Champions Tour Fan Features: Come to play

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Come To Play encompasses both the competitive and interactive elements of the Champions Tour, with "play" meaning both competition among skilled golfers AND a fun, interactive experience for sponsors and fans. Initiated in 2003, the Champions Tour's Fan Features are designed to give the Tour a distinct identity and complement the high level of skill displayed by its members in tournament play. The Champions Tour seeks to be the most approachable, accessible and fan-friendly arena, not only in golf, but in all of sports.

In five years, the program has had significant impact as evidenced by the positive feedback received weekly from tournament promoters, sponsors and fans, with players going out of their way to support the program.

To learn more about Fan Features at your local tournament, click here.

Champions Tour Fan Features (click for more info):

Honorary Observer
Gallery in the Fairway
Champions Tour Player Clinics
Behind the Scenes TV Tour
On-Site Contests
Junior Pro-Ams/Clinics
Trick Shot Clinics
Celebrity Appearances

Honorary Observers

Ten (separate) groups of two persons each can follow along "inside the ropes" with a group of Champions Tour players during a competition round. Honorary Observers walk inside the ropes with Champions Tour players, have their name announced to the gallery on the first tee, get a picture taken with their Champions Tour threesome on the first tee, then get it back autographed by all three players at the end of the round. Additional special perks vary by tournament. Groups are selected by the tournament in the months leading up to the event through sponsor allocations and consumer promotions. One lucky fan may be selected each tournament from the first tee to come inside the ropes as an "observer on the spot".

Gallery in the Fairway

Dropping the ropes on the 18th hole over the weekend, Gallery in the Fairway allows fans to follow the last group in the fairway under the direction of course marshals. The Gallery in the Fairway fan feature has been a tremendous success since its inception, giving golf fans a unique way to experience the action from a new perspective. Walk the same steps as the greatest in the game, and get close to the action as they battle down the stretch!

Champions Tour Player Clinics

Proving they have some of professional sports most interactive and accessible events, Champions Tour tournaments regularly hold clinics hosted by Champions Tour players on any day of tournament week. These clinics provide tournaments with an opportunity to bring fans out to the golf course learn how the worlds most accomplished golfers get their games ready for competition.

Behind the Scenes TV Tour

Available on competition days, this in-depth tour of the broadcast compound and visit to the announce booth to meet the TV talent, allows fans to experience what it takes to bring the Champions Tour to millions of television sets worldwide, each week. In cooperation with the GOLF CHANNEL, many Champions Tour tournaments allow selected fans "Behind the Scenes" to visit the on-site television compound and meet television producers, staff and talent. This opportunity, which typically takes place on Friday of tournament week, allows for a one-in-a-lifetime experience for golf fans to see staff work feverishly to produce the live telecast.

On-Site Contests

A variety of on-site contests can be scheduled throughout tournament week. On-site contests provide a fun way for fans, media and celebrities to interact with each other and Champions Tour professionals. Skills challenges may be implemented at Champions Tour events, in which fans have the opportunity to engage with event sponsors, media and/or Champions Tour players. In some instances, celebrities may participate in on-site contests at Champions Tour event. "H-O-R-S-E" is just one example of contests you may see at Champions Tour events. Just as in the basketball version of "H-O-R-S-E", a participant is eliminated after accruing every letter. All participants will stroke a putt on the putting green in an effort to get it in or as close the hole possible. A participant gets a letter when he/she is the furthest away from the hole on a particular putt.

Junior Pro-Ams/Clinics

Champions Tour players and caddies often participate in a Junior Pro-Am and Junior clinics at Champions Tour events. The Junior clinics and Pro-Ams serve as a great chance for young golfers to improve their games by asking questions and getting instructions from golfing greats, like Andy Bean.

Trick Shot Clinics

Several people have performed trick shot clinics at Champions Tour events over the years. Trick shot clinics provide fans with an entertaining show that is great for the entire family. Personalities include Chuck "The Hitman" Hiter, who combines golf and baseball during his one-hour show for golf fans. The powerful Hiter wows fans by hitting golf balls out of mid-air and performing several other golf "stunts" requiring extreme balance and hand-eye coordination. The Dennis Walters Golf Show involves another personality who provides an hour of great golf, great fun, and an inspiring message based on Dennis's own personal example.

Celebrity Appearances

Many tournaments incorporate celebrities into their event, having them participate in activities where they engage with fans. Such events include meet and greets, autograph sessions, special clinics, as well as other activities that will give fans the opportunity to see their favorite celebrity. Many times, these celebrity appearances also include a Champions Tour player, thus increasing the star power for Champions Tour fans.