Two leaders from Valspar share lessons learned from 2021 and what’s to come in 2022

The Valspar Championship, Tampa Bay’s PGA TOUR event, is a major economic driver to the region and generates millions in charitable contributions every year.

The tournament’s charitable initiatives come through the sponsoring organization, Copperhead Charities. Copperhead Charities has generated nearly $47 million for charity since 1977, through the sponsorship of professional golf tournaments in the Tampa Bay area

Tampa Bay Business and Wealth caught up with Tracy West, tournament director of the Valspar Championship PGA TOUR, and Ronde Barber, chair of Copperhead Charities, to discuss the past year and what’s to come in 2022.

Valspar might have looked a little different in 2021, but it happened. What were the “wins”  this year and the lessons?

Barber: Our biggest win was to actually stage the event, in the face of the pandemic, especially after being canceled in 2020. We were proud to rally our many corporate partners, thousands of volunteers and vendors to all work together to make the event happen, even with the adjustments which had to be made. The biggest lesson was the resiliency of our Copperheads, the membership organization responsible for hosting the event, and our many partners to rally together when faced with what seemed an insurmountable challenge, at the beginning of the year.

The tournament generated more than $1.7 million for charities in 2021. What were some local charities that were directly impacted?

West: Copperhead Charities was able to support more than 50 local charities this year. Some of our pillar charities include Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, The First Tee chapters in our region and Tampa General Hospital’s Home Base Program.

How does Copperhead Charities decide who to give to, via those funds?

Barber: Some of the funds go to organizations who participate in our Birdies for Charity program, some to organizations who help support the tournament by helping in concessions and parking cars, but most organizations are chosen by our Copperhead Charities board members with input from Valspar.

Throughout the pandemic, uncertainty has made planning large-scale events even more challenging than they already are. How has the team at Valspar Championship overcome these challenges?

West: We were fortunate to have great guidance from the PGA TOUR, which was the first major pro sport to get back to competition and hosting fans. Our tournament takes place primarily outdoors and we worked to make operational adjustments to allow for social distancing and placed primary emphasis on health and safety. We also had stringent protocols related to the pro golfers, our volunteers and our patrons.

Both of you had to be leaders during the pandemic, respectively. What did you learn about leadership during the past few years?

Barber: That leadership is fluid and that you must be able to adjust to your circumstances. And it is important also to remind your team that success takes many forms and to be grateful for the impact you are able to make in any given moment versus the impact that you thought you would have.

West: That true leaders need to stay positive in the face of adversity and help their team stay nimble and ready to pivot at a moment’s notice.

What can audiences expect at the tournament in 2022? Will it be back at normal capacity?

Barber: We are planning a full event, back with all of the fun competition and additional fan activities for which we are known. Our Valspar LIVE, presented by Chick-fil-A, concert will be back with country music superstars Chris Young and Big & Rich. Our Valspar Color Scouts will be handing out prizes to patrons who come dressed colorfully. We are, after all, “the Most Colorful PGA TOUR Tournament in the World.” And Thursday is St. Patrick’s Day, so green will be on full display. We’re hoping fans want to catch some of the Final Four and enjoy a green beer, while watching the world’s top golfers take on the challenging Copperhead course.

The Valspar Championship is much more than just a golf tournament. Can you share with audiences some of the other aspects of the event?

West: In addition to what Ronde mentioned, our patrons enjoy a variety of food and drink options, fun themed seating areas, interesting expo areas, an entertainment zone with lawn games, a military appreciation area, fun backdrops for social media photos and an autograph zone for kids to meet some of the pros. Plus, the people-watching is great.

What would you like the TBBW audience to know? What haven’t I asked you that you wish I would have?

Barber:  The tournament is a chance to watch the best pros in the world compete in your backyard. Our field of players is consistently in the top third of PGA TOUR events. We have a variety of ticket packages available including both grounds and hospitality options, including our famous Hooters Owl’s Nest and shared hospitality via a Snake Pit Hopper ticket into three venues throughout our 16th-18th hole Snake Pit. We even have a package that includes golf on the Copperhead.

West: In addition to our charitable impact, as the largest charity sporting event in our region, the tournament creates over a $50 million economic impact and drives great tourism recognition via our national and international broadcast on Golf Channel and NBC. Coming out to attend the tournament has a lasting impact on our community.

You May Also Like
Michael Kelly departs USF for Navy athletic director role

Michael Kelly, who has led the University of South Florida Athletics since 2018, is stepping down to become the athletic director at the United States Naval Academy. During his seven

Read More
USF Foundation Board of Directors 06 20 2024
A legacy in motion: Justin Papadakis on soccer’s power to transform

Sports are not just entertainment or a shared pastime. They have profoundly changed lives and families. Justin Papadakis, deputy chief executive officer and chief real estate officer of the United

Read More
The Concession Golf Club to host Senior PGA Championship three years in a row

The PGA of America announced that The Concession Golf Club, in Bradenton, will host the Senior PGA Championship from 2026 through 2028, beginning with the 86th edition of the event,

Read More
Concession-golf-club-brandenton-courtesy
The Tampa Bay Inferno is story of passion, resilience and community empowerment

A groundbreaking force in women’s sports has been quietly rewriting the rulebook in Tampa Bay.  The Tampa Bay Inferno, a professional women’s tackle football team, isn’t just about hard hits

Read More
Other Posts
A smarter approach to business insurance

For many business leaders, insurance has become one of those necessary line items—reviewed briefly at renewal time, signed off on and quickly forgotten. It’s transactional, seen as a balance sheet

Read More
New College of Florida receives $2.5 million to create education center

New College of Florida has received a $2.5 million gift from the DSF Charitable Foundation to create a new Contemplation and Education Center, on its Sarasota Bay campus. The DSF

Read More
USF Alumni Association announces 2025 award recipients

The University of South Florida Alumni Association has announced six distinguished honorees for its 2025 USF Alumni Awards, recognizing excellence in professional achievement, service and impact on the university community.

Read More
USF Foundation Board of Directors 06 20 2024
Survival of the Fittest: Why Business Is About to Get Even More Cutthroat

Being an entrepreneur has always been a brutal, full-contact sport, but as economic conditions shift and uncertainty grows larger than ever, the game is changing—and not in your favor. It’s

Read More