Bought for just $1, the swamp of Florida’s Ponte Vedra Beach became the Sawgrass development. Designed by golf course architects Pete and Alice Dye, "The Stadium Course" was completed in 1980 specifically to host The Players Championship. The first tournament was held in 1982.

Laughed at by the players after the first edition (some considered the course no better than Putt-Putt golf), TPC Sawgrass was improved over time with their suggestions to finally become the first class course it is today, known in particular for the infamous 17th Island Green hole where many tournaments were decided.

Most golf courses that host a tournament where build for the golfers first, and then they tried to fit a tournament around it. That makes it difficult for the fans to follow and move around the holes. They might have to run and skip a hole so they can have a good view as they follow a particular player. Facilities can be limited due to space restriction.

What makes The Players Championship unique is that TPC at Sawgrass was built to host a tournament. The idea was to plan everything so the fans can easily enjoy the experience and then they built the course around it: wide alley allowing the fans to walk easily between holes, vendors everywhere and, Florida weather oblige, even cooling stations just like the ones you see football players using on the sideline are scattered around the course.

A weekly ground pass is $159. Too late to book and make plans for the 2013 edition? As soon as this years’ edition kick off, early bird special will be available for 2014.

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Links to:
Discover The Stadium course and the famous TPC Sawgrass clubhouse
TPC Sawgrass TOURAcademy
Where to stay during The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass?
World Golf Hall of Fame

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Discover The Stadium course ant the famous TPC Sawgrass clubhouse

[pic 01] The view is spectacular wherever you are and, since there is lots of space, you don’t have to run to mark your spot. The course employs a stadium concept as mounds of grass provide natural stands. For this particular par 3, you have a perfect view of the whole hole from the stands and the mound.

[pic 02] Even the practice range is a fun place to hang out. You can closely watch the players warming up from one of those mounds.

[pic 03-04-05] The 17th Island Green hole of TPC Sawgrass, probably the most well known hole in the world, is surrounded with stands and mounds, allowing the perfect view for everyone to stand on.

[pic 06] Air conditioned tents and a water filter station, where you can refill your water bottle for free, are accessible even with just the basic ground pass. Patrons can use high-end temporary bathrooms - not your typical Johnny on the spot - and even high-end permanent ones. Yes, it is a bathroom in this picture.

[pic 07-08-09-10] As you walk the paved walkway around the holes, you can enjoy the magnificent Clubhouse from different angles.

[pic 11-12] Finished in 2007 in just under 12 months to replace the previous one, the Clubhouse is a work of art that provides facilities for the players and guests.

[pic 13] A wide array of PGA tour memorabilia can be discovered in the Clubhouse. The grand hall is filled with paintings of famous scenes from The Players Championship rich history.

[pic 14-15] Two restaurants are accessible in the Clubhouse, the “19” and “Tradition." You can dine or even reserve the place for a meeting, a wedding or any other kind of reception.

[pic 16] The Clubhouse also has a huge golf shop.
TPC Sawgrass TOURAcademy

[pic 17] TPC at Sawgrass is a world class golf destination because it hosts the annual Players championship, but also because it offers the TOURAcademy where amateurs and pros can have golf lessons in their state of the art facilities.

[pic 18] Practice your put

[pic 19] Practice your swing with the help of a Doppler radar, the one used to track missiles by the US army. It will track the exact trajectory of your ball and measure ball speed, sidespin, backspin, vertical and horizontal launch angles.

[pic 20-23] The TOURAcademy offers 2-5 day golf school, private lessons, junior camps, speciality clinics, corporate events and more.

Where to stay during The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass?

[pic 24-25] World Golf Village Renaissance is the ideal choice for lodging if you are a golf enthusiast. Located 25 miles from TPC Sawgrass, it is surrounded with golf courses, is just across the World Golf Hall of Fame (see below), and offers a PGA TOUR Golf Academy. The premises is modern and clean. The rooms are big, and they are full of amenities for travelers.
The Villagio Italian Grille restaurant located in the hotel offers first class dining and breakfast. Coffee addicts can also find a Starbucks Coffee shop located on the first floor.
The resort offers a complete array of services to help you relax: health club & sauna (open 24 hours), swimming pool and hot tub. Entertainment is not left behind as jogging trails and an Imax Theatre are located within the resort. A gaming room is available in the hotel for kids. Within a short driving distance, you can find 180 outlets, beaches, and the historic city of St. Augustine, the oldest in the US, founded in 1565. Rooms can be booked from $109. Special “Hero rate” will give you even more bang for the buck if you are a police officer, a firefighter, or an active or retired military. Wireless Internet is an extra at $12 per day.

World Golf Hall of Fame

Located within the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, the World Golf Hall of Fame is a must for any golf enthusiast. Part traditional Hall of Fame with inductees, it is also a museum filled with memorabilia and items that explain the early years of golf and how it became the modern game that we now know.
A ticket costs $19.50 for an adult and you can easily spend a full day if you take the time to see all the memorabilia and discover the inductees.

[pic 26] As you walk to the Hall of Fame, you are welcomed by this installation, where flags of every countries that have an inductee fly.

[pic 27] Names and autographs of inductees are carved on the slates that lead to the Hall of Fame.

[pic 28] A huge Rolex Clock is installed just in front of the building.

[pic 29] As you walk in, panels present photos of the 2013 inductees including Fred Couples, pictured here.

[pic 30] World Golf Hall of fame memorabilia includes this golf club that was used by NASA astronaut Alan Shepard on the moon.

[pic 31] Two feather golf balls from 1839 and 1850.

[pic 32] The pinnacle of the visit for many will be the 88 foot long Wall of Fame where each inductee has a bronze relief plaque. Here is the plaque of Bob Hope, inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1983.

[pic 33] The plaque of Greg Norman, inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2001.

[pic 34] The huge and beautiful display case of all the trophies won by Phil Mickelson is worth your ticket cost alone.