You can go home again, and Jacob Davidson is doing just that — to help run The Players Championship.
Davidson, a Jacksonville native who played golf at Trinity Christian and the University of North Florida, has been named the Event Director of The Players. Davidson will oversee the day-to-day planning and execution of the PGA Tour's marquee event, while Lee Smith, the former executive director, assumed an expanded role last May when he was named the Vice President of TPC Sawgrass and The Players.
Davidson attended his first Players Championship as a 10-year-old in 998 and later volunteered at the event while a student-athlete at UNF, where he played golf from 2006-07 to 2010-11. He was a four-time ASUN All-Academic team member, helped found UNF's
first Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter and served as its first President.
Davidson has worked for Callaway Golf over the past decade, holding a series of senior leadership roles in product strategy, athlete relations, tour operations and sports marketing. His most recent position was Vice President of Product Strategy & Product Marketing, overseeing the strategic direction and commercialization of Callaway's equipment portfolio.
Davidson has also been an assistant golf coach at UNF and Mercer. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the UNF and an MBA from Mercer University.
"The opportunity to return home and help lead an event that has meant so much to me throughout my life is incredibly special," said Davidson in a statement. "The Players has had a lasting impact on my life and career and I'm honored to join the team. I look forward to building on the championship's tradition and delivering a great experience for our fans, players, partners and community."
Davidson will have perspective as a First Coast native
Davidson is the first Jacksonville native to hold a senior management position at The Players and Smith said it's a nod to that background and at the same time a look ahead.
"Bringing Jacob home to lead The Players is an investment in the future of this championship," Smith said in a statement. "His leadership, industry expertise and connection to this community will be invaluable as we continue to grow and evolve the championship. I'm excited to work alongside him as we continue raising the bar for our fans, players and partners."
The Players will be at the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass March 9-14. With several ticket and hospitality offerings already sold out or nearing capacity, fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early by visiting ThePlayers.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville native Jacob Davidson hired as Players Events Director
