Tim McGraw to make special appearance at THE PLAYERS

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Mar. 30, 2010

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- THE PLAYERS Championship tournament officials announced Friday that three-time Grammy award-winning country music artist Tim McGraw will help the tournament honor area military with a special musical appearance on Wednesday, May 5, during Military Appreciation Day at THE PLAYERS Championship.

Tim McGraw

McGraw is in Jacksonville that week for his 2010 "SOUTHERN VOICE" North American Tour Presented by Outback Steakhouse and will perform at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena on May 6.

THE PLAYERS is scheduled for May 3-9, 2010, at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass.

"The addition of Tim McGraw to our Military Appreciation Day activities will not only be a huge draw for our fans, but also a special way to honor the military personnel who are such an important part of our communities," THE PLAYERS Executive Director Jay Monahan said during a news conference Friday. "We look forward to welcoming Tim to TPC Sawgrass on May 5 to give THE PLAYERS fans a sneak preview of his concert the following day."

McGraw will be a part of a 5 p.m. ceremony during Military Appreciation Day to salute military families. The program on the 18th green will include pageantry by military personnel, a color guard, the National Anthem and a flyover by the Blue Angels, as well as remarks from PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, two-time PLAYERS champion Hal Sutton -- who is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his "Be the right club today" win -- and a representative from the U.S. Military. McGraw will close the program with a special musical performance dedicated to the military and their families.

"I can't begin to sympathize with the immense sacrifice that our U.S. Military and their families make on a daily basis," McGraw said. "I'm proud to be a part of THE PLAYERS Military Appreciation Day and hope that a few songs for these brave men and women will help them to enjoy themselves at the tournament and understand all of our deepest appreciation for their service."

Monahan also took the opportunity Friday to address the 300 assembled sailors at Naval Station Mayport and reiterate THE PLAYERS free admission policy for military personnel. Active duty, reserve and retired military personnel and their dependents are admitted free to the tournament all day, every day. This is an expansion of the military policy from 2009, which provided complimentary admission to military personnel and their families during the practice rounds and after 3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

For 2010, complimentary military ticket information can be obtained at the MWR office on base at Naval Station Mayport, NAS Jacksonville and Naval Station Kings Bay. Military must present ticket and ID (CAC identification card) at the tournament gate. On site parking is free Monday-Wednesday, but parking passes must be purchased in advance for Thursday through Sunday. Parking passes can be purchased at PGATOUR.com.

Once again in 2010, THE PLAYERS will offer hospitality to active, reserve and retired military and dependents at the Patriots' Outpost, located on the hill between No. 16 and No. 18 fairways. The Patriots' Outpost provides complimentary food, beverages and interactive activities.

Tickets to the 2010 PLAYERS can be purchased by clicking here.

Tickets for the practice rounds -- including Military Appreciation Day and the McGraw appearance -- are $30 (includes three tickets good any day Monday-Wednesday), and all children 18 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult all week.

In addition to THE PLAYERS official Web site, fans can keep up to date on everything going on with THE PLAYERS Championship at the new Facebook page.

More on Tim McGraw

In his record-shattering career, Tim McGraw has sold over 40 million albums and dominated the charts with 31 No. 1 singles. Since the release of his debut album in 1993, he has won three Grammys, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, and 10 American Music Awards, while simultaneously maintaining a parallel career as a successful actor.

Now, with the release of "Southern Voice" -- his 10th studio album, and his first in more than two years -- McGraw is extending his achievements even further. Recorded with his longtime producer, Byron Gallimore (Faith Hill, Sugarland), the disc's 12 songs represent a new level of depth and intensity for the singer from the small town of Start, La.; they tell unforgettable stories of lives lived and lessons learned, and reveal a man staring down what it means to be a father, a husband, a Southerner.

One of the world's most beloved live performers (on their historic 2006-2007 Soul2Soul tour, he and his wife, Faith Hill, performed for over two million fans), McGraw will support "Southern Voice" with an extensive tour in 2010.

Since his widely acclaimed performance in the 2004 movie "Friday Night Lights," McGraw has also appeared in "Flicka" (2006), "The Kingdom" (2007), and "Four Christmases" (2008), as well as hosting "Saturday Night Live," a rare honor for a singer in any genre. His career on the big screen reached new heights with a co-starring role in "The Blind Side" with Sandra Bullock.