The World Golf Foundation recently announced that the next World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held at the World Golf Village on Monday, May 9, 2011.  The ceremony’s date is very fortunate and strategic, as it is targeted to kick off the week of festivities and competition of The Players Championship on the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.  The direct tie-in between the world-famous, globally-broadcast Players Championship and the sport’s Hall of Fame and Shrine induction should be of great benefit for all aspects of the game, the region and our community.
 
The announcement was made on July 22 by Jack Peter, World Golf Foundation COO and Tim Finchem, PGA TOUR Commissioner. Jack Peter said, “Staging the annual Induction Ceremony in the heart of the golf season, just before one of golf’s most thrilling events, is a great opportunity for the Hall of Fame.” The World Golf Foundation is also keen about developing and scheduling other related events and activities, wrapped around that timeframe, that can extend the appeal and relevance of the induction
 
A few years ago, the PGA TOUR was successful in moving the famed Players Championship from March to May. Doing so, created a stand-alone platform for the event and eliminated any interpretation that it was a warm-up to the Masters. Now, the golf season features a 5 month series of showcase, major tournaments, from April to August, comprised of; The Masters in April, The Players Championship in May, The US Open Championship in June, The Open Championship in July and The PGA Championship in August.
 
Moving the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony from its typical Monday in November to the Monday of Players Week places special importance on the event and positions it as an engaging, entertaining and celebratory feature, square in the midst of the golf season. The move should attract more national and international press and promises more involvement and attendance from the ranks of professional golf. It also sets up the occasional, unique opportunity whereby a player could be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Monday – then tee it up on the following Thursday to compete in The Players. That perfect blending of storylines could create tremendous interest and be a positive catalyst, boosting attendance at both events.
 
The advantage to the Neighborhoods of the World Golf Village and the greater World Golf Village community is that May can be a glorious time for displaying the beauty of this place.  In May, the heritage Live Oaks are magnificent – resplendent with their new season crop of leaves, spreading to create shady canopies. The landscaping of the common areas, parkways, boulevards, homes and golf courses is its most verdant in May. The World Golf Village natural sense-of-place is most evident during late April and early May and should make a wonderful, lasting impression on visitors from around the world – whether they see it broadcast or in person.
 
We hope you join us in embracing this good news.  It will give you the perfect forum for entertaining family and friends and sharing your pride in your community. Additionally, it could well serve to illuminate the overall value and special attributes which make this place so special. When that happens as a result of smart decisions and thoughtful planning, we are all the beneficiaries.