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Executive Director's Message

Dear Community Champion:

I hope this note finds you and your loved ones safe and well. It’s quite hard to believe that more than a month has passed since THE PLAYERS Championship. So much has transpired since the cancellation, but our collective priority as a tournament team, and as a sports league, remains the same: to promote the safety and well-being of everyone connected to THE PLAYERS, the PGA TOUR and the communities where we play.

Just as the country is eager to return to normal, we are eager as well, but only when it is safe and responsible to do so. Several weeks ago, the PGA TOUR became the first professional sports league to announce its intention to return to competition, with the TOUR’s season targeted to resume the week of June 8 in Fort Worth, Texas. The full announcement can be found here.

We know that our fans, partners, players and volunteers are ready to get back on their feet, and this announcement was certainly a step in that direction. However, please rest assured that everyone’s health and safety will always be our number one priority.

As our teams continue to monitor protocols and safeguards, stay safe, healthy and connected. We are grateful for you.

All the best,

Jared Rice, Executive Director

THE PLAYERS Champion Matt Kuchar 'Aces' Bedtime Story with Jacksonville Kids

Over the past several weeks, many people have found fun and creative things to do while in quarantine. THE PLAYERS 2012 champion Matt Kuchar is no exception, as he recently spent nearly an hour with a group of kids from the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation (MWYF). Kuchar, who was joined by organization founder Mal Washington and Executive Director Terri Florio, appeared via Zoom to read one of his favorite bedtime stories. The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation is an after-school youth development program in Jacksonville’s Urban Core.

After reading the story, The Wonderful Things You Will Be, Matt participated in a Q&A with the kids, generating a great deal of smiles and giggles before bed.

Stay tuned for a video on THE PLAYERS social media channels!
Facebook: /THEPLAYERS
Twitter: @THEPLAYERSChamp
Instagram: @THEPLAYERSChamp

In August of 2019, THE PLAYERS announced a community challenge grant to the Foundation, providing up to $500,000 to the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation toward its $5 million capital campaign. THE PLAYERS’ gift funds the center’s middle school wing, and supports the services provided to the students that inspire them to become champions in their communities. The new MWYF Teen Center is slated to open later this year.

Volunteer Spotlight: Stella Brown
Even at 91 years of age, Stella Brown is a passionate, dedicated volunteer at THE PLAYERS Championship. In her current position on the Player Registration team, Brown is often one of the first faces the world’s best golfers see upon their arrival to TPC Sawgrass, but her journey with this championship started nearly three decades ago.

In 1993, Stella signed up to volunteer in Player Transportation, but was asked to shift positions to backfill an opening in Player Services. Not knowing what was involved, she readily accepted the opportunity to learn more about what it takes to put on a tournament like THE PLAYERS Championship.

Much to her surprise, she lucked out with a spot in TPC Sawgrass’ clubhouse. Stella had everything she needed, including air conditioning and the camaraderie of her fellow volunteers. Of course, occasional conversations with Tiger Woods aren’t bad, either! When asked why she continues to volunteer, Stella said, “the people I meet, I probably wouldn’t ever meet otherwise, so I considerate it a real benefit that I’ve been able to be a part of...it’s like coming home to family each year.”

Click here to watch a News4Jax story about Stella, and click here for a First Coast News story.

Stella is a star!

Beyond the Ropes
Long after the final putt is made at THE PLAYERS Championship, the impact of PGA TOUR’s flagship event extends throughout the year. With a commitment to support the communities in and near where it hosts its internationally-recognized tournament, THE PLAYERS has supported nonprofit organizations in the five-county area with more than $100 million. Each month, we will spotlight a charity making a difference in the lives of citizens and communities.

Support 'fore' the frontline
On Wednesday, April 29, the Hilton Garden Inn - Ponte Vedra and THE PLAYERS partnered with Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation to thank health associates at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside. As nurses and other health associates left the hospital following their 12-hour night shift, they were greeted with applause, ‘thank you’s’ and breakfast, courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn– Ponte Vedra location. And thanks to additional support from the Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation, more than 550 on-campus representatives were fed.

Staff from the Hilton Garden Inn - Ponte Vedra provided
breakfast items for hundreds of nurses, doctors and hospital associates.

The Hilton Garden Inn - Ponte Vedra is a long-standing partner and neighbor of THE PLAYERS, serving as host to hundreds of guests during the championship. Members of THE PLAYERS volunteer leadership team – known as the Red Coats – joined this spirited rally, hosted to express gratitude to the associates battling the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Red Coats distributed hand sanitizers that were scheduled to be distributed at THE PLAYERS on Saturday, Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation’s scheduled Charity of the Day.

THE PLAYERS Red and Blue Coats passed out hand sanitizers
to those leaving and arriving the hospital.

Prior to the cancellation of THE PLAYERS, 2019 Champion Rory McIlroy toured the Ascension St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Unit, which is currently supporting the Northeast Florida community in the fight to end COVID-19.

In fact, the health unit is the only resource for patients in St. Johns, Putnam, Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties to receive their medication and primary care services during the pandemic. THE PLAYERS’ support of Ascension St. Vincent’s dates back to 1994.

News to Know

The recent pandemic has led to schools closing around the world, impacting millions of students nationwide and creating an increased demand for free online home-schooling resources. Not to worry- golf can be a lesson plan!

The PGA TOUR, in partnership with First Tee—a nonprofit organization that prepares kids for new challenges by building their confidence, resilience and inner strength through golf—launched Links to Learning. This initiative pulls together some of the PGA TOUR’s family-friendly educational content and pairs it with First Tee’s character-building lessons into a one-stop shop for parents, teachers and students. From art and math to science and fitness, with a little creativity, golf can be applied to just about any subject.

Photos of the Month
Earlier this month, the PGA TOUR launched a social media campaign called “A Message To Our Fans.” Check out some of the videos below and click here to watch messages from some of the world’s best PGA TOUR pros to their fans all across the globe

Look Who's Talking

Name: Walker Fletcher
Hometown: Windermere, FL
Position: Senior Director of Sales
How long have you been with THE PLAYERS: Yesterday I celebrated my one year anniversary
Best part of your job: It's great to be a part of an organization with such a huge focus on giving back to local communities
Hobby: Traveling, following University of Colorado sports and spending time with my family
With a lotto win, the first thing you’d buy: Anything my wife wants
Favorite Karaoke Song: Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
Favorite vacation spot: Polignano a Mare, Italy
Biggest achievement: Marrying my wife
Bucket list item: I'd love to take my family to New Zealand

MARCH 8-14, 2021 | THEPLAYERS.COM

©2019 THE PLAYERS Championship, PGA TOUR, All rights reserved.

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