Tournament officials from THE PLAYERS Championship unveiled a first-of-its-kind trophy custom designed by Tiffany & Co. Made of sterling silver and 24k gold vermeil, the trophy was brought to life utilizing cutting-edge 3D technology and will help launch the PGA TOUR’s flagship event into a new era when THE PLAYERS returns to its March date this year at TPC Sawgrass.
The PLAYERS will be held from March 12-17, 2019.
Using a process called “electroforming,” Tiffany & Co. and the PGA TOUR began with the inspiration of the swinging golfer from the iconic PGA TOUR logo. Then, through sophisticated computer modelling, designers incorporated aspects of each of the 38 different winners of THE PLAYERS – from Jack Nicklaus to Webb Simpson with elements of Phil Mickelson, Calvin Peete, Rickie Fowler, Fred Couples and Tiger Woods mixed in between.
“Tiffany & Co. has gone through an arduous level of detail to create a fitting accolade and citation for our champion, one that will continue to elevate the status and stature of THE PLAYERS Championship,” said THE PLAYERS Executive Director Jared Rice. “The final product is beyond stunning and will serve as a fitting final acknowledgement for the player who outlasts the deepest field in our sport.”
“This project was both challenging and fun,” said Andrew Hart, senior vice-president of diamond and jewelry supply at Tiffany & Co. “We had to design and engineer a trophy that was held together from the inside. From the beginning, Tiffany designers and craftspeople in our 18-person shop were dedicated to the highest level of quality and craftsmanship that would pay tribute to the skill and prowess of the tournament’s champion.”
Electroforming is a process that uses electric current to build up layers of a precious metal around a temporary core to create a smooth and seamless finish. The Tiffany & Co design team worked with the PGA TOUR to replicate a golfer whose form was then created into a mold using 3D-printing technology. The golfer stands atop the signature 17th island green, which includes intricate details like the signature Pete Dye pilings and the surrounding water.
“To mimic the texture of the water around the peninsula, the silversmith used a variety of special hammers to mark the silver on top of a hard surface,” said Hart. “He used different angles of blow stokes and different spacing between blows to make the water come alive.”
THE PLAYERS Championship trophy is one of several pieces that Tiffany & Co. has created for the TOUR and its events, including the season-ending FedExCup. Video of the creation of the new trophy as well as images of the final piece can be downloaded for coverage at www.THEPLAYERS2019mediakit.com.
About THE PLAYERS Championship: THE PLAYERS Championship annually combines the best field in golf with the world-class venue that is THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. Optum®, Morgan Stanley and Grant Thornton LLP are the exclusive Proud Partners of THE PLAYERS. Proceeds from THE PLAYERS benefit Northeast Florida charities and have totaled $100 million since the event moved to Ponte Vedra Beach in 1977, including a record $9 million generated in 2018. For more on THE PLAYERS and the surrounding area, visit THEPLAYERS.com or floridashistoriccoast.com.
About Optum: Optum is a leading information and technology-enabled health services business dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. With more than 135,000 people worldwide, Optum delivers intelligent, integrated solutions that help to modernize the health system and improve overall population health. Optum is part of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH).
About Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in more than 42 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit http://www.morganstanley.com.
About Grant Thornton LLP: Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. Grant Thornton, which has revenues in excess of $1.8 billion and operates 58 offices, works with a broad range of dynamic publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations.
“Grant Thornton” refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details.
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