The Players Championship is introducing a unique fan experience at this year’s tournament: the Players Club. And for those of you in the ultra-high end market (and for the rest of us aspirational WRXers), this is a PGA Tour event experience that’s sure to be second to none.

“From its genesis, [The Players Championship was] all about having the most incredible fan experience,” said Matt Rapp, executive director of The Players Championship,

Rapp told me that original Players concept was “To have the very best field in golf…a course that’s the purest test in golf, that didn’t favor any one style of play,” and further “A shrine to golf fans.”

Thus, the Players Club is a continuation of that enterprise, targeting those looking for the ultimate in golf tournament hospitality.  

“There’s been a strong movement over the last several years of a VIP experience: an ultimate hospitality experience,” Rapp said. “There’s increasingly a segment, both in the United States and globally that’s only interested in going to sports and entertainment venues if they can get that…type of experience.”

The folks in Ponta Vedra Beach have been working on the Players Club package for nearly three years. And as Rapp said, “This thing is different from the very get-go. The marketing materials…the parking situation (valet parking if you need it). We have greeters. RFID built into the badges. You can set your preferences for…food, drink…favorite players.”

Rapp indicated that the clubhouse has been “reimagined,” and the pro shop “restocked” with high-end products, many of them limited edition for tournament week. Much of the clubhouse will now only be accessible to Players Club members, and award-winning chefs from around the country will be on hand to serve up the finest cuisine.

And of course, they’re not stopping there.

“We’re also doing a lot of other special touches,” Rapp said. “We have some great pouring partners in the wine category. We have William Hill, and they’re going to bring in their sommeliers and do private blends. Grey Goose is a great partner of ours…they’re going to have special mixologists on site. Anheuser-Busch is our malt beverage provider. There’s a brewery here in the Jacksonville area, so we’re going to have beer that’s born-on dating for that day.”

Beyond this, Players Club members will have access to a new suite behind the 17th tee box that’s essentially on top of the Golf Channel set, as well as a suite near the 18th green. Further, they’ll be given a $500 gift card to procure some of pro shop’s wares, which, as mentioned, will be loaded with luxury goods and limited edition memorabilia. And of course, valet parking and a full range of concierge services will be available.

“What makes this thing unique is, first of all, it’s here.” Rapp said. “You have the best field in golf and the best views of golfers. If you’re a true golf fan who also likes to travel in style, there’s really nothing that compares to this. The other big key: Our clubhouse is really at the center of our tournament…and the main portion of our clubhouse is for this group. But if you want to go out to watch the most famous closing holes in golf, you have the venues right there. So it’s the best of both worlds.”   

And the price for this one-of-a-kind Players Championship week package? $5,000.

If this is your price range, or you merely want to fantasize, here’s a link to more information and membership sign up.