On Dec. 3, the Storyteller Luncheon brought together guests, volunteers and charity representatives to celebrate a remarkable year of service and philanthropy through the Storyteller Program.
This volunteer-led initiative celebrates the rich history of The PLAYERS Championship and the iconic TPC Sawgrass. Through complimentary guided tours, Storytellers bring the legacy of THE PLAYERS and the game of golf to life, highlighting memorable moments and fostering connections among visitors, members and the local community.
With more than 5,800 guests welcomed this past year with an average of visitors from 35 states and 10 countries per month, the program continues to connect people through its engaging tours and charitable initiatives.
This year’s event celebrated the efforts of the Storyteller Advisory and Awards Committee (STAAC), led by Scott Reneau, alongside dedicated members like Denny Baldwin, Bill Briggs, Steve Byers, Linda Lago, John Walls, Janice Wood and Teri Mathes.
Together, they allocated and awarded $38,000 in donations, distributed among five exceptional local charities. This was made possible entirely by the gratuities provided by visitors to Storytellers, who collect and pool these contributions from their tours throughout the year to support these donations.
This year’s honored charities were:
Apryle Showers: Provides respite weekends for families undergoing cancer treatment. Represented by Stephanie Rogers — www.apryleshowers.org
Bit of Faith Ranch: Offers equine-assisted programs for children with autism. Represented by Tammy Romanczuk — www.bitoffaithranch.org
Sisters in Arms: Mentors young women aging out of foster care. Represented by Mary Lourdes Saenz — www.facebook.com/sistersinarmspontevedra
BEAM Troop Tuesday Mayport: Supports junior enlisted families with food assistance. Represented by Jeff Winkler — www.jaxbeam.org
Will of Iron Golf Foundation for Military Vets: Empowers veterans and their families through golf. Represented by Xiomara Spadafora — www.willofironforvets.org
Since its inception, the Storyteller Program has awarded $325,000 in donations. In 2024, the group hosted 23 special events and logged 5,277 service hours. November’s tours alone welcomed 461 guests from 41 states and 10 foreign countries, showcasing the program’s growing reach and impact.
Guests at the luncheon heard moving stories from the awardees themselves, highlighting the importance of their missions. Storytellers Janice Wood and Tobey Jones were also recognized for 500 shifts in the Storyteller Program.
Storyteller tours are available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting at the top of every hour. Tours begin in the main lobby of the clubhouse and include visits to holes 16, 17 and 18 when the Stadium Course is open.
“Seeing the direct impact of our efforts through these charities is truly inspiring,” said Storyteller Fred DiBiase. “The luncheon is not only a celebration of the year’s accomplishments but also a reminder of the power of storytelling to create a positive impact in our community.”
Guests at the luncheon enjoyed heartfelt presentations by charity representatives and award recipients, highlighting the transformative power of these initiatives.
For more information on the Storyteller Program or to get involved, contact Peter verDorn at peterverdorn@pgatourtpc.com.
