What’s new this year at the PGA Tour Fan Shop during the week of The Players Championship?
How about Players-themed football and baseball jerseys, and long-sleeved rugby shirts?
Or an increased line of clothing for infants, toddlers and small children, including a caddie jumpsuit?
And how about this: the PGA Tour is letting First Coast retailers get a piece of the action, with Sunrise Surf Shop (hats, T-shirts and hoodies) and Del Campo socks, which TPC Sawgrass Director of Merchandising Lea Osol unhesitatingly said, “are the most comfortable socks you will ever put on your feet.”
Tiger Woods will have a presence at the tournament he won twice. His Sun Day Red brand is on hoodies and shirts at the Fan Shop, but in the Players’ blue and gold colors.
It’s all there and much more at the 40,000-square-foot Fan Shop, located at the Stadium Village about a Scottie Scheffler wedge shot behind the path that leads from the 16th green to the 17th hole at the Players Stadium Course.
PGA Tour Fan Shop opened early
The Fan Shop has actually been open since March 6 as part of the Players Fan Weekend, offering anyone free parking and a free peek at the Fan Shop offerings ahead of tournament week. For the rest of the week, the Fan Shop hours will mirror the golf schedule, meaning it will open around 7:30 p.m. and close when the final putt drops.
“This has been the best opening weekend of the six Players I’ve been a part of,” Osol said. “We have great support from the community and it’s been fun to see everyone getting a head start on their shopping.”
On the first day the Fan Shop opened, female customers easily outnumbered male shoppers and there’s little wonder when Osol began adding clothing from Lily Pulitzer, lululemon and Vineyard Vines.
There’s one new line of women’s clothing, Foreall, which Osol described as “a rising star” in golf apparel.
“They’re bringing fun and whimsical products into ladies’ golf,” she said. “You can wear it as a performance piece but you can also wear it to brunch. It’s a really nice crossover between golf and lifestyle.”
The Fan Shop will have clothing for newborns to kids of all ages and several clothing brands have items to outfit the entire family, such as Beaufort Bonnet, Lila & Hayes, Ellsworth & Ivey and Rhoback.
Male golfers have their options at PGA Tour Fan Shop
Numerous brands appeal to male golfers, such as Barstool and Bad Birdie.
“We brought Bad Birdie into the fan shop for the first time last year and it’s fabulous again,” Osol said. “They made custom items for this event and it looks great.”
Other items that may appeal to men and teens include mesh football jerseys (with No. 17, of course), pullover baseball jerseys, and rugby sweatshirts.
Men also gravitate toward headwear, and the stock is larger and more colorful, branded with the 17th-hole Island Green, The Players, and a nod to the First Coast, with items featuring “904”, “JAX” and “PVB” (Ponte Vedra Beach).
Hat lines include those made by Melin, LaFavre, Imperial, Pukka and Branded Bills. Last year, more than 64,000 hats were sold the week of The Players.
No. 17 remains prominent
Customers just can’t escape items branded with the 17th hole of the Stadium Course and its Island Green.
Hats. Shirts. Outerwear. Towels. Toys. Divot markers. Glassware. You can’t escape the Island Green in the Fan Shop.
“It’s our iconic hole and people like to purchase products with No. 17 on it,” Osol said. “It’s hard not get excited about that.”
Drinkware leads non-apparel items
Fans who have outfitted themselves and their families can also start in on souvenirs such as logo balls, divot tools, tee markers, towels and coozies.
Drinkware of all kinds will be hot-selling items, from shot glasses to large beverage bottles, in sets or purchased separately. Stanley 1913 drinkware will offer free engraving at the Grover area of the Stadium Course with each purchase.
And if fans really splurge ― spending $150 or more ― they will get a bonus with a free pair of Knockaround sunglasses and a custom Players pouch.
Fans from out of town also don’t have to lug their purchases around on the course. FedEx shipping is provided behind the exit of the Fan Shop.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: What’s new at PGA Tour Fan Shop at this year’s Players Championship?
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