THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP 2023

Northeast Florida’s springtime golfing and socializing tradition swings back into town March 7-12. Before you go, here’s some of what you should know.

Tickets to this year’s PLAYERS Championship went on sale Decem ber 1 of 2022 and many of the premium seats and passes into the high-dollar hospitality suites were snapped up in a matter of days. The PGA TOUR’s flagship event is contested each March at the famed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, one of the most renowned venues in the world, and showcases the strongest field in golf competing for the largest purse on TOUR—this year a whopping $25 million. of which $4.5 million goes to the winner.

While not considered one of golf’s “major” tournaments, THE PLAYERS is one of the game’s most coveted titles, with the likes of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas all claiming the title. Last year, the 144-player field featured representation from 25 countries, including 48 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking and 123 of the top 125 players from the previous season’s FedExCup Playoffs—the most of any tournament in the FedExCup era. Noticeably absent from this year’s event will be defending champion and Jax Beach resident Cameron Smith. The Aussie native elected to join the fledgling LIV Tour last year, a move that disqualified him (and several other top players) from competing on the PGA TOUR. Among the players who have committed to participating are World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, John Rahm, Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler.

Stadium Passes

Single-day tickets that provide admission to the tournament grounds are available for both practice rounds and tournament days. Ticket prices posted online usually do not include taxes and fees and, as the TOUR cautions, prices may fluctuate based on market demand.

Tuesday: $30

Wednesday: $30

Kids Tickets

Thursday: $85

Friday: $90

Saturday: $90

Sunday: $85

As has been the rule for several years, up to two kids, ages 15 and under, will be admitted free with a ticketed adult all week long. Getting into the course is permitted, however, all kids ages six and older must have a ticket in order to access hospitality venues.

Parking

Parking access and traffic snarls along A1A are two challenges tournament organizers may never completely overcome. Having the tourney played on what is essentially a sliver of land between the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway presents some location obstacles, to say the least. If you’ve never attended, be aware that a separate parking pass is required each day of championship week, Tuesday through Sunday, and must be purchased online in advance. Tuesday and Wednesday parking will be $15 per day, plus tax and fees; Thursday through Sunday is $40 plus. Parking will not be sold on-site and all parking passes will be digital. Will there be free carpool parking? Nope. The “four or more for free” carpool vouchers are not available in 2023.

Military Appreciation

THE PLAYERS' long-standing salute to members of the Armed Forces continues. Complimentary and discounted tickets for active duty, retired, reserve, National Guard members and veterans are available. This year’s Military Appreciation Day is March 7 and plans include a flyover, as well as a ceremony and concert hosted on the 17th hole. Also returning is the Patriots’ Outpost, an open-air hospitality venue located near the tee at No. 16 that is reserved exclusively for the military and offers complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.

THE PLAYERS Championship annually puts forth the PGA TOUR’s premier event and provides a wonderful oppor tunity for golf and sports fans to experience Northeast Florida each March,” says tournament executive direc tor Jared Rice. “This community embraces THE PLAYERS with a tremendous amount of pride, which is represented in the incredible hospitality shown to fans who attend from outside of this region.

While some tickets are still available, nearly all of the premium hospitality tents overlooking the 16th, 17th and 18th greens, including The Deck, Dye’s Pavilion, Island Suite, The Players Marquee and the Players Club, were all but sold out by Christmas. As of late January, the Greenside Seats section and the all-new Champions Club had limited ticket availability remaining. New this year, its collection of two-tiered hospitality structures surrounding the 16th and 17th holes, create more than 130,000 square feet of stadium seating and hospitality space. Also expanded for this year is the tournament’s signature PGA TOUR Fan Shop in the Stadium Village, now covering some 36,000 square feet of shirts, sweaters, hats and other PLAYERS-branded merchandise. u