Memories of the 2016 PLAYERS Championship Won by Jason Day!

Photo Credit: SearchPrivacy.co

Photo Credit: SearchPrivacy.co

The 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship was Jason Day’s conquest and probably my most prolific PLAYERS from both an experience and writing perspective. From the prior Saturday’s Volunteer Party at the Clubhouse to the St. Johns County & JAX Chamber of Commerces’ Kickoff Event to Tuesday’s romantic Military Appreciation to the Sunday morning worship service to four rounds of record-setting golf, it was an epic PLAYERS for me!

Jason Day proved his No. 1 world rankings with a wire-to-wire show to win his first Players. Day shot 63 on Thursday and tied the course record set by four other golfers (Fred Couples in 1992 Rd. 3 (won), Greg Norman in 1994 Rd. 1 (won), Roberto Castro in 2013 Rd, 1 (PLAYERS debut round, finished T19, Martin Kaymer 2014 Rd. 1 (won).

After Round One, Day was two strokes in the lead. After a 66 in Round Two, Day was four strokes in the lead. After a 73 on Moving Day, Day was still four strokes ahead going into the final round. A Sunday 71 made it a four-stroke win and a wire-to-wire victory

Here are my Facebook posts starting with the Volunteer Party:

33.5Too much fun at the Volunteer Party of the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass last night and I am not even a volunteer this year! Great to see everybody & feel the true spirit, enthusiasm & volunteerism behind this great championship! WOW, that was a party to remember! Do you like my Jacksonville Jaguar tie from the Katherine Way Collections from the Katherine Way Beach Boutique & matching BIION Footwear?

The next prelude to the main event was the St. Johns County & JAX Chamber of Commerces’ Kickoff Event

A World of Commerce Surrounds THE PLAYERS Championship!

THE PLAYERS Championship kicks off for me tonight with the After-Hours at THE PLAYERS Championship event co-hosted by the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce & the JAX Chamber… come support THE PLAYERS, enjoy an evening of complimentary refreshments and network with more than 700 business leaders from Northeast Florida… this annual event sells out every year, already sold out… r u going? Will u be there? Looking for some storylines and local businesses to feature on Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary… thinking the 2016 Players is going to be an “all-hours” event for the next 11 days… take note that both COC have beach divisions… Jacksonville Chamber Beaches Division & SJC Chamber – Ponte Vedra Beach Division… note to self to remember that there is a golf tournament too! (-:

20160505_195757-1The 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass was officially kicked off by Executive Director Matt Rapp and Tournament Chairman Michele McManamon at the JAX Chamber & St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce event. Immersed in a world of commerce, THE PLAYERS continues to give back to the Northeast Florida community with a record $8.1MM last year and more than $75MM since 1977 when the tournament was first played here. I think the young couple from Australia says it all about the excitement and feelings of goodwill surrounding THE PLAYERS! The weather will cooperate and it will be the best PLAYERS ever! (-: Jacksonville Chamber Beaches Division SJC Chamber – Ponte Vedra Beach Division

20160505_190101Already an exciting event at the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship.. some great interviews… Part 1 of 2… Thanks for all the interviews! Gas South, Sandler Training – McManamon, JMI Resource, Amelia Toffee Company, Mulligans Pub Ponte Vedra Beach, Blackfinn Ameripub – Jacksonville, John E. Anderson Allstate Insurance, IBERIABANK, Katherine Way Collections, JAX Chamber, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Chamber Beaches Division, SJC Chamber – Ponte Vedra Beach Division

Great St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, JAX Chamber, SJC Chamber – Ponte Vedra Beach Division, Jacksonville Chamber Beaches Division event last night at TPC Sawgrass to kick off the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship! Some interesting interviews coming so that u can meet these folks & their businesses…

Tuesday is Military Appreciation Day at THE PLAYERS Championship!

Good Tuesday at THE PLAYERS! Stadium Course looks really good! Good to be out there & run into some friends too! (-:

_25 soldier on knee proposingDo you agree? Most inspiring moment of the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship were the two romantic gestures during the Military Appreciation Ceremony… here it is in 30 Pics on FB… God Bless America is sung… NBC Sports’ Dan Hicks mc’s… Commissioner Finchem speaks… Military Commander speaks & pointing to his wife salutes their long term loving marriage… golfer Jerry Kelly introduces K9s For Warriors veteran & his dog… disabled veteran with PTSD speaks honestly & from his heart and then introduces his girlfriend, honors her and then gets down on his knee showing his heart and proposes to her… she accepts… no finer inspiration will you find this week at THE PLAYERS… thank you to all women & men who serve us and the United States of America… congratulations to these two loving couples!   (Andy Reistetter, 5-11-16, Facebook Post with 30 Pics)

Now the competitive golf with a course record tying performance by Jason Day in the first round!

Witnessing History: Jason Day’s Record 63 in Rd. 1 of the 2016 PLAYERS!

32Round 1 2016 PLAYERS… following Day Spieth Grace… off 10 announced by my buddy Stokes Hill… Day birdie birdie-birdie start… Spieth & Grace even all pars! www.AndyGolfTravelDiary.com

Thru 6 holes, Day has cooked off, still -3… Spieth still all pars but hole-high on 15… Grace crash & burn on 15 taking 4 greenside to get it in the hole, looked like me! Yeah Ernie Els!

Thru 9… Spieth awakens with 2 putt birdie on 16… Day responds with deuce on 17… Grace snake bitten, closest on 17 but rims out birdie putt… Day -4, Spieth -E, Grace +2… Remembering Spieth historic win in Australia…  G’day for Spieth Down Under, Record 63 Wins Australian Open!

Thru 12 holes… took a little break at the turn… caught up with group at 3 tee… Day birdied 1 & 2… loses the honor when Spieth & Grace deuce No. 3 and he pars… exciting round of golf!

thru 15 holes… it’s Day’s day, not so much Spieth’s as he bogeys 5 & 6…

15Wow, what a round of golf by Jason Day… ties record low 18-hole score of 9-under par 63 by 4 others… Fred Couples Rd. 3 in 1992 (T13 finish to Davis Love III win), Greg Norman Rd. 1 1994 (won by 4 strokes), Roberto Castro Rd. 1 2013 (T19 finish to Tiger’s win), Martin Kaymer Rd. 1 2014 (won by 1 stroke)… tragic ending for Spieth, double bogeys the last shoot even par 72… ditto score for Grace who double bogeyed the 15th earlier in the day. Memorable PLAYERS in progress…   (Andy Reistetter, 5-12-16, Facebook Post with 24 Pics)

It was an amazing experience to walk with and watch Jason Day shoot that record tying 63 in the first round of the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship… now at least I can upgrade my dream round in my head and keep dreaming about conquering the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass when she opens back up in November… did shoot a 3-under 70 at Old Elm back in the old Chicago days… right after playing for 3 years exclusively with my authentic & antique hickory-shafted golf clubs and then retooling with a new set of PING Rapture clubs… 9 birdies, 9 pars now wouldn’t that be nice to do or even dream about…

Round Two was as nearly exciting with Rory needing a birdie on the 9th hole, his last but ended with a bogey to shoot 64!

Rory McIlroy nearly sets a new Course Record of 62 at THE 2016 PLAYERS Championship

IMG_3515Happy PLAYERS Friday! Started off No. 10 with Zach Johnson, Patrick Reed & Sergio Garcia… 4 birdies so far, rest pars, Sergio 2 under today. Said good bye to old No. 12, complete redo for next year into drivable par 4…

Holes 13, 14, & 15 with Kuch, Rickie & Adam Scott… tough day for Rickie… missed 2 short birdie putts & a sandy watery DB on 14…another beautiful day for scoring though feels like wind is picking up…ocean, beach, paradise!

GMac, Louie, & Hide kind for 16, 17 & 18… now Rory, Rory, Rory for his second 9, 7 under first 9…

WOW, what a day following Rory McIlroy, nearly a course record 62 except he bogeyed the last, the par-5 9th, instead of birdieing it, that’s golf, that’s life! Congratulations to Will Wilcox acing the 17th! Amazing! So good to see so many of my friends out there today, I love the spirit of THE PLAYERS, the people and our Ponte Vedra Beach community… TROML Day for sure! (-:

Rory nearly roared a record 62 in THE PLAYERS Championship but it was Pete Dye that must have smiled a bit at the end…

Colt Knost 3-putted the 18th hole to become the sixth player to shoot a 63 in the PLAYERS!

Onward to Sunday which started with the 32nd Annual Non-Denominational Service on the back lawn of the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass!

Spiritual Start to Pink-Out Sunday at THE PLAYERS Championship!

Spirit of THE PLAYERS Championship with me one week later and all year until the next PLAYERS Pink-Out Sunday… Fellowship of Christian Athletes Crosswater Community Church

19 (2)Great start to PLAYERS Sunday at the 32nd Annual Non-Denominational Service on the back lawn of the Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass! Inspirational sharing of their love story by Jared & Kelsey Wolfe, Pastor Jack Millwood’s message & benediction, beautiful music & singing… golf is like life… something God put in me to do.. first met in Bowling. Green, KY & went bowling… peace, calmness, no stress… were friends before they were friends… making sure actions support what I say… prayed for God to change my heart… her steps, my steps, stepping together.. all I wanted to know is that she is okay… my love language is quality time together.. husband will not complete you. .. my joy is not from him… my joy comes from my relationship with Christ.. God is the rock of our marriage.. God is that peace that u r looking for…about half of the best players missed the cut.. we r not each other’s standards… Jesus Christ is our standard.. we get in Heaven on His ticket, a Sponsor’s Exemption… personal relationship with God. deep involvement.. supportive community… Jesus, lead me for the rest of my life… then the Ultimate at Darlene’s Diner for me & my buddy Stokes… TROML Day in progress! Happy Players Sunday! Splendid Spiritual Self   (Andy Reistetter, 5-15-16, Facebook Post with Link)

_3 Stokes w DJ 1TMy buddy Stokes Hill announcing on the first tee today! Great guy, great job, only wish I was a better videographer & documentarian! Yeah Stokes! (-:   (Andy Reistetter, 5-15-16, Facebook Post with 1 Video)

Nice morning at TPC Sawgrass walking with Ernie Els & Justin Rose then checking out the “pinked out” 16, 17 & 18… love this place, my home away from home when I am home… great to see a lot of friends out there… watching the end on TV at home… wow, Jason Day no birdies on the first nine holes, but still up by 4 strokes thru 12 holes… the Duke is my hero… Kuch… who will win the 2016 THE PLAYERS Championship???   (Andy Reistetter, 5-15-16, Facebook Post with 29 Pics)

_28 16G IslandBit sad the day after to see the circus move out of town to Dallas… but WOW what a great Players… Rickie Fowler to Jason Day transition in progress… Lots of Stadium Course changes coming up… 2017 THE PLAYERS Championship sure to be bigger & better.. c u there next year!   (Andy Reistetter, 5-16-16, Facebook Post with 17 Pics)

That was a memorable PLAYERS! Thanks to all the Red Coats & Volunteers! Here’s an insider’s view of the PLAYERS volunteer organization with a look back to 2013 with Tournament Chairman Robert Davis! Can’t wait until next year’s THE PLAYERS Championship on the upgraded Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass!

20160516_175541Post 2016 PLAYERS meant major golf course renovations including a totally new 12th hole for the 2017 PLAYERS and beyond!

New era at TPC Sawgrass with renovations of the Stadium Course underway… reminiscent of the original construction in the early 1980s… portraits on Championship Way removed… probably a few big surprises in store…   (Andy Reistetter, 5/21/16, Facebook Post with 14 Pics)