permanent restrooms located on 9 fairway Refreshment stand at 6 green and 7 tee Refreshment stand left of green of 8 green and 9 tee
Only four eagles have been recorded on the 7th hole—most recently Charlie Wi and Stewart Cink in 2014.
Hole 8
237 YARDS, PAR 3 • Shaded area around the green provides relief from the sun. The Wine Lounge presented by Meiomi Wines on 8 green offers fantastic views of the 8th hole in a hip lounge setting • Permanent restrooms located on 9 fairway Wine Lounge presented by Meiomi Wines (open to the public 21+) Wine & Dine on 9 located on 9 fairway A refreshment stand near 8 green and 9 tee fairway The Oasis (21+) The Food Court: Bono’s BBQ, Daily’s Grab-n-Go, Hawkers Asian Street Fare, M Shack, Tropical Smoothie Café, CJ Bibigo and Firehouse Subs As he is about to hit a chip shot back onto the green at #8, Davis Love III overhears spectators betting on whether he could make an up and down. He smoothly chips in and tells the guys in the gallery who bet against him, “I hope you lost.” Love wins THE PLAYERS 1992 event by four shots.
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Jacksonville’s own David Duval is leading the 1999 tournament when his ball lands in the bunker next to #9 green. Duval digs into the sand and holes the shot, ending the day as the champ and No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Hole 9
583 YARDS, PAR 5 • This is a great par 5 to watch players decide whether or not to go for the green in two • Permanent restrooms located on 9 fairway Refreshment stand at 8 green and 9 tee Wine & Dine on 9 presented by Meiomi Wines Wine Lounge presented by Meiomi Wines (open to the public 21+) The Oasis (21+) Concession Stand located at 18 tee Palm Valley Village: ABBQ and Bonefish Grill Phil Mickelson’s tee shot finds a fairway bunker on #10 in 2007. His only shot to the green is through a slender gap in the trees— which he deftly threads his ball through and onto the green. “I didn’t want to tell you what I was doing,” Mickelson tells his caddie as he climbs out of the bunker. He goes on to win the tourney by two shots.
Hole 10 424 YARDS, PAR 4
• Elevated mounding behind the tee is ideal for starting the back 9 • Fan bleachers gives views to 10 and 16 tee • Permanent restrooms at The Patio The Patio (V Pizza) Trucks on 10 Michelob ULTRA Mobile Build-aBar located at Trucks on 10
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In 2007, Hunter Mahan scored a double-eagle on the par-5 11th. Following a driver off the tee, he sunk a 5-iron from 227 years out. He’s the only player to make an albatross on #11.
Hole 11
558 YARDS, PAR 5 • Fan favorite par 5 where players often go for the green in two. Bowl-shaped mounds around the green offer views of 11 and 12 • Permanent restrooms at Taste of Jax Tacos on 12 Taste of JAX Trucks on 10 Michelob ULTRA Mobile Build-a-Bar located at Trucks on 10
Northeast Florida’s own Calvin Peete records five birdies over the final ten holes in 1985. When he walks up the fairway at #18, the first African-American to win THE PLAYERS doffs his cap to the cheering crowd. “I have reached the mountain top,” he recalls thinking.
Hole 12 358 YARDS, PAR 4
• Fan Bleachers presented by Publix offer a comfy place to sit and watch the players try to drive to the green • Permanent restrooms at Taste of Jax Tacos on 12 Taste of JAX
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Starting with #13, Rickie Fowler plays the final six holes in 6 under par to grab the lead in 2015. But that was just the beginning of his epic victory. Fowler bests Sergio Garcia and Kevin in a three-hole playoff that ends with yet another birdie on #17.
Hole 13 181 YARDS, PAR 3
• Fan area behind the green is ideal for
viewing • Fan Bleachers presented by Publix Tacos on 12 Taste of JAX
Matt Kuchar escapes a fairway bunker at the par-4 #14 with a clutch 5-iron out of the sand, over the trees and onto the green for a par en route to victory. The club he uses for the save is on display in the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse, along with a collection of clubs donated by other past champions.
Hole 14 481 YARDS, PAR 4
• A tough par 4 with elevated views behind the tee and right side of the fairway Taste of JAX Concessions stand located right of 14 green
The longest putt ever made at The PLAYERS is 100 feet, 1 inch, by Ben Crane at #14 in 2007.
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A thunderstorm late on Sunday afternoon halts play in 2014. Returning to the course after the all-clear is given, Martin Kaymer promptly makes a double bogey on #15, cutting his lead to one stroke. Two clutch putts on #17 and #18 seal the win. One month later Kaymer wins the U.S. Open, becoming the first player to do so in the same year.
Hole 15 470 YARDS, PAR 4
• Mounds to the left of the green provide unobstructed views of approach shots and putts • Permanent restrooms at Taste of Jax Taste of JAX Trucks on 10 Michelob Ultra Mobile Build-a-Bar at Trucks on 10 Grey Goose Bloody Mary Bar at Couples Entry
On a cold and windy Sunday, Davis Love III drives his tee shot into the woods left of #16 fairway. Undeterred by the lie, Love hooks his second shot out of the trees, over the lake, and onto the green, where he sinks his first putt for a 3. His unlikely eagle helps him win at THE PLAYERS for the second time.
Hole 16 523 YARDS, PAR 5
• Fan Bleachers are shaded and situated behind the tee box of the iconic par 5 • Elevated mounding behind the green offers postcard views of holes 16 and 17 • Permanent restrooms The Patio, and behind 16 green • Patriots Outpost presented by United Rentals The Patio (V Pizza) Concessions located in The Grove behind 16 green and 17 tee The Welcome Experience and Stadium Village Bar Grey Goose Bloody Mary Bar at Couples entry and Welcome Experience The Food Court Trucks on 10 Bier Garden presented by Hoptinger Sawgrass Square (Mini Bar, 4 Rivers Smokehouse)
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Tiger Woods faces a seemingly impossible, triplebreaking birdie putt on #17 in 2001. TV announcer Gary Koch tracks the ball on its journey, repeating the phrase “better than most” as it rolls down the hill to the hole, eventually dropping in. That one stroke turns out to be Woods’ margin of victory.
Hole 17 137 YARDS, PAR 3
• There’s not a bad view of the signature Island Green par 3. Sit on the hill to the left of the hole to watch all of the drama unfold, or take a seat in the Fan Bleachers for a bird’s eye view of the most inconic hole in the sport. Concession stand located in the Grove behind 16 green and 17 tee Concession stand located at 18 tee The Food Court The Oasis (21+) The Welcome Experience and Stadium Village Bar Grey Goose Bloody Mary Bar at Couples entry and Welcome Experience Michelob Ultra Mobile Build-a-Bar located behind 16 green Bier Garden presented by Hoptinger
Hole 18 462 YARDS, PAR 4
• The finishing hole is one of the most difficult on TOUR. The huge hill behind the tee provides views all the way to the green and clubhouse beyond. • Permanent restrooms The Patio, and behind 16 green Concession stand located at 18 fairway The Oasis (21+) The Patio (V Pizza)
“Be the right club... be the right club today!” In 2000, Hal Sutton implores his 5-iron shot to the green at #18. It was the right club. Sutton holds off Tiger Woods to win THE PLAYERS a second time.
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ULTIMATE PLAYERS GUIDE 2020
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UNDERDOG COMES OUT ON TOP RORY MCILROY WINS BY 1 STROKE
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here is no question that THE PLAYERS Championship is one of the hardest championships to win. With arguably the most dramatic course filled with some of the best players, it is always a fight for the win. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy came out on top in 2019, closing the final round with a 2-under-par 70 for an overall score of 16 under. The win was historic for the Irishman—he became the third player in PGA Tour history to reach 15 wins and four majors before turning 30. McIlroy won by a single shot over local favorite Jim Furyk, who was competing in his 23rd THE PLAYERS Championship. Furyk birdied two of his last three holes to secure his second runner-up finish. After winning his first THE PLAYERS Championship, the 29-year-old McIlroy finally broke the yearlong winless streak that was full of close calls in the weeks leading up to the PGA TOUR’s flagship event. McIlroy has spoken vaguely that winning isn’t everything. That new outlook on winning has helped him stay calm through those frustrating Sundays and explains how he kept his nerve on a course designed to make even the world’s top player question themselves. -Sam Lyster u
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ULTIMATE GUIDE 2020
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MCILROY 2019 SCORECARD Round 1 .................................... 67 Round 2 .................................. 65 Round 3 .................................. 70 Round 4 .................................. 70 TOTAL.................................. 272
