There’s always something interesting happening around the Stadium Course during THE PLAYERS — in addition to the golf. A wide variety of food and drink options appeal to the wide variety of palates among the many fans onsite. Top quality merchandise ensures there are a range of souvenirs and themed apparel for purchase. And sponsor stations often incorporate games and entertainment at their booths and in their pavilions.
And each year, new vendors add to the fun. Here’s a look at a few fan zones we discovered around the course.
FAGE
Recently, The PGA TOUR announced a new marketing partnership with FAGE, a famed dairy and yogurt brand. But don’t be caught mispronouncing the name of the Official Yogurt Sponsor of The PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions. A Greek product, it possesses a Greek pronunciation: Fa-Yay.
This is FAGE’s centennial, having been founded by the Filippou family in a small dairy shop in Athens in 1926. The company has a reputation for crafting exceptional products from the freshest ingredients, creating a rich and creamy yogurt from a recipe passed down through generations.
Attendees of THE PLAYERS were treated to complimentary cups of the popular treat. Flavors offered onsite included: black cherry, strawberry, lactose-free blueberry, peach and honey.
It’s no surprise that response to the FAGE tent was very positive. For those who missed it, the yogurt can be found at supermarkets throughout the area.
Cutwater
The PGA TOUR and Anheuser-Busch recently announced the expansion of a marketing relationship going back to 1994, introducing Cutwater as the Official Canned Cocktail of The PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions.
As part of that agreement, which runs through 2030, the San Diego, California-based brand will have an onsite presence at several PGA events. That began with THE PLAYERS Championship.
Fans who stopped at the Cutwater bar were treated to free samples, including Vodka Mule, Lemon Drop Martini, Tiki Rum Mai Tai, Long Island Ice Tea, Chocolate Espresso Martini, White Russian and Vodka Transfusions, including a frozen option.
Visitors received free cooling towels, free koozies and entry into a raffle for Cutwater hats (10 per day).
From the upper deck, anyone sitting and enjoying these cocktails had a good, elevated view of the 10th tee and the 15th green.
Joe Gillette, who works for the experience agency that created the Cutwater activation onsite, praised the cocktail brand as better than others of its type.
“It’s a pretty smooth drink, no matter which one you get,” he said.
Because the alcohol content tends to be higher in Cutwater products than those of other brands, the purchase of one cocktail might be comparable to two others.
Cutwater was founded in 2016 and became a part of the Anheuser-Busch company three years later.
The canned cocktails are available most anywhere you can purchase alcoholic beverages.
Supergoop!
Another new partner of The PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions is the Official Suncare product, Supergoop!
The SPF-first skincare brand made its debut at this year’s PLAYERS Championship, with a primary presence in the Palm Valley Village across from the No. 9 hole and reapplication stations located throughout the course.
Thirteen-time PGA TOUR winner Justin Rose has been named brand ambassador.
The agreement with The PGA TOUR runs through 2030.
Those wanting to learn more can go to supergoop.com.
ZYRTEC
Just in time for golf season, which overlaps allergy season, when both players and fans are looking for relief, ZYRTEC was recently named the first Official Allergy Relief Sponsor of The PGA TOUR. Toward that end, the over-the-counter oral allergy relief brand had an onsite fan experience at THE PLAYERS Championship, located off the 9th fairway.
Among the discoveries here was the Pollen PuttPutt, a unique themed putting game.
“Spring allergies affect millions, and golf is where those symptoms can show up hardest,” said Jenn Lovell, commercial head, US Allergy & Cold, Kenvue, in announcing the partnership with the TOUR. “As golf season collides with allergy season, ZYRTEC is proud to partner with The PGA TOUR to deliver relief that helps 85% of players impacted by allergies stay in the game — while also helping a growing community of fans and golf enthusiasts fully enjoy the sport they love.”
ZYRTEC has teamed up with two-time PGA TOUR champion Akshay Bhatia and rising star Neal Shipley as Player Ambassadors.
