Lee Smith is executive director for THE PLAYERS Championship.
You have extensive experience with The PGA Tour, and you’ve served as executive director with THE PLAYERS Championship for the past three years (four if you include 2026). This might be a good time to look back and take account of your tenure thus far.
Are there some accomplishments that you’re especially proud of or stand-out moments you will always remember?
I didn’t have any hand in it and I’m not sure I can take credit, but the world’s number one and number two players happened to win my first two PLAYERS, which is pretty remarkable. The thing I’m actually most proud of is that THE PLAYERS has a presence 52 weeks a year, and that ongoing connection is something that really sets the tournament apart.
Thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the support of our community, our tournament has been able to contribute more than $120 million to local causes.
What are some of the most exciting innovations this year?
Every year, we look for ways to refine the experience for players and fans, both on the course and in the competition, as well as for fans on-site and at home. That includes enhancing fan activations and premium offerings, adding digital features like our fantasy league, and bringing in new food vendors and fresh brands in the fan shop.
This year, that meant opening a luxury steakhouse at Hole 18 for PLAYERS Club members and expanding interactive activations in Palm Valley Village to make the week even more engaging.
Probably too many enhancements to mention from year to year, but I encourage all to come out and enjoy the athletes, golf course, culinary delights and community networking. There is something at THE PLAYERS for everyone.
How about the future? Can we expect to see some further innovations and developments in the years to come?
Planning for the 2027 PLAYERS is already underway, and we don’t stop once the tournament is over. The tournament continues to evolve while staying true to the traditions that make it special.
The scope of all the behind-the-scenes activity required to present an event as huge as THE PLAYERS Championship is, frankly, awe-inspiring. Can you give us some idea of the degree of planning, the many hours devoted to this effort and perhaps some of the challenges that must be met?
The planning behind THE PLAYERS Championship is a massive, year-round effort. We coordinate with vendors, manage more than 2,200 volunteers, oversee global marketing and ensure broadcast partners and hospitality events all come together seamlessly.
There are a lot of moving parts and many interested parties, and it takes careful coordination and the full team working together to pull it off successfully. As an example, this year we have 85 separate special events happening around THE PLAYERS throughout the week that our team manages and executes.
How critical are the many volunteers who contribute to each tournament?
Volunteers are absolutely critical to the success of THE PLAYERS Championship. They provide more than 67,000 service hours over the course of the event, bringing energy, professionalism and hospitality that make the experience exceptional for players and fans. Without them, we simply couldn’t run the tournament at this level.
THE PLAYERS Championship is a major source of community support, donating to important nonprofits, and hosting events like the Military Job Fair and Dream Day. I imagine there must be a great satisfaction in giving back in so many varied ways. Can you share some of your thoughts on this aspect of the tournament?
Giving back is really the reason we do everything. THE PLAYERS Championship isn’t just about the week of competition. It’s about making a difference in the community year-round. Every fan can be part of it; every ticket, taco and T-shirt purchased helps support these programs and the causes we care about.
