PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA | There was a time, not that long ago, when it was enough to stage a golf tournament for the golf itself.
It worked for decades, from Old Tom to Young Tom, from Hagen to Hogan and from Sansabelts to Sandy Lyle.
It still works as the Players Championship showed last week but nowadays the golf is just part of the on-site experience and, there again, the Players Championship was a perfect example of what attending a golf tournament can be in the year 2025.
There was a late-afternoon concert on Tuesday, the stage set on the hillside overlooking the famous par-3 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass’ Stadium Course. Hospitality venues of various sizes, shapes and price points dot the property, each contributing to the hum of noise that has become part of a sport famous for demanding quiet.
If you want to watch golf, it’s still there and if you just want to be at the golf tournament, there’s more to do than ever.
If you’re old school and want a hot dog and lemonade, you can get that. You can also find tequila drinks, barbecue fresh off the cooker and there’s a famous taco stand behind the 12th hole at the Stadium Course that has an almost magnetic pull on the locals.
There is a whiskey bar, a vodka stand and a beer garden featuring local brews.
It’s like a shopping mall for consumption and it’s not just at the Players Championship but it is done exceedingly well here as it should be.
Of course, there is a massive merchandise pavilion at the Players that features more brands of golf-related apparel than almost anyone knew existed. Hoodies, quarter-zips and print shirts evidently are not going out of style anytime soon.
There are hats of every conceivable style from the back-in-style rope caps to bucket hats to flat bills with the messaging intentionally backward on the front for whatever reason.
There is even an oversized chain featuring an oversized Players Championship logo (the gold man swinging a club) dangling from it that looks like something the Miami Hurricanes might use to recognize a teammate who made an interception against Florida State.
If you’re into content creation, the online content creators have their own merch on racks alongside the more traditional brands. The times they are a-changin’ for sure.
That’s not a criticism but a compliment. If you want to watch golf, it’s still there and if you just want to be at the golf tournament, there’s more to do than ever.
Ron Green Jr.
E-MAIL RON
Top: Country singer Jordan Davis performs during the Military Appreciation Day concert at TPC Sawgrass.
BEN JARED, PGA TOUR VIA GETTY IMAGES
