It’s almost Valspar Championship week once again, in Tampa Bay.
The PGA TOUR Valspar Championship will be held March 14 to 19. Each year, the tournament brings a week of events to life at Innisbrook Resort, in Palm Harbor. And this year, the tournament has some new VIP experiences.
“There will be opportunities available from a VIP experience and, really, from a hospitality experience,” says Tournament Director Tracy West. “There are really three ways, or three venues, that are more upscale than with a regular grounds ticket. The most premium one that comes with the most amenities is our Snake Pit Club.”
FRIDAY IN THE SNAKE PIT CLUB
As someone who has spent a Friday in the Snake Pit Club, I can vouch that it is one of the premier experiences to be had at the Valspar Championship.
Yes, it is a top-shelf, open bar, all day and complimentary food, but it’s also a networking event unto itself. The open-air covered venues also offer a prime vantage point, if you are there to actually watch golf.
There are two venues included with the Snake Pit Club ticket: the Ketel One Snake Pit Club, on the 16th green, and the AmeriLife Snake Pit Club, on the 17th green. With the Snake Pit Club ticket, you get access to both.
“It’s a really upscale experience and a great way to watch the Valspar Championship,” West says.
A CELEBRATION FOR A HALL OF FAMER
Tournament guests will have a chance, during tournament week, to salute Rondé Barber on Thursday, March 16, as he was selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. Patrons are encouraged to show their support by wearing their Barber #20 jerseys and other Buccaneers gear.
The first 5,000 patrons will receive a special, commemorative item and there will be additional acknowledgments on the course to celebrate his achievements.
All patrons are encouraged to congregate at the 18th green, after the conclusion of Thursday’s play (around 7 p.m.), for a ceremony that will include guests significant in Barber’s career, a special video and remarks from Barber.
“We are ecstatic to have this opportunity to celebrate his selection into the NFL’s most prestigious club and to thank him for all that he has done for the Tampa Bay community,” West says.
Barber played all 16 seasons of his career (1997-2012) with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has continued to make the area his home. He joined the Copperheads, the organizing charity of the Valspar Championship, shortly after his retirement and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2018. This tournament is his second as the Board’s General Chair.
VALSPAR LIVE WITH DARIUS RUCKER
Saturday is the Valspar Live concert, presented by Chick-fil-A, where tournament patrons will be able to enjoy Grammy Award-winning country musician Darius Rucker with a free 90-minute show, after the conclusion of play.
“We’ve got Darius Rucker and are absolutely thrilled about that. We have been working for multiple years to try and secure him, so it finally worked out the right way in his schedule, and we know how popular he is,” West says. “He puts on a tremendous live concert.”
The concert is free to all Saturday ticket holders. There is VIP access available, but it is exclusive. “You have to be a pretty significant level sponsor to have VIP access [for the concert],” West says.
NEW THIS YEAR: THE ROOFTOP
New this year, to the Valspar Championship, will be the largest venue, set on the 18th green. It’s a double-decker, which will have a VIP rooftop experience.
“The first level will be private hospitality and is sold out,” West says. “But the second level is going to be called The Rooftop, presented by Dex Imaging, and designed by Ashley. Think of it as a rooftop bar. That’s literally what the vibe is going to be.”
DJ Fresh will be running the music in between groups and celebrities are scheduled to pop in and hang out throughout the tournament. In addition, there will be an open bar, with food to purchase.
Rob Gronkowski will visit the tournament’s new 18th-hole hot spot, The Rooftop, presented by DEX Imaging and designed by Ashley. He will spend the afternoon of Friday, March 17, at The Rooftop.
“We expect some of the Lightning players to be there on Friday and we’ll have more celebrities to announce soon,” West says. “It’s going to be a really cool ticket to have.”
OTHER PATRON FUN
St. Patrick’s Day is Friday of tournament week, so patrons are encouraged to wear green and one lucky fan will win two coach-class Delta Air Lines tickets, good for travel in the 48 contiguous United States.
Returning for the first time since 2019 will be the Family Fun Zone, which this year is sponsored by Florida Blue, with activities for kids. Children 15 and under receive free tournament admission.
In addition to the Snake Pit Club and The Rooftop VIP options, patrons may upgrade their tickets, on-site, to the Hooters Owl’s Nest.♦