PALM HARBOR, Fla. – The Valspar Championship bills itself as the “Most colorful PGA Tour tournament in the world.” Who is to argue? Even the parking lot in front of the Copperhead Clubhouse at Innisbrook Golf Resort can brighten one’s day. Indeed, past tournament champs have reserved spaces that are painted to reflect the golfer’s background and interests.
“It is a nice, cool touch and a way to use paint while celebrating our past champions in a personal way for them,” said Sara Hackney, senior marketing manager with Valspar’s parent company, Sherwin-Williams, at the tourney’s media day. “We are going to continue to bring color to this tournament in fun and unique ways,”
A packed week of Valspar activities got underway Sunday and ramps up, beginning with Thursday’s first round. It will not take much effort for fans to notice the tourney’s many colorful features.
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“From big installations to small touches, like paint cans as tee markers,” said Hackney.
The biggest installation takes place beyond the confines of the resort. Valspar Be Bright is a four-year-old community mural initiative in which local artists create inspirational works of art.
A Feeding Tampa Bay mural is the latest addition in a series that includes those in Nashville and Edmond, Okla., among other places. The winner of this year’s Valspar will have the opportunity to select the location of the next mural.
Schauffele Tops Field
Xander Schauffele, who tied for fifth at last year’s Valspar, returns to Copperhead as the third-ranked player in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) released March 16.
The California native committed last Friday mere hours prior to the deadline. The reigning champ of the PGA Championship and Open Championship heads an appealing list of 27 players ranked in the top 60 of the OWGR. Sam Burns, the 2021 and 2022 Valspar champ, is among the group at No. 32. Last year’s winner, Peter Malnati, is No. 158.
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Jordan Spieth (No. 66) and Justin Thomas (No. 10), who have a combined 28 PGA Tour titles, committed earlier this month. Neither is a stranger on the Copperhead as the former, the 2015 champ, will be making his eighth appearance at the Valspar and the latter his seventh.
After missing last year’s cut, Trinity native and University of North Florida grad Nick Gabrelcik will make his second PGA Tour appearance and first as a pro. The four-time (2021-24) Atlantic Sun Conference player of the year is among sponsor exemptions.
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