PLAYERS update: Fans encouraged to wear orange for Thursday's round

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- THE PLAYERS and the National MS Society of North Florida Chapter have announced that Thursday, May 12, will officially be MS Day at THE PLAYERS. Fans are encouraged to wear orange to the first round of THE PLAYERS 2011 in support of the National MS Society and its campaign to spread awareness regarding Multiple Sclerosis.

Representatives from the National MS Society of North Florida Chapter will also be operating the Pedal to THE PLAYERS MS Bike Valet Thursday through Sunday of tournament week.

New this year, THE PLAYERS will host a Facebook fan event on Thursday, April 21, at Wild Wing Café at Tinseltown. THE PLAYERS Fan Social at Wild Wing Café is open to all fans of THE PLAYERS on Facebook and will feature happy hour drink and food specials and giveaways.

Luke Donald, winner of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship in February, past champion Sergio Garcia, Ponte Vedra Beach resident and 2010 FedExCup Champion Jim Furyk and World No. 1 Martin Kaymer are all committed to compete in THE PLAYERS 2011.

With his win at the Valero Texas Open, PGA TOUR Rookie Brendan Steele is qualified to compete in THE PLAYERS for the first time.

COMMUNITY: MS Day at THE PLAYERS one of three special events designed to increased Multiple Sclerosis awareness in Northeast Florida

Thursday's first round of competition, May 12, will officially be MS Day at THE PLAYERS. Fans are encouraged to wear orange to show their support of the National MS Society's campaign to increase MS awareness around the country. Fans can pick up their free orange National MS Society t-shirt before THE PLAYERS at the National MS Society North Florida Chapter office, located at 4237 Salisbury Road, Suite #406, Jacksonville, FL 32216.

THE PLAYERS is encouraging fans to ride their bikes to this year's event and members of the National MS Society of North Florida Chapter will be providing a safe place for spectators to leave their bikes for the day. The Pedal to THE PLAYERS MS Bike Valet will be conveniently located at ATP Boulevard just off A1A near the P1 entrance behind No. 16 green, and off PGA TOUR Boulevard. For a donation of $5 to the National MS Society, fans can leave their bikes for the full day and then text the bike valet when they are ready to leave to have their bike unlocked and ready for to go. The Pedal to THE PLAYERS MS Bike Valet will be available from May 12-15.

On Thursday, May 5, THE PLAYERS, The National MS Society North Florida Chapter and the TNDC will be offering 200 lucky individuals the opportunity to preview one of the coolest new venues at THE PLAYERS, The Patio. For a $20 donation, The National MS Society North Florida Chapter will grant party-goers a complimentary beverage ticket, appetizers, drink specials and drawings for great prizes. Click here to purchase tickets.

WHAT'S NEW: THE PLAYERS hosts first Facebook fan event Thursday, April 21 at Wild Wing Café

The first Facebook fan event in advance of THE PLAYERS 2011 will take place this Thursday at Wild Wing Café at Tinseltown. Open to all fans of THE PLAYERS on Facebook, THE PLAYERS Fan Social at Wild Wing Café will run from 6-8 p.m. and will offer great food and drink specials as well as prize giveaways. To become a fan of THE PLAYERS on Facebook, click here.