With less than 60 days remaining before THE PLAYERS Championship, tournament officials announced this week that a special performance by country music artist Jon Pardi will headline Military Appreciation Day on Tuesday, March 12.
New this year, the Military Appreciation Day Ceremony will begin at 5 p.m., and the concert will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on the Island Green 17th hole. The Military Appreciation Day ceremony and concert is free to any Tuesday ticket holder; a Tuesday Stadium Pass starts at $25. Parking is also free on Tuesday and Wednesday of tournament week.
Pardi joins an impressive list of country music stars who have performed on Military Appreciation Day, including Tim McGraw (2010), Darius Rucker (2011), Luke Bryan (2012), Dierks Bentley (2013), Jake Owen (2014), Big & Rich (2015), Toby Keith (2016), Sam Hunt (2017) and Luke Combs (2018).
“It is a dream come true to perform at THE PLAYERS and on the famous Island Green 17th hole, in front of so many passionate fans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces,” Pardi said. “I cannot wait to kick off one of the best sports events in the world with a performance that will get the crowd excited for a great week, while also honoring the men and women who serve our country every day. It’s going to be an incredibly special night.”
Pardi's Platinum-certified album “California Sunrise” (Capitol Records Nashville) debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, earning him the 2017 CMA New Artist of The Year and ACM New Male Vocalist Of The Year. He was at the top of the country music charts with consecutive No. 1 hits including "Dirt On My Boots," Platinum-selling "Head Over Boots" and "Heartache On The Dance Floor." Pardi is currently touring nationwide with Dierks Bentley's Burning Man Tour and promoting his current single "Night Shift."
“California Sunrise” is the follow up to “Write You A Song” (Capitol Records Nashville), which debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and yielded Top 10 Gold-selling song “Up All Night,” “What I Can’t Put Down,” “Missin’ You Crazy” and “When I’ve Been Drinkin” (all co-written by Pardi).
Pardi has toured with country music forerunners, including Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Zac Brown Band and Dwight Yoakam. The West Coast native and fast-rising newcomer received multiple first-ever nominations at the 2017 CMA Awards, CMT Awards, ACM Awards and AMA Awards.
“As the son of a retired Naval master chief, Military Appreciation Day at THE PLAYERS holds a very special place in my heart,” said Adam Campbell, THE PLAYERS 2019 tournament chairman. “I am thrilled to have Jon Pardi join us in honoring our men and women of uniform. I know his concert is going to be an amazing experience for everyone involved.”
Other military-related events/specials
In addition to Military Appreciation Day, THE PLAYERS provides all career military (active duty, reserve, military retirees and dependents) with complimentary admission to the tournament all week, in addition to discounted admission for veterans. To obtain vouchers, go to THEPLAYERS.com/tickets and click REDEEM in the Military Ticket section. Parking is not included with the free or discounted ticket Thursday through Sunday. All parking on Tuesday and Wednesday is free.
Throughout tournament week, all active duty and reserve military members, military retirees, veterans and their dependents will have access to the Birdies for the Brave® Patriots’ Outpost, a hospitality tent reserved exclusively for the military that offers complimentary food, beverages and activities. Located near the tee at No. 16, the Patriots’ Outpost is financially supported by THE PLAYERS and Jacksonville-area companies and individuals. United Rentals is the lead sponsor of the Birdies for the Brave® Patriots’ Outpost. In 2018, THE PLAYERS issued more than 26,500 complimentary military tickets and hosted more than 22,000 military members and their families in the Patriots’ Outpost.
Prior to tournament week, THE PLAYERS will welcome active duty, reserve, retired military, veterans, and military spouses to TPC Sawgrass on Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Birdies for the Brave® Patriots’ Outpost to participate in its eighth annual Military Job Fair, in partnership with the Jacksonville Military Veterans Coalition and sponsored by United Rentals. The Military Job Fair is free and open to military personnel, veterans and military spouses who are seeking employment. There will be approximately 50 companies on hand, all with open hiring opportunities.
On Sunday, March 10, THE PLAYERS and Birdies for the Brave® will again partner with Operation Shower to host a private, invite only, group baby shower for 40 military moms-to-be. Scheduled to be held from 12 to 2 p.m. in the Birdies for the Brave® Patriots’ Outpost, the event will be sponsored by United Rentals and will feature Operation Shower’s signature Shower-In-A-Box, high-quality gifts for the moms and babies provided by sponsors and donors.
THE PLAYERS will be held March 12-17. More information is available at THEPLAYERS.com.
