Zimmer blog: Contest winner's PLAYERS week

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The Zimmers at the World Golf Hall of Fame ceremony Monday night.

John Zimmer, from Victoria, Minn., won the Champions Tour Hall of Fame Trivia Challenge last month. His prize: a trip for two to attend 2011 World Golf Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and The PLAYERS Championship. We asked John to do a daily blog during his trip to give Champions Tour fans a look into his grand prize adventure.

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Monday, May 9, 2011

Dad and I landed about 6 p.m. on Sunday. We were both pretty excited about what we were about to experience. We cruised down to Saint Augustine in a new 2011 Dodge Charger, so it was a smooth drive. The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village is a great hotel, the rooms are really nice. After a quick bite at the downstairs bar, we were off to bed because we knew an unbelievable day awaited us on Monday.

Monday was BEAUTIFUL! We played in the World Golf Hall of Fame Golf Outing, which was on the Slammer and Squire golf course. A great golf course, the greens were outstanding and we hit a lot of good golf shots. Unfortunately not enough to place in the top three but it still was a great experience. After golf, I could tell we were getting close to Induction time. I saw Ernie Els zooming by on a golf cart, I think he was going to hit some balls before he received golf's greatest honor. The ceremony that night was wonderful. Dan Hicks was a great emcee and his voice is as good in person as it is on NBC.

Bob Goalby's presentation of Doug Ford was a very funny and had the crowd laughing every two seconds. President George H.W. Bush, who could not make the event, did a taped interview with Jim Nantz and that was also fantastic and comedic. Every Inductee was represented by family and friends; it was truly a special experience. To top it off, after the Ceremony, I met Hall of Famer Charlie Sifford and golf enthusiast Herb Kohler. Both these guys have done so much for the game of golf, it was awesome to shake their hand and say hello. A big treat!

Tomorrow, we are off to The PLAYERS and neither of us can wait. I've seen #17 on television so many times, it will be a real treat to check it out in person and wonder if I could make the green with 10,000 people watching me. I'm hoping to get to meet some of the players in the field, especially Bubba Watson and Mark O'Meara. Congrats to fellow Minnesotan Tom Lehman on his win at the Regions Tradition this past weekend...we're proud of you, Tom, keep it going!