PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – The festivities down at the Players Championship officially kicked off Tuesday, and Ponte Vedra Beach businesses were sure to prepare for the influx of visitors coming to witness one of the most iconic golf events.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said it would have deputies on the ground all week for the safety and security of fans. They were also warning visitors not to drink and drive.
And....they were advising people to expect increased traffic that could impact commutes.
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There are some weeks that businesses prepare for an increase in customers. But the Nona Blue Moderna Tavern employees prepare all year for the rush of people visiting for the Players Championship.
Bryan Small has been a bartender at the restaurant for eight years and said he looks forward to the excitement.
“You’ve got all your celebrities walking in. Expectations are always really high here. The owners are really trying to get us pumped and energized and ready to embrace whatever walks in or out of this door. We’ve always got the St. Johns County police here in case things get a little crazy. But it’s always a fun time,” Small said.
It’s not just businesses that are excited about the tournament, it’s also residents like Kevin Hill who look forward to it every year.
“This is a great week because we had the Hayt Tournament over at Sawgrass Country Club these past couple of days. And now we go into the Players Cup tournament here. This has been a fantastic time. Great golf. The good stuff all around,” Hill said.
Hill and his wife moved to Ponte Vedra Beach from Long Island eight years ago, and enjoy living in an area that welcomes such a high-profile golf tournament.
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“It’s just an opportunity to go see the greatest athletes in the world compete. And it’s a lot of fun that the town is hopping and a lot of good stuff going on around here,” Hill said.
For Small, it’s fun to see the increase in customers during the Players week.
“Once a week per year, it’s really awesome to see all these people who’ve spent their money to save their money to come hang out in the city and in a town that we live in every single day. It’s really full and exciting and full of life. It’s always hustle and bustle. So it’s also it’s just awesome,” Small said.
The tournament starts Thursday, March 14, and runs through Sunday, March 17.