Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
You could call it the calm before the storm. At the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa, media outlets from around the country and the world are getting in position for what tomorrow- Friday, February 19th – will bring. That’s when Tiger Woods will speak publicly in front of cameras for the first time since he crashed his car outside his Florida home, near Orlando, in late November, later admitting to having a series of extra marital affairs. When Tiger Woods speaks (11am EST) at the PGA Tour Headquarters (TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse) – he will be sitting about one mile away from the hundreds of journalists who have traveled to this ritzy Florida golfing community to hear his apology and find out what his future holds. At least 300 journalists are expected to fill two conference rooms inside the Sawgrass Resort’s convention center to watch Woods’ statement on a large movie screen. Tonight, resort staff worked late getting everything ready and setting up all the phone and internet lines inside the room. (see pics of the conference room below)
Security is tight. At least a half dozen sheriff deputy squad cars from St. John’s County are stationed around the Sawgrass Resort and the gated entrance to the TPC Players Club. Several unmarked squad cars are also patrolling the premises, keeping a close watch.
Friday’s statement by Woods at the Clubhouse is drawing loads of criticism for being a highly orchestrated, staged event. The limited number of press who can go inside the Clubhouse will be there by invitation only and no one is allowed to ask questions. Tonight, the Golf Writers Association of America, which was invited to be present when Woods speaks, announced it will boycott his speech entirely… striking back against the extremely controlled environment surrounding the golf star’s event. The three wire reporters who will be in the room with Woods represent the Associated Press, Reuters and Bloomberg.