from staff
Golf fans will have another dining and drinking option during this year’s Players Championship. Set for the first time in May (7-13), fans attending The Players Championship often stay at the beach or in Ponte Vedra after play is over during the four-round tournament.
This year, the City, the Landing and the Jacksonville & the Beaches Convention and Visitors Bureau have combined to create The Players Championship Downtown Experience. The event is May 11 from 4 p.m-1 a.m. at the Landing.
“As The Players Championship grows in national stature and in spectators visiting from around the globe, it is important that the entire First Coast area show support and pride and welcome these visitors,” said Players Championship Executive Director Brian Goin. “We expect The Players Downtown Experience to grow and draw both spectators and locals to this exciting Downtown event.”
Christina Langston, public relations manager for the City’s Office of Special Events, said the event will encompass the Landing and the parking lot immediately east of the Landing. She said there will be interactive golf games and live entertainment. The CVB is providing free shuttle service from the front gate of the tournament to both the Landing and the Southbank. The motor coaches will pick up golf fans from noon-2 p.m. at various Downtown hotels and drop them at the tournament. From 4-8 p.m. those same coaches will bring fans Downtown.
“The Players has been greatly supported by Jacksonville residents since it began many years ago,” said Mayor John Peyton. “This initiative expands the excitement and fun of the tournament to Downtown Jacksonville and many of the very people who have been volunteers, bought tickets and supported the event. I am looking forward to these inaugural festivities that will offer golf-related activities and attractions for all ages.”
Langston said The Dalton Agency is putting together a marketing campaign that will focus on area hotels as well as local golf fans who attend the tournament annually. Hotels will put reminders of the Downtown Experience on their room doors and rental car agencies will put reminders on rearview mirrors. She said there will be signs at the tournament and area billboards, radio and print media will remind fans of the event.
The City also ordered 15,000 pins for fans to wear and another 1,000 T-shirts that promote the first-year event.
“We are trying to build awareness and generate attendance,” said Langston. “We are using an aggressive marketing campaign.”
Langston said attendance expectations haven’t been discussed.
Some of the activities planned for golf fans include a 9-hole putting challenge, an inflatable driving range, Golden Tee video games and other interactive games, live entertainment by Diggin’ in Dreamland, drink specials, autograph sessions with members of the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, a raffle to win an autographed golf bag and fireworks at 10 p.m. The First Tee of Jacksonville will also provide free five-minute golf lessons.