Palm Harbor is about to feel a serious golf surge as the PGA TOUR rolls into town this week. The Valspar Championship tees off Thursday at the Copperhead Course inside Innisbrook Resort, bringing national TV crews, a stacked field of pros and crowds that should keep U.S. 19 buzzing through the weekend. The tournament runs Thursday through Sunday and is expected to mean heavier daytime traffic, busier nearby hotels and restaurants, and a full-on festival vibe around the course’s signature holes and fan zones.
Event Basics
The tournament week runs March 16–22, with official competition rounds Thursday through Sunday and a $9.1 million purse, according to PGA TOUR media. The Copperhead Course has hosted the Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor for years and serves as the final stop on the PGA TOUR’s Florida Swing each March.
Who’s Playing This Week
This year’s field brings plenty of star power, including Brooks Koepka, defending champion Viktor Hovland, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, as listed on the tournament leaderboard and tee sheets. Fans can sort through pairings and featured groups to decide where to camp out along the ropes, per ESPN.
What Fans Need To Know
Whether you are just walking the course or looking to splurge, grounds tickets and premium hospitality options such as the Hooters Owl’s Nest and Snake Pit hospitality are laid out on the tournament’s spectator information page. The week also includes the Valspar LIVE concert lineup. Details on parking zones, shuttle service and rideshare drop-off points are spelled out on the official ticket page to help smooth arrivals and departures, according to Valspar Championship.
Why Copperhead Matters
The Copperhead Course is famous for its closing three-hole gauntlet, the "Snake Pit" at Nos. 16–18, which often decides the tournament and ranks among the toughest finishing stretches on the PGA TOUR, per PGA TOUR ShotLink. That tight, tree-lined finale is a big reason many players and fans circle the Valspar as a must-see stop on the Florida Swing.
Local Impact
Tournament week is not just about birdies and bogeys. Organizers say the Valspar Championship generated about $1.64 million for Tampa Bay charities last year and routinely draws large crowds to Pinellas County during the event, according to Valspar Championship. Hotels and restaurants from Palm Harbor to Tarpon Springs typically report busier bookings and tables during tournament week, as reported by St. Pete Catalyst.
If you are heading out, plan to arrive early, watch the tee times and double-check shuttle instructions. Local news outlets and the tournament office often push out last-minute travel and entry updates. One local preview offers a quick video rundown of the tournament’s start and spectator tips, according to WTSP.
