As far as Matt Rapp is concerned, last year’s Players Championship golf tournament was a perfect storm of events.
“We’re going to have a tough time beating the finish and weather combination we had last year,” said Rapp, executive director of the tournament.
However, Rapp said Wednesday during Media Day for this year’s tournament at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, he can try to create an even better experience for the fans.
“Everything we do at the tournament we can do better,” he said.
The tournament, which attracts one of the best fields in golf, is May 10-15.
Rapp addressed the media at a new “Wine Lounge” built behind the eighth-hole green at the course, which like many other venues at the tournament, is open to all fans.
“Most of the things we have out here are open to anybody with any kind of ticket,” he said.
The Players has continuously added food venues in recent years to enhance the fan experience, including booths operated by local restaurants.
This year, Mojo Kitchen, which has five area barbecue restaurants, and Trasca & Co. Eatery, an Italian restaurant in Ponte Vedra Beach, are adding to the mix.
“You have people who say it’s a taste of Jacksonville here,” said Rapp.
Other changes include renovations that will make the fourth hole more accessible to fans. The Players tries to be a fan-friendly event.
“It’s not the same at any other tournament,” Rapp said. “We really have something unique here.”
Rickie Fowler, last year’s winner, recalled the “energy” of the fans at the 16th through 18th holes as he came from behind and eventually won in a playoff.
“It was crazy,” Fowler said. “Over the week here, it’s great crowds, it’s fun.”
The Players drew total attendance of 191,000 for the week-long event last year and according to the PGA Tour, it produces an annual economic impact of $151 million for Northeast Florida.
With the big crowds, parking and traffic are ongoing issues, and Rapp said the tournament has made improvements that he hopes will improve traffic flow.
One change fans should be aware of is they will not be able to buy parking passes at Publix stores this year. They can only buy passes through the tournament’s website (theplayersparking.clickandpark.com), which should be done in advance because parking is likely to sell out, Rapp said.
“Plan your travel here early,” he said. “We don’t want to turn people away.”
While Rapp is hoping fans are enthusiastic about next month’s event, Fowler is already looking forward to it. He said one of the best perks is he now gets to dress in the “champions” locker room.
Nobody has ever won the Players in consecutive years, but Fowler is confident.
“I’m definitely not going to come back to just play for second,” he said.