Random PLAYERS Thoughts

Reader Warren emailed a series of questions about my Players Championship experience and now that I've had a chance to reflect, here goes...

talk about the course, the city (is it similar to augusta since it’s a small town), the experience, the players feelings about the place and all the other things.

The first thing you notice is the way in which the town embraces the event. The times I've been to Augusta I get the sense it's more of a headache having all of these people come to your town. Can't say I blame them. But Jacksonville was all over this from the moment you step into their wonderful airport (new, clean, easy, architecturally vibrant and free WiFi!). The weather reports on the local news focused on tournament conditions and traffic reports were sure to talk about the event.  Chatter at the local restaurants was friendly and positive when they figured out you were here for the Players. Thanks to the overall appreciation of golf by residents, you feel welcome in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to golf.

Tiger on No. 4 tee Sunday (click on image to enlarge)The Players is also one of the prime social events of the year. And unlike some hardcore golf fans, I like that about the event and miss that aspect of the L.A. stop.

For all of the over-the-top family values messaging we're inundated with these days, the Players actually lives up to the billing as a family-friendly event. I asked many why this was the case and no one had an answer, but many of the veteran writers agreed that for whatever reason, the Players and the players really do embrace the kids. I saw normally reserved tour players reaching out to sign autographs and high five kids way more than normal. The positive vibe this brings to the event appears unique to The Players. Or...perhaps a sign of the times.

what about the behind the scenes infrastructure, especially in the shadow of the pga tour itself? is it as commercial as the u.s. open? is the tournament minimal in its approach a la the masters besides the limited commercial interruption?

I found it to be less commercial than the U.S. Open. The Players Stadium Village, while corporate sponsored, is focused on a fun fan experience moreso than it seems to be about plugging, say, Lexus and AmEx at the U.S. Open.  Credit the tour for showing restraint.

The Players is cared for by an impressive volunteer base.Traffic was never a problem after Wednesday when the free admission specials for military and kids made it the best attended day of the week. A police presence was noticeable and at the tournament security was tight without going over the top.

The volunteer base is extraordinary. Not only are there so many of them, but my encounters were always friendly. More importantly, they seem to be well trained, efficient and while I didn't ask, it was apparent they were very organized in rotating people through different locations on a hole to keep marshals fresh. Also surprising (and impressive) was how many come from out of town. On the 17th I met an attractive young woman who had flown in from Minneapolis for the sixth year in a row. When I was leaving town Monday, I saw her with her two young sons. Now that's a devoted volunteer.

The only negative would be the noise on No. 17 generated by the corporate tent chatter. I expected a bit more of a hush as players were about to hit, but it feels more like an NBA game when a home team player is shooting a free throw...in January.

The impressive media center (click to enlarge)And not that it matters to the public, but the media center is extraordinary, with the largest projected image of a sporting event you could ever hope for along with questions answered promptly and accurately.

is the snack bar food expensive, does the tournament put out a nice program and pairings sheet?

I'm ashamed to say I ate in the media center or the clubhouse and never looked at the pricing. How far I've fallen!

I did however have a hard time finding the free water stations that were reportedly added upon the announcement of a May date.

The pairings sheets are free and beautiful. They almost serve as a mini-program. Very classy four color printing and a wonderful (free) keepsake.

do your favorite tour vps overpower the place and do the rules guys set up the course without any input like at any old john deere?

Longtime visitors said I saw the PGA Tour at its finest. Whether it's the economy or just a newfound appreciation for the media (riiiiigggghhhtttt!), I'm told the treatment of the media was much friendlier than in the past.

I did have a revealing encounter with a former and current VP in the food line. I tried asking nicely three times to break through the intense whispering session between WNBA Prez Donna Orender and Tour EVP/CMO Tom Wade who were blocking the fruit tray and holding up the line with their earth-shattering chat, oblivious to the world around them. Once they actually noticed that I was there nicely whispering, "excuse me," there was no acknowledgement and the conversation continued on and Wade grabbed his food. They never seemed fazed that they were holding anyone up. It was one of those little instances where I thought, hmmm...nice culture in the upper VP ranks.

On the other side of the operation, you have the media relations staff headed by Ty Votaw, where the tone is very different. Courteous, attentive and yet still professional. Sure there is probably the expected skepticism toward the subversive "working press," but you sense that this side of the operation of the tour takes itself a little less seriously and is a little more in tune with the world around them.

John Mutch handles an NBC request Saturday at The Players (click to enlarge)As for the golf course, there appear to be too many cooks in the kitchen. I have no evidence of this, just a sense that while the setup guys are free to do their hole locations and preparation work in the mornings, the advance work is a bit of a mess. It's just not acceptable to have a rough that includes mowing a few times during the week to keep fairway edge roughs at 2 inches while not mowing around greens all week. It's awkward, counters the tour's preaching of consistency and aesthetically does not do the course justice.

The fairway lines and Augusta-lite pine tree planting looks silly and also does the course no favors. And expansion of pine and sandy scrub would be more in line with Pete Dye's vision and send a wonderful environmental statement. (Wildlife is abundant on the course, always a good sign about turf practices.)

The 6th hole (click to enlarge)I am not sure that a TPC Sawgrass with less or no rough would play any easier if widened out and the mini-pines removed. I do think it would be more interesting and elegant looking. Even better, more balls would run into the pine scrub, meaning more chances for fans to get up close to The Players.