In the world of sports memorabilia, money won’t be enough to secure a unique keepsake from the 2025 Players Championship—it requires being born in Northeast Florida this week.
As part of its “Island Baby” program, the tournament is gifting commemorative onesies to newborns at participating hospitals near TPC Sawgrass from March 11 to March 16. Over 500 onesies have been produced, according to Players Championship Executive Director Lee Smith.
“It’s a unique program that gives back to the community and honors new mothers and babies during the tournament,” Smith told CNN Sports.
Launched in 2018, the initiative originally featured onesies embroidered with “Crawl. Walk. Golf” and “Born a Champion” before adopting the “Island Baby” slogan in 2023. It aligns with the tournament’s goal of engaging younger generations, allowing spectators with tickets to bring two children aged 15 or under for free.
Golf isn’t alone in fostering early fan engagement. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) recently celebrated its 150th anniversary by offering newborns a replica jersey, while NBA and MLB teams regularly distribute free apparel to fans.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff t-shirt giveaway, which began in 2010, has since surpassed one million shirts. Meanwhile, the New York Mets will continue their 2025 gate giveaway program, offering jerseys, hats, plush toys, and Hello Kitty collectibles to early-arriving fans at select games.
These initiatives reflect a growing trend of sports organizations building fan loyalty from birth.
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