[justjim]

We made our annual trip to Bay Hill (Arnold Palmer's Invitational Golf Tournment) yesterday and continue to see more and more Corporate Stands for spectators and less and less for the rest of us. A sign of the times.....Irritating as you see these corporate only stands only half full.

Although inconvenient, we will take our own chairs next time----you can't carry your chairs into the Tournment in their bags---security reasons they say!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by justjim

We made our annual trip to Bay Hill (Arnold Palmer's Invitational Golf Tournment) yesterday and continue to see more and more Corporate Stands for spectators and less and less for the rest of us. A sign of the times.....Irritating as you see these corporate only stands only half full.

Although inconvenient, we will take our own chairs next time----you can't carry your chairs into the Tournment in their bags---security reasons they say!

Corporate sponsorships fuel the show. They couldn't do it on the ticket sales only.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by justjim

We made our annual trip to Bay Hill (Arnold Palmer's Invitational Golf Tournment) yesterday and continue to see more and more Corporate Stands for spectators and less and less for the rest of us. A sign of the times.....Irritating as you see these corporate only stands only half full.

Although inconvenient, we will take our own chairs next time----you can't carry your chairs into the Tournment in their bags---security reasons they say!

Did it always used to be this way? If not, where did the $ come from to fund the tournament in the past?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Did it always used to be this way? If not, where did the $ come from to fund the tournament in the past?

In the past tournaments didn't have a $6,000,000 purse for one thing. In addition to the purse, PGA tour events give huge amounts of money to charities.

Bay Hill is not the same, true. But in case you haven't noticed, the rest of the world ahs changed as well.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Did it always used to be this way? If not, where did the $ come from to fund the tournament in the past?

Sweetie would be sent to Doral every year, years ago, because the company he has always worked for was one of the sponsors. That is how it works. For as long as I can remember. They would pass out goodies and shake hands with visitors to the corporate booths.

The corporations get advertising for their sponsorship. Just business.

I have great good feelings for that big corporation that sent checks all those years and allowed us to have decent insurance. In return Sweetie gave THEM long hours and never turned off his phone during vacations.. (Still working for an affiliate, trying to protect everyone's retirement money)

[justjim]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Corporate sponsorships fuel the show. They couldn't do it on the ticket sales only.

Yes, your correct. It's the same in others sports---Football, baseball, basketball, etc. Corporate sponsors and television they pay the players those millions. Although, two grandchildren and decent seats can set you back $500.00 for just one baseball game.

The golfing experience exception is the Masters Golf Tournment. It's all about the "patrons" at the Masters---if you can get tickets. In short, no corporate stands. We were fortunate to mark the Masters off our bucket list last year---not a practice round but the real Tournment.

No doubt the best seat for most any event is your television set in your family room. Golf is "struggling" to find more participation----these changes I've seen over the last 10-15 years at Bay Hill and other golf tournments don't help IMHO.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

In the past tournaments didn't have a $6,000,000 purse for one thing. In addition to the purse, PGA tour events give huge amounts of money to charities.

Bay Hill is not the same, true. But in case you haven't noticed, the rest of the world. ahs changed as well.

Hey, just asking! I don't even play golf.

[Chi-Town]

One thing is for sure, if you have a pass to a corporate sponsor's tent or event venue your level of enjoyment goes up considerably. And that is what sponsors want and pay for. Customer satisfaction.

[justjim]

Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with Corporate sponsors, I just don't think they should be allowed to "hog" all of the decent spectator spots on the golf course. Sure, we have taken advantage of corporate tickets before and the PGA through the sponsors give a lot of money to charities every year. God Bless Them. Somebody has coined the term "fair and balanced"--and it should be!

[Chi-Town]

The corporate sponsor's used to be just tents kind of tucked out of the way. And there was limited space for them. I have watched the size and space expand over the years especially on courses with a lot of open space. One day it will be like pit row.

[memason]

Just a little tidbit for all the veterans out there.

If you're a veteran, you can get free or half price tickets to the PGA events. For retirees, it's free; for veterans, it half price. I believe your limited to 2 tickets now; yourself and one guest.

Any veterans interested, can go to https://birdiesforthebrave.sheerid.com for ticket information.

They will charge you $1 to verify your veteran status and then you pickup your tickets at the tournament.

In addition, these tickets will get you into the military tents for free food and drinks; always located around the green on one of the holes.

They don't have tickets to every tournament, but they do for the Honda Classic, Valspar and Arnold Palmer Invitational, as well as the tournament up by Jacksonville...forgot the name.

Enjoy!