FOLIOThe following is a schedule of events surrounding the 2013 tournament. Some events are not open to the public, but the media is invited to attend and cover all events.
Wednesday, May 8 – Charity of the Day – Boy Scouts*
Wednesday, May 8 – THE PLAYERS Championship Caddie Competition in memory of Bruce Edwards
All Day (Public event – Tournament ticket required)
Each year at THE PLAYERS Championship – during the Wednesday practice round – players and caddies switch roles when they arrive at the famous 17th hole, and the caddies get the opportunity to take a swing. Each player contributes to the prize fund and the caddie who ends up closest to the pin takes home the money. This is great tradition unique to THE PLAYERS and one that provides an added layer of entertainment for the fans, players and caddies alike. New this year, the competition has been renamed to honor Tom Watson’s longtime caddie and friend Bruce Edwards, who passed away in 2004 from ALS or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Also new this year, fans can keep track of how the caddies are doing, as closest-to-the-pin information will be provided on the leaderboards surrounding No. 17, and in addition to the prize money, the winning caddie will receive a VIP parking spot in the TPC Clubhouse lot, Thursday-Sunday of THE PLAYERS. Open to media.
Wednesday, May 8 – FCA Golf Breakfast with The Pros
7–9 a.m. (Private event) at Sawgrass Marriott
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Golf has hosted a breakfast at THE PLAYERS Championship for nearly 30 years as a way for FCA members and PGA TOUR players to interact, share prayers and inspiration and use their stories to impact the lives of aspiring young golfers. All local area high school and college golf teams and coaches are invited to attend at no cost, thanks to table sponsors. Media are invited, but must RSVP in advance.
Wednesday, May 8 – Graeme McDowell media availability
9 a.m. in media center interview room
Wednesday, May 8 – The McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation – field trip to THE PLAYERS
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
Local students who attend after-school programs at McKenzie’s Academic Resource Centers will take an all-day field trip to THE PLAYERS on Wednesday, May 8. Students will participate in a scavenger hunt around THE PLAYERS Stadium Course, where they will learn about golf, the unique challenges posed by each hole and the incredible history of the championship. They will also meet 2005 PLAYERS champion and local resident Fred Funk during a 30-minute clinic about the opportunities for success that golf offers. Following a lunch provided by The McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation, students will enjoy games and activities inside the newly expanded Kid Zone, which was renamed The McKenzie Noelle Wilson Foundation Kid Zone this year.
Wednesday, May 8 – Adam Scott media availability
10 a.m. in media center interview room
Wednesday, May 8 – Billy Horschel media availability
10:30 a.m. in media center interview room
Wednesday, May 8 – THE PLAYERS First-timers Press Conference
11 a.m. (Media event)
All of the PGA TOUR players who are participating in their first PLAYERS Championship will come to the media center for a one-of-a-kind group press conference on Wednesday. For 2013, first-timers will include: Ted Potter, JR., Jonas Blixt, Charlie Beljan, Russell Henley, Scott Brown, Joe Daley, Casey Wittenberg, Seung-Yul Noh, Martin Flores, William McGirt, Troy Kelly, Will Claxton, Jason Kokrak, Branden Grace, Thorbjorn Olesen, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano, Daniel Summerhays, Luke Guthrie, Brian Stuard, David Lingmerth, James Hahn, Richard H. Lee, Erik Compton, David Lynn and Derek Ernst. This is a great opportunity to get some one-on-one time with a variety of players from different backgrounds – all with one thing in common – an excitement for teeing it up at THE PLAYERS for the first time in their careers. Open to media.
Wednesday, May 8 – Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost Grand Opening
11 a.m. (Military only – Tournament ticket required)
Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost®
Grand opening: Wednesday, May 8 (11 a.m.)
The Birdies for the Brave Patriots’ Outpost will officially open on Wednesday, May 8 at 11 a.m. on Military Appreciation Day with a ceremony featuring four special presentations to deserving military heroes. The ceremony will kick off with the presentation of a honorary TPC Summerlin membership to a wounded warrior. As part of the PGA TOUR’s seven-year relationship with the Wounded Warrior Project and other Birdies for the Brave homefront groups, each TPC in the network extends a complimentary membership to a local wounded warrior to use golf and the club camaraderie as a rehabilitation tool. PGA TOUR Commissioner Finchem and PGA TOUR player Kyle Stanley will present wounded warrior Tyler Steinle with the TPC Summerlin membership. Steinle suffered several injuries resulting from IED blasts in 2009 and 2010 in Afghanistan while in service with in the Army.
In addition, Dell will present laptop computers to 10 wounded warriors, a member of the Navy (Daniel Daugherty) will do his re-enlistment ceremony, and wounded warrior Brian Sellers will be presented with the keys to a mortgage free home courtesy of the Military Warriors Support Foundation, one of the homefront groups that Birdies for the Brave supports. Open to media.
Wednesday, May 8 – Rory McIlroy media availability
12 p.m. in media center interview room
Wednesday, May 8 – Fan Meetup with Billy Horschel and Luke Guthrie
3-4 p.m. (Public event – Tournament ticket and RSVP required)
The PGA TOUR’s fan meetup at THE PLAYERS is back for the fourth-straight year. On Wednesday, May 8, from 3-4 p.m., PGA TOUR social media fans will take over “The Patio,” located near the 18th green, for an exclusive meetup with PGA TOUR stars Billy Horschel and Luke Guthrie. The meetup will include prize giveaways, autograph opportunities and special guest appearances.
To attend, fans must have a practice-round ticket for THE PLAYERS ($20 at Publix or Ticketmaster.com) and RSVP in advance through Eventbrite at http://theplayersfans2013.eventbrite.com. Practice round admission is good all day Wednesday, including the Military Appreciation Ceremony and Dierks Bentley concert, and tournament parking is free. Spend the day at THE PLAYERS watching your favorite players on the course, meet up with fellow fans in the afternoon and stay for a great show!
Wednesday, May 8 – Dierks Bentley media availability
4 p.m. on outdoor patio of Patriots’ Outpost
Wednesday, May 8 – Military Appreciation Ceremony, “A Salute to the US Navy”
5:30 p.m. (Public event – Tournament ticket required)
The Military appreciation ceremony will be hosted on the back lawn of the Clubhouse followed by a free concert. Country Music star Dierks Bentley will give a special performance. Open to media (great live shot opportunity).
Wednesday, May 8 – LIVE at the Lot hosted by the Monique Burr Foundation for Children
5-10:30 p.m. (Public event – Event ticket required)
The Monique Burr Foundation for Children will host LIVE at The Lot with food, drinks and entertainment. Headlining the show will be Tishamingo a southern-rock, blues band. The opening act is Moors & McCumber. Kort McCumber is the nephew of Mark McCumber, past champion of THE PLAYERS. The Lot is located just outside the Nicklaus Gate in General Parking off of CR210. Open to media (great live shot opportunity); please RSVP.
Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 p.m. – Ceremony for high school seniors
After the Military Appreciation Day ceremony on Wednesday, THE PLAYERS is helping local military recruiters with an “Our Community Salutes” event, a ceremony for local high schools seniors who are about to graduate and enter the military. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Patriots’ Outpost. A total of 142 local high school seniors will take the Oath of Enlistment in the presence of their families.
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