The Players Championship is back in 2025, and it's not just about the game.  This year, the tournament is celebrating a unique tradition.  The tournament is giving away special onesies to babies born in Northeast Florida.  The onesies are a nod to the famous 17th hole, known as the "Island Green. "  This tradition started in 2018.  The onesies have different phrases like "Crawl. Walk. Golf" and "Born a Champion. "  The "Island Baby" slogan was added in 2023.  The tournament wants to introduce golf to the next generation.  The tournament is also offering free tickets to children aged 15 or under.  The tournament is a big deal in golf.  It's known as the unofficial "fifth major. "  The tournament is held at the TPC Sawgrass venue in Ponte Vedra Beach.  The onesies are given to babies born at participating hospitals.  The tournament is giving away over 500 onesies.  The tournament is hoping to reach approximately 12 participating medical centers and hospitals in Northeast Florida.  The tournament is hoping to reach babies born between March 11 and March 16.

The tournament is not the only sport trying to get new fans.  The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) offered a special replica kit to all babies born in Ireland on February 15th.  The kit was to celebrate the 150th anniversary of its first international rugby match.  The IRFU wanted to welcome the next generation of rugby fans.  The IRFU wanted to share this moment with them by giving them their very first kit.  The IRFU wanted to share this moment with them by giving them their very first kit.

The tournament is not the only sport giving away free gear.  The Oklahoma City Thunder handed out their first playoff t-shirts in 2010.  The Thunder handed out over 18, 000 more for the following home fixture less than 48 hours later.  The Thunder has been giving away t-shirts ever since.  The Thunder handed out their 1, 000, 000th t-shirt last April.  The New York Mets are running their gate giveaway program for the 2025 MLB season.  The Mets are offering free gifts to the first 15, 000 fans in line across selected fixtures at Citi Field.  The giveaways include jerseys, plushies, hats, mini bats, as well as bobbleheads of current players and Hello Kitty.

Golf's Biggest Fans: Babies Born in Florida Get a Special Gift

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