The commitment deadline has passed and a top field is ready to challenge defending champion Jordan Spieth, the number one ranked player in the world, in the Valspar Championship presented by BB&T.
The field features 16 of the top 30 players in the current FedExCup standings, 15 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, 19 players who have won Major Championships and 66 of the top 100 players on the 2014-15 FedExCup point standings. Collectively, the field of 143 professionals and one amateur (Lee McCoy of the U. of Georgia) has a total of more than 300 PGA TOUR victories.
Including Spieth, 10 past winners of the Valspar Championship are in the field including Vijay Singh and Luke Donald, who also have been the top-ranked players in the world. Henrik Stenson (#6) and Patrick Reed (#10) are two other players in the OWGR top 10 in the world in the field as are #11 Branden Grace, #15 Danny Willett and #16 Brandt Snedeker.
While the first round will be held on Thursday, March 10 with a champion scheduled to be crowned on Sunday the 13th, there are a number of events prior to the start of the tournament beginning with this Sunday’s Par4Miler, a run/walk across the Copperhead Course. On Monday, more than 25 celebrities including Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston, Bucs legends Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn, baseball Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Goose Gossage and AL MVP Josh Donaldson of the Toronto Blue Jays, are schedule to join PGA TOUR pros in the Pro-Celeb-Am presented by BB&T in support of the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics.
For the second year, Valspar LIVE! will feature one of the top acts in country music free of charge to that day’s patrons. On Thursday, March 10, Rascal Flatts, the best-selling country vocal group of the past decade with 15 No.1 singles, will perform on the Osprey Driving Range after the conclusion of play. The Valspar Championship will continue to be an extremely family-friendly event. Kids 15 and under are admitted free each day if accompanied by a ticketed adult.
– – – Valspar is thrilled to be a part of tournament week with several Valspar activities to benefit Habitat for Humanity, including the Valspar Putting Challenge in the Valspar COLOR EXPERIENCE Expo. Color + Performance is a key driver in all Valspar initiatives. Some areas of enhancement that exhibit this brand ethos at the tournament this year include:
• Valspar® COLOR SCOUTS – Valspar COLOR SCOUTS will be roaming the course looking for the most colorful fans and awarding fantastic prizes.
• Valspar® SHOT SPOTS – Fans will be encouraged to get snap happy and social! Four designated Valspar “SHOT SPOTS” around the course will provide an enticing backdrop for fans to snap a selfie. Fans are encouraged to tag their pictures at these locations with #valsparchampionship.
• Color Can Feed the Hungry – Val, one of Valspar’s chameleon mascots, will be making her grand appearance this year alongside Jon, who was also featured last year. Thanks to a partnership with Canstruction® fans can pose with the colossal chameleon structures that will be constructed from over 4,000 cans of food. At the conclusion of the tournament, all food cans will be donated to Feeding America Tampa Bay.
• Color with Star Power – Strike a pose with a giant cut-out of the defending champion, Jordan Spieth, who went on to have an incredible season in 2015 after winning the Valspar Championship.
An expanded Jabil Family Fun Zone presented by Publix will be near the 8th green with a 16-foot climbing wall and oversized putting green among other activities.
The Valspar Championship also has a special policy for military admission, thanks to Pinch A Penny and other sponsors. Active and retired military are admitted free of charge each day and are welcome to partake of special hospitality at the Pinch A Penny Birdies for the Brave Patriot’s Outpost on the 16th hole. US Military Veterans are eligible for special discounted admission.
