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Since the world's best golfers last gathered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., for THE PLAYERS Championship last spring, the event has undergone a metamorphosis. Building upon its reputation as the PGA TOUR'S premier golf tournament hosting one of the most competitive fields in the sport, the changes serve to carve out a unique place in the future of the game.

A revamped PLAYERS Stadium Course at the TPC Sawgrass will offer a grander and more complete experience for both the world's best players who compete in THE PLAYERS and for the thousands of resort guests who annually visit one of the most popular golf destinations.

Unveiling the new PLAYERS Championship logo was a high point for Brian Goin and his fellow PGA TOUR officials. (WireImage)

"We are still busy putting the finishing touches on as we speak," says PLAYERS Championship Executive Director Brian Goin. "But I have no doubt that all of the changes will make for a very exciting and unforgettable tournament experience."

Goin is already starting to show national and local media all that fans can expect next month, so he fielded some questions from PGA TOUR.com about the most anticipated event of the year.

Q: Talk about some of the most notable changes made to THE PLAYERS.

A: Almost everything has changed. Very few things actually will remain the same. Changes include the date, the logo, the clubhouse, the golf course updates, the range, outside the ropes spectator viewing area and mounding. We have a new hospitality tent look, new parking/shuttle plan, new main entry village and main entrance to the tournament. Much more, but as you can tell, a lot of things will be new in 2007.

Q: What are some of the changes that won't be seen on the surface but will impact the play?

A: The biggest will be the drainage and the sub-air system that was done over the past year on the golf course. This will make the course play hard and fast which is how it was intended for the best players in the world competing during THE PLAYERS.

Q: How will technology be a key player in this year's tournament?

A: This year THE PLAYERS will have several new technological enhancements for our fans. The first will be 22 LED scoreboards which will replace the old glow cube scoreboard system. We will also have 5 video boards located throughout the course. These boards will all be directly tied to the PGA TOUR Shot-Link technology to enhance the fans ability to follow scores and shots as the players play their rounds. We will also have hand-held devices available for rent which will give the fan an on-demand feature for the Shot-Link technology. We will also introduce sound to the video boards showing our over 20 hours of television coverage through satellite radios available on site. These are just a few of the ways that the fan should enjoy the new technology.

Q: What about other elements that will enhance THE PLAYERS experience for fans?

A: There will be additional bleachers around 18, and we will introduce bleachers at 17 and at hole 9. The fan will also enjoy our new Tournament Village which includes merchandising, an upscale concession area with a video board, THE PLAYERS Championship History Pavilion, as well as exhibit areas for our Proud Partners - UBS, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Jeld-Wen.

Q: Parking is always important for fans, talk about some of the changes there.

A: Parking has always been our biggest issue. In 2007, we have addressed and solved several issues. First, all of our on-site parking has been solidified. All parking can be handled on site Monday through Wednesday for free in our General Parking Lot off County Road 210. In order to allow additional spectators and cars, we will move our General Parking Lot to the University of North Florida off Kernan Boulevard and JTB Boulevard (State Road 202) Thursday through Sunday. All parking in the General Lot will be free, and there will be a free shuttle. Thursday through Sunday all on-site parking will require a parking pass that must be purchased in advance.

Q: What have been the early reactions from golfers and fans?

A: It seems to be one of excitement and anticipation. I think there is a huge "we can't wait to experience the new PLAYERS" factor.

Q: Will fans who watch THE PLAYERS on television notice any changes?

A: The fans are going to get to see the TPC Sawgrass in a whole new way -- Hi-Definition. This new element, being introduced this year, will enhance the entire tournament and broadcast for the viewer. They will also notice the decrease in commercial inventory. Thanks to our three Proud Partner, UBS, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Jeld-Wen, the commercial inventory will be reduced by eight minutes per hour, so the viewers will see a lot more golf.

Q: How have the changes to THE PLAYERS impacted the way you put the tournament together?

A: Anytime you make changes you focus a lot of attention on details so the change is positive. With all the changes we are addressing in 2007, our staff and volunteers have worked very hard to address any issues that could cause the experience to be negative. As with any event this size, we are all extremely excited to see these changes through and address any issues that may pop up. It should be a fun, fun year.

Q: Volunteers have afforded THE PLAYERS to be the most charitable sporting event in North East Florida, how will the changes impact the giving arm of the tournament?

A: We expect everything to be bigger and better in 2007, including our volunteer force as well as our charitable donation. The 2006 record of $2.7 million should be surpassed if all goes well this year. Our Chairman, Tim Tresca, and the more than 1,700 volunteers have put forth more effort on this year's event than any in which I have previously been involved. We are thankful to have what I consider the best volunteers on TOUR.

Q: Finally, how is the City of Jacksonville playing a bigger role in this year's tournament?

A: As THE PLAYERS Championship grows in national stature and in spectators visiting from around the globe, it is important that the entire First Coast area show support and pride and welcome these visitors. We will start at the airport with banners, signs and our countdown clock. We anticipate many of these spectators will stay in the downtown area, and it's important that those spectators, once removed from the tournament site and the beach, still feel a sense of THE PLAYERS activities where they are staying. We expect THE PLAYERS downtown experience to grow and draw spectators and locals alike to the downtown environment. Details are still being finalized; however, we anticipate a great relationship with the Jacksonville Suns and an area of downtown earmarked for music, fireworks, displays and fun.

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