The Players Championship Watch Party: A Night (and Morning) to Remember

What started as an elegant and sophisticated gathering to watch the final round of The Players Championship at The Velvet Taproom quickly descended into the kind of spectacle that only Willow Dunes could produce.

Sunday Evening: An Event for the Ages

Members arrived in their finest leisurewear, settling into prime barstools and exclusive lounge seating as the tournament unfolded. Cocktails flowed, wagers were placed, and opinions were offered—loudly.

As the leaders battled through TPC Sawgrass, the intensity in The Velvet Taproom only grew. The betting pools expanded—some focused on the winner, others wagering on things like how many commercial breaks Jim Nantz would use the phrase “iconic” and whether anyone in the field would voluntarily lay up on 17.

Then, as the final putts dropped and it became clear that Monday playoff holes would be needed to decide the champion, the party refused to end.

The Issue: Some Members Refused to Leave

At most clubs, a watch party would wrap up nicely with handshakes, a final round of drinks, and members heading home to prepare for Monday’s responsibilities.

But at Willow Dunes?

Certain over-served individuals simply refused to accept the night’s conclusion.

“What’s the point of leaving?” slurred one longtime member, swirling the last of his top-shelf bourbon in his glass. “We’ve got a playoff in the morning. We’ll just wait.”

Max Sterling Loses His Mind

By 2 a.m., Maxwell “Max” Sterling, Director of The Velvet Taproom & Spirited Affairs, had reached his limit.

“You do not live here,” he reminded members.

“We might as well,” countered another, ordering another round.

By 4:30 a.m., things had escalated.

• One member turned the Golden Ale Tap into a personal refilling station.
• Another attempted to nap in the cigar lounge.
• A small group started an impromptu betting pool on which bartender would quit first.

The Monday Morning Aftermath

As sunrise hit, a very exhausted Max Sterling stood behind the bar, arms crossed, staring at the seven remaining die-hards, now half-sober and fully committed to the playoff finish.

Security refused to remove them, citing an unwritten rule that members technically can remain if they are actively discussing club business (which, debatably, they were).

By the time the playoff holes began, those who remained looked a bit worse for wear—but they were still standing (barely).

As the final putt dropped, a collective groan of regret filled the room—not over the tournament, but over the final round of tequila shots that, in hindsight, had been a mistake.

The Aftermath

• Max Sterling has requested “temporary exile” from bartending duties.
• At least two members have called in “sick” (or “exhausted”) to their respective offices.
• A new club policy may be introduced regarding Taproom operating hours during major tournaments.

Until then, let this be a cautionary tale.

Because at Willow Dunes, the only thing more unpredictable than professional golf… is the members watching it.