by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Golf’s been given a whole new swing at The Players Championship at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra. Renovations to the course and, most notably, the debut of the new, deluxe seventy-seven thousand square foot clubhouse will further support the reputation of Sawgrass as one of the foremost golf courses in the country. The massive, lavish building’s sixty-five foot towers will be visible from 12 of the 18 holes on the course. The clubhouse itself has a view of the 9th and 18th holes, including a picturesque water hazard and a large lawn for spectators.
“It basically has an architectural blueprint that celebrates that development of the First Coast area. Henry Flagler and the East Coast Railroad, back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, dotted the coast with luxury resorts for rich and famous people. Due to the fact that Mr. Flagler…traveled abroad quite a bit, he brought a European influence back into this country and built resorts in this style. So we built this property to mirror and be very respectful of the traditions of the history of Florida,” commented TPC Sawgrass general manger Bill Hughes.
The clubhouse has indeed been built to look as though it has been part of the Florida landscape for many years, but includes every modern convenience. The new clubhouse will serve as a hospitality and entertainment facility for the tournament, but it’s sure to quickly become a destination for area golfers.
As for the course itself, besides a few landscaping changes on the last three holes, Hughes says that most of the major changes were applied to “infrastructure things that no one can see.” They’ve installed a state-of-the-art drainage system which can dry out a sopping wet green in hours instead of days.
“The idea of the renovation was to once again position the golf course as a facility that plays fast and firm [for]…the greatest players in the world.”
Golf has a long and noble history in St. Johns County, due mostly to the annual Players tournament held at TPC. The World Golf Hall of Fame has created a History Pavilion for the 2007 Players Championship that will highlight that history, telling the stories of triumph and defeat on the course.
“We are excited about the opportunity to tell the thousands of guests to the Players—many of whom are from out of town—some of the fascinating history behind the tournament, the World Golf Hall of Fame and St. Johns County overall,” said Jack Peter, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hall of Fame. “The stories blend together well and help define the important role golf plays in this area.” The air-conditioned, four-thousand square foot facility will welcome guests as they enter the tournament. A nearby food court and merchandise tent will provide guests with everything they need to enjoy and commemorate their experience at the Players.
The exhibition will educate guests about past champions, emphasizing the tournament’s significance to the world of golf. Using multimedia tools, such as large format graphics, actual golf artifact displays and video presentations, they will present a fun look through the history of the tournament.
They’ll be showcasing stories and photos from the tournament’s annual Induction Ceremony. Visitors will be introduced to the Induction criteria and process, learn about the Hall’s exhibits, including the current special exhibit on display honoring Gary Player, and learn about its history and mission. Those visiting the pavilion will also learn a little about the history of St. Johns County and how it relates to the tournament.
Guests will have an opportunity to take a complimentary keepsake photo with the newly-designed Waterford Crystal Players trophy. And, the tournament’s charity initiatives, successes and contributions of its volunteers also will be highlighted throughout the area. The History Pavilion will be a major part of the Players Tournament Village in the new arrival zone through May 13th.
World Golf Hall of Fame, located just north of St. Augustine, is the ultimate destination for the celebration and recognition of golf’s greatest players and contributors and an inspiration to golfers and fans throughout the world. A collaboration of 26 national and international golf organizations support the Hall of Fame, including the PGA TOUR, LPGA, USGA, PGA of America and The R&A. The museum houses interactive exhibits and historic and personal artifacts that tell the stories of its members and the game of golf. Adjacent is the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX® Theater. For more information, visit wgv.com.
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