10/07/2025
What an absolute thrill to get a behind-the-scenes tour of TPC Sawgrass / The Players Stadium Course in Ponte Vedra, Florida — home of THE PLAYERS Championship and the PGA TOUR’s flagship venue! ⛳️
Big shoutout to Maria, our incredible tour guide — you brought the history and the magic of this place to life every step of the way.
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A little history (and wow factor)
• TPC Sawgrass opened in 1980 as the first of the Tournament Players Club facilities. 
• It was built with both players and fans in mind — designed in “stadium style” so spectators could follow the action better. 
• Since 1982, the course has been the permanent host of THE PLAYERS Championship (often called “the 5th major” by fans because of its prestige). 
• The course is owned by the PGA TOUR, and it deliberately doesn’t favor any one type of golfer: long hitters, accurate shot-makers, grinders — all are challenged. 
• One of the course’s signature holes is the par-3 17th, with the famous island green — it’s one of the most iconic holes in golf. 
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Notable champions & moments
Over the years, THE PLAYERS has been won by legends across eras. Here are just a few:
• Jerry Pate — the very first champion when the event moved to TPC Sawgrass. 
• Greg Norman — set the scoring record in 1994 with 264 (–24) at Sawgrass. 
• Fred Couples — won in 1996 with an impressive final-round 64. 
• More recently, Rory McIlroy won THE PLAYERS Championship in dramatic fashion, capturing his second title there in 2025. 
These champions are just the tip of the iceberg. The course has tested — and rewarded — some of the greatest names in golf.
