PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – If you ever wondered who the volunteers are holding the signs with PGA Tour golfers names on it, they’re called standard-bearers.
“I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to do this,” said Ponte Vedra senior golfer Nancy Cox. “I’ve been coming to The Players since I was a little girl and watching the volunteers I was like ‘I really want to be like them one day’.”
That day has come true for Nancy, who was the All-News4JAX girls golfer of the year last January.
“It’s super cool because I get to be like close up with the players, walking on the course all day and as a golfer myself it’s always super cool to be involved with all of that,” Cox said.
She’s a standard-bearer for The Players this weekend. Each round, Cox finds out which group of golfers she will be walking the course with.
“It’s always fun because each morning I find out who I have and I just enjoy watching new people play and meeting new people,” Cox said.
Her Ponte Vedra Sharks teammates are just as excited for the surprise.
“I had a bunch of people texting me this morning saying ‘who do you have? Who are you going out with?’” Cox said.
Sometimes, they find her around the course.
“They’re like my little fan group, while the players have theirs,” she said.
And just like most golf fans, Cox’s favorite golfers probably won’t surprise people.
“Rory McIlroy, I mean he’s a fan favorite. I love watching him. Matt Fitzpatrick, the Europeans. I’m English myself so I like watching them. I like Max Homa too. He’s fun to watch,” she said.
Cox has had the once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet some of her favorite golfers.
“There’s definitely been some people that I’ve looked up to that I have been able to meet, which I’m lucky for.”
Next year, Cox will be too old to be a standard-bearer. So, this is her third and final year having this unique experience.
“I’ve had such a fun last three years being a part of it and this is my last year so I’m just going to make the most of it.”
Nancy has two more rounds to make even more memories at The Players.