Players Championship director Lee Smith will also head TPC Sawgrass

TL;DR

Lee Smith has been appointed Vice-President of TPC Sawgrass while continuing as Executive Director of The Players Championship. His new role aims to enhance the synergy between the tournament and the venue.

Key points

Lee Smith appointed Vice-President of TPC Sawgrass
Continues as Executive Director of The Players Championship
Aims to enhance synergy between tournament and venue
Smith has a background in managing major PGA events
The Players Championship donated $1 million to Feeding Northeast Florida

Mentioned in this story

Lee SmithTPC SawgrassThe Players ChampionshipFeeding Northeast Florida

Lee Smith said it's all about riding the current momentum at two of the PGA Tour's primary brands, its marquee tournament and the venue on which it's played, and taking it to yet another level.

The PGA Tour announced last week that Smith, the executive director of The Players Championship since 2018, will now be the Vice-President of the TPC Sawgrass and The Players, combining the leadership of both course and event.

Sound like his workload just increased significantly? Smith, a career PGA professional who came to the Tour after running Liberty National and the Northern Trust, a FedEx Cup Playoff event, is ready to dig in.

Executive Director of The Players Championship Lee Smith thanked President and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida Susan King for their great business relationship before The Players Championship donated $1 million from the proceeds of the 2025 tournaments to Feeding Northeast Florida for their Nutrition Security wing. in Jacksonville, Fla. Wednesday July 9, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]

"While we have significant momentum going at both places, I think the opportunity is to really add gasoline to that momentum and provide a unified vision, as opposed to two separate business units that just communicate," Smith said. "It's to take advantage of my experience in the club world and the event world and bring those two together."

Q&A

Who is Lee Smith and what are his new roles?

Lee Smith is the Executive Director of The Players Championship and has been appointed Vice-President of TPC Sawgrass, overseeing both the tournament and the venue.

What is the significance of Lee Smith's appointment at TPC Sawgrass?

Smith's appointment is significant as it aims to leverage the momentum of both the tournament and the venue to elevate their status in the PGA Tour.

What experience does Lee Smith bring to his new position?

Lee Smith has extensive experience as a PGA professional, having previously managed Liberty National and the Northern Trust, a FedEx Cup Playoff event.

What initiatives has The Players Championship undertaken recently?

Recently, The Players Championship donated $1 million from the proceeds of the 2025 tournaments to Feeding Northeast Florida for their Nutrition Security wing.