Betty Dillard
bdillard@bizpress.net
Spectators and fans will arrive and depart through a new main entrance and park area filled with activities at this year’s Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, May 19-25. Tournament officials unveiled the new gateway and park at Fort Worth’s historic Colonial Country Club on March 24.
The new entrance encompasses the park area east of the golf course, and will feature several attractions such as interactive golf games and live music. Frost Bank will sponsor the new venue, which will be known as “Frost Park at Colonial” for the week. “Frost is happy to be partnering with the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial on this exciting addition,” said Phil Norwood, Tarrant County region chairman for Frost in a news release. “By making the park area accessible to everyone who wants to attend, Frost Park at Colonial gives the tournament even broader appeal for the entire community.”
Fans arriving in the tournament’s public shuttles will be dropped at the park area along Colonial Parkway. In that area will be a golf interactive games area. There will also be a music area offering live entertainment after tournament play ends on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Event goers will then enter the Fan Fest expo tent, featuring official merchandise, concessions and other exhibitors. These new areas are open free to the public each day as well as to event ticket holders. After leaving the Fan Fest tent, spectators will go through a new entrance security checkpoint, near the west end of the park and Rogers Road, which will be closed to vehicle traffic. Fans will show their credential and get wanded by security personnel – a new PGA Tour requirement – before proceeding. From there, spectators will walk along Rogers Road into a new golf course entrance near the fourth hole.
Upon leaving the event at the end of the day, fans will retrace their steps through these venues to return to their cars. Buses will run later in order to accommodate fans who wish to stay and enjoy the music. “We’re very excited about being able to offer this experience to our fans,” said Tournament Chairman Bobby Patton. “This new area gives us some room to do things that we just couldn’t do before, as well as room to grow. According to tournament officials, about one-half of the field for the 2014 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial has committed, with defending champion Boo Weekley heading the list. About 120 total players are expected to chase the tournament’s Leonard Trophy and $6.4 million purse. Public tickets are on sale now.
www.CrownePlazaInvitational.com
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