Miles Bennett
The Valspar Championship is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, played annually on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida, north of St. Petersburg. The tournament was founded in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic and has been played in March since 2007. The Valspar Championship has been sponsored by various companies over the years, including PODS, Transitions Optical, Inc., EverBank, and Valspar Corporation, the current sponsor. The tournament is known for its challenging course, with narrow fairways, small greens, thick rough, and firm and fast greens, and has been praised by golfers such as Viktor Hovland, Justin Thomas, and Brooks Koepka.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Palm Harbor, north of St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Course | Copperhead Course |
| Tournament founded | 2000 |
| Former names | Tampa Bay Classic, JCPenney Classic |
| Current sponsor | Valspar Corporation |
| Tournament dates (2026) | 16-22 March |
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What You'll Learn
The Valspar Championship is held at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club
The Valspar Championship is played on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, a spectacularly challenging course with incredible views and water features. The course is known for its narrow fairways, small greens, thick rough, and firm and fast greens. It is considered a great test of golf and is a favourite among many professional golfers.
The tournament has been sponsored by various companies over the years, including PODS, Transitions Optical, Inc., EverBank, and, most recently, Valspar Corporation, which signed a four-year deal in 2013 to become the title sponsor. The sponsorship was further extended by three years in 2016, demonstrating Valspar's commitment to the tournament.
The Valspar Championship has a rich history, with players like Vijay Singh setting records. Singh set the tournament record in 2004 with a score of 266 (−18) and won by five strokes. Four players have won the tournament more than once, showcasing its prestige and competitiveness.
The Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club offers a premier PGA Tour event experience, with incredible hospitality, challenging golf courses, and a variety of dining options. The resort also features the famed Snake Pit finale, adding to the excitement of the tournament.
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The tournament was founded in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic
The Valspar Championship is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It was founded in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic and was originally an alternate event in autumn and late summer. The tournament replaced the JCPenney Classic, which had been held annually in central Florida since 1960 and at Innisbrook since 1990.
The Tampa Bay Classic was originally held opposite the Presidents Cup in October 2000. It was scheduled to take place at the same time as the WGC-American Express Championship in September 2001, but the tournament was cancelled due to the September 11 attacks. From 2003 to 2006, the Tampa Bay event had its own slot in the schedule in late October (and early November in 2003) as the last full-field event before the Tour Championship.
In 2007, the Tampa Bay event moved to March, as the Players Championship moved six weeks later to mid-May. For a time, the tournament was without a title sponsor, leading to speculation about its future beyond 2007. However, on January 24, 2007, tournament officials and the PGA Tour announced a six-year sponsorship agreement with PODS of Clearwater, Florida.
The Valspar Championship is now played annually on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, north of St. Petersburg, Florida. The tournament has been sponsored by the Valspar Corporation since 2013 and has raised over $51 million for area charities to date.
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It is played on the Copperhead Course
The Valspar Championship is a professional golf tournament played annually on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbour, Florida. The tournament was founded in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic and was originally an alternate event in autumn and late summer. It replaced the JCPenney Classic, which had been held annually in central Florida since 1960 and at Innisbrook since 1990.
The Copperhead Course is a challenging and renowned championship course. It is ranked as the PGA Tour's 7th toughest course and is the most recognisable of Innisbrook's four courses. The course features narrow fairways, small greens, thick rough, and firm and fast greens. It also includes the famous “Snake Pit”, a series of challenging holes where tournaments are often won and lost.
The course starts with "The Descent", a downhill Par 4 that plays back up into an elevated green. This is followed by "O's Alley", a Par 5 that favours players who drive to the right side. The Par 4 "Bridge Hole" challenges players' distance control, requiring two well-thought-out shots to reach the green.
The Copperhead Course also includes the Par 3 "Forced Carry", known for its tightly mown areas around the green, and "Packard's Double Dogleg", a Par 5 that requires players to follow the contours of the hole to score well. Another notable hole is the Par 3 "Snake Bite", which features bunkering that makes it even more challenging. Finally, the Par 4 "Moccasin" is considered one of the toughest scoring holes on the PGA Tour, testing players' ability to hit a controlled fade into a tight fairway.
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The tournament has had several sponsors over the years
The Valspar Championship is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, played annually on the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida, north of St. Petersburg. The tournament was founded in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic and has had several sponsors over the years.
From 2003 to 2006, the Tampa Bay event had its own slot in the schedule in late October (and early November in 2003) as the last full-field event before the Tour Championship. In 2007, the tournament was without a title sponsor, leading to speculation about its future. However, on January 24, 2007, tournament officials and the PGA Tour announced a six-year sponsorship agreement with PODS of Clearwater, Florida. Unfortunately, PODS chose to withdraw as title sponsor after the 2008 event.
On June 4, 2008, Transitions Optical, Inc., a photochromic lens manufacturer headquartered in Largo, became the new title sponsor. Transitions sponsored the tournament until the end of the 2012 season. With the tournament just two weeks away in 2013, EverBank stepped in as the presenting sponsor. In September 2013, Valspar Corporation signed a four-year deal to become the title sponsor, and the tournament was renamed the Valspar Championship.
In March 2016, the PGA Tour, Valspar Corporation, and Copperhead Charities announced a three-year title sponsorship extension, ensuring Valspar's commitment to the tournament through 2020. This extension occurred during the original contract period, which was from 2013 to 2017. In 2024, it was announced that Valspar would continue its title sponsorship of the Championship through 2030.
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It is a 72-hole event and proceeds go to charity
The Valspar Championship is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It is a 72-hole event hosted at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbour, Florida. The tournament was founded in 2000 as the Tampa Bay Classic and has since been sponsored by various companies, including PODS, Transitions Optical, Inc., EverBank, and currently, the Valspar Corporation.
The Valspar Championship is an official event on the PGA Tour and is known for its challenging course design and charitable initiatives. All proceeds from the tournament go to charity, and to date, the event has raised over $51 million for local causes. This aspect of the tournament makes it unique and adds a layer of social impact to the world of professional golf.
The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook is renowned for its narrow fairways, small greens, thick rough, and firm, fast greens. It offers a traditional golf course design that challenges even the best players in the world. The course is praised by professionals such as Viktor Hovland, Justin Thomas, and Brooks Koepka for its layout and ability to test ball-striking skills.
The Valspar Championship is typically held in March, and the 2025 edition took place from March 16 to 22. The tournament has a rich history, with Vijay Singh setting the record in 2004 with a score of 266 (−18), winning by five strokes. Four players have won the tournament more than once, showcasing the event's competitive nature.
The event also offers a unique experience for attendees, combining unparalleled golf with culinary delights. The Innisbrook Resort provides a welcoming ambiance, a variety of cuisine, live music, and course-side patios to cater to every taste. The Valspar Championship is more than just a golf tournament; it's an opportunity to bring people together, create a diverse and inclusive community, and make a positive impact through charitable giving.
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Frequently asked questions
The Valspar Championship is held at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida, north of St. Petersburg.
The tournament is held annually in March.
The tournament is played on the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.
