The buzz surrounding The Players often increases in the weeks leading up to the Northeast Florida golf extravaganza, but Matt Rapp continues to work to make people think of the tournament year-round.
“That’s been the big push,” said Rapp, The Players executive director since 2010.
The tournament is scheduled May 10-13. Practice rounds and other events start Monday. The championship is at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Rapp said he hopes for attendance of about 150,000 people, which would surpass the 120,000 who attended last year. He wants to see it eventually reach 200,000.
“We want to create that buzz, that electricity,” he said.
Rapp said the push has turned to final preparations for the golfers and fans who take part in the weeklong event.
“The course favors no one and frustrates everyone,” Rapp said of the golfers.
“Beyond the golf, this is the social and business event of the year in Northeast Florida,” he said.
“If you want to meet people, see people, catch up with people, they’re all here,” he said.
That includes meetings and dealings among business executives. The tournament provides an outside-the-office environment for dealmaking.
“You can reach those people here,” Rapp said.
“There are more deals done out here, literally, in a week than there are done in Jacksonville the rest of the year.”
For fans more interested in shots close to the pin instead of deals struck by the pen, Rapp said the improved amenities will provide a better atmosphere this year.
He said two of the complaints he hears about the tournament are the heat and the restrooms.
For the first time, fans with grounds tickets will be able to watch the event from an air-conditioned location, the Oasis, to beat the heat. They also can take advantage of cooling benches around the course.
New restroom trailers also have been rented. “These things are top of the line and pretty cool,” he said.
Also new this year is a dedicated play area for children and a revamped area near the 17th hole called “The Grove” where fans can watch the action in more comfort.
The one aspect of the tournament he can’t try to control?
The weather.
“I don’t even look,” he said.
“There’s not a thing I can do, so I don’t bother.”
356-2466