PALM HARBOR, Fla. – About the only thing the Valspar Championship needed to change was its office setting. The cramped space by the Klosterman Road entrance at the Innisbrook Golf Resort was not cutting it. Elbow room was at a premium for a tournament that has been bursting by the seams in popularity in recent years.
Tournament director Tracy West and her staff recently set up shop off northbound U.S. 19 and very close to the resort. While the office address may have changed, the effort in continuing to make the Valspar a week-long showcase highlighted by its fan-friendly nature is sure to be experienced by those descending upon the Copperhead Course beginning next Monday for a week of gold, fun and festivities.
Read: 2024 Valspar Championship’s Field of Impressive Commitments Grows
The 2023 Valspar was honored in December by the PGA Tour as being the “Most Fan-First Event.” Because there are many things to see and do beyond enjoying an outstanding field of golfers, one that includes the likes of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, Sam Burns and last year’s winner, Taylor Moore, fan comfort and convenience is of the utmost. For example, seating platforms and skyboxes that may appear to be reserved for the VIP types are available for all patrons.
“One of the things our tournament is known most for is all the different and unique seating areas for the fan that has a normal grounds ticket,” said West. “I think that is something unique that our tournament does, something that a lot of other PGA events do not do. I think that is one of the reasons we won the award for being the most fan-first tournament on the PGA Tour.”
It is also a major reason why the tournament has enjoyed a relationship spanning what will be 11 events with Valspar, the Cleveland-based paint and coatings company, as the title sponsor.
“It’s all about, ‘let’s do fun things for fans,’” said West. “They really treat them first class.”
Read: Valspar Championship Awarded For Fan Experience
Among other fun things to look forward to this year is a concert by country music artist Cole Swindell that will take place following Saturday’s third round. There will be a 50/50 raffle to benefit Tampa General Hospital, a family fun zone and several other activations.
In support of the non-profit Folds of Honor, Birdies Challenge sponsors – and anybody who wants to get involved – will donate $100 per birdie on the fourth hole, which was birdied 47 times during last year’s Valspar. Folds of Honor provides scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members.
Visit valsparchampionship.com for tickets and information.
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