As director of sales and marketing at TPC Sawgrass, Jennifer Belisario and the rest of TPC Sawgrass staff have been keeping busy prepping for THE PLAYERS Championship (May 10-15), an annual event that draws thousands of golf fans, both nationally and internationally.
How long have you worked for TPC Sawgrass?
Six wonderful years. I previously worked in sales roles for two hotels and at Jacksonville Golf and Country Club. The combination of hotel and country club sales experience helped land my position at TPC Sawgrass. I have to pinch myself walking into this majestic clubhouse each day. Being a steward of TPC Sawgrass and the PGA TOUR is very rewarding. I can’t imagine a better place to work.
What are your job responsibilities?
I manage the relationship between TPC Sawgrass and over 2,000 dues-paying and annual-pass members, including recommending new member recruitment processes, retention programs and services. I have an open door policy; I believe that interaction with members and guests – whether positive or negative – is the most important part of what I do. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. I am also the point of contact for social media, email marketing, public relations and media requests, which as you can imagine, is a full time job – especially in the months, weeks and days leading up to THE PLAYERS Championship.
What is your role during the week of THE PLAYERS Championship?
Each year, TPC Sawgrass develops a sweepstakes in order to collect email addresses to add to our database. We use our database to promote tee times, open-to-the-public messaging and membership. My week is filled with collecting sweepstakes entries at THE SHOP located behind #17, entertaining members and finding a few hours to catch a little golf. It is a week where we work hard, have fun and make a difference.
Is there anything new to THE PLAYERS Championship this year that attendees should check out?
New this year is THE PLAYERS Club, a private hospitality and hosting experience with private space on-site in the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse on the 17 tee and 18 green. This venue is like no other venue on course or in the sport. Fans can also check out THE SHOP at 18 Fairway – located between 16 and 18 fairways, adjacent to Patriots’ Outpost. Open to the public, THE SHOP at 18 Fairway is a 3,000 square-foot merchandise tent that offers some of the top brands in golf.
Where do you live?
I live in the Intracoastal West area right before “the ditch.” My husband Tim and I are natives of Jacksonville, which I know is a rarity. He was born here, but lived in many other places due to his dad being in the Navy. I have lived here all my life.
You and your husband have an interesting history together.
I was literally the girl next door. We lived only two houses apart, which is how we met, and dated only six months before he proposed to me on the beach. I have been married to Tim for close to 16 years. He teases me that we got married in 2000 so he’d never forget how many years we've been married.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy exercising, traveling with my family, boating, lying by the pool or going to the beach. Obviously, summer is my favorite season. I can’t imagine living where it’s cold.
