Honorary Observers
2024 Farmers Insurance Open Honorary Observers Program
Welcome to the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open Honorary Observers Program! This site will give you all of the information you need for your one of a kind on course experience.
The Registration Deadline for all participants is Friday January 12, 2024
Program Overview
The Honorary Observer program provides selected guests with the opportunity to have an exclusive inside the ropes view of the world’s best golfers. Walk step-for-step with the best players in the world and celebrate every great shot witnessed from inside the ropes.
Honorary Observer Group Benefits include:
- Opportunity for two (2) Honorary Observers to walk inside the ropes with one predetermined PGA TOUR group
- Announcement of Honorary Observers’ names on the first tee by the tournament starter
- Inside the ropes credentials for 18 holes
- Custom Travis Mathew hat with Farmers Insurance Open Patch per participant
- Breakfast and snacks during the round
- One ULTRA Zone ticket per participant (unlimited beer, soda, and water at the 9th Tee Hospitality)
- 20% one-time use discount at the Pro Shop or Merchandise Tent
Notes:
- The PGA TOUR predetermines a limited number of tee times where Honorary Observers are allowed
- Honorary Observers must obey all inside the ropes rules as determined by the PGA TOUR for the safety and protection of the players
Process Overview
If you have not already registered, please fill out this Registration Form or contact Doug Botos for help. Please ensure that you are able to receive emails from this address as this will be the primary method of communication.
The timeline of events leading up to your experience is explained below:
- You will receive an email on or before Friday Jan 19 regarding Virtual Training. You must complete the virtual training prior to arriving on-site, and we must receive your digital acknowledgment. Without this digital acknowledgement, you may be forced to give up your Honorary Observer experience.
- On Monday Jan 22, you will receive your Gliderport parking pass and your entry ticket access link via email. Instructions on how to download these passes to your phone will be provided.
- If your experience is Wed Jan 24 or Thu Jan 25, you will receive your assigned tee time via email on Monday Jan 22.
- If your experience is Fri Jan 26 or Sat Jan 27, you will receive your assigned tee time via email the night prior by 8 pm.
- You will then be able to cross-reference your tee time with player pairings (once announced) to discover which professional golfers you will be following.
- On the day of your experience, please arrive with plenty of time to walk and check in. Depending on your starting tee location, you may need up to 1 hour. Please see the Day of Event Information
Tee Time Assignments
Participants will not receive actual tee times until days prior to your tournament experience. Tee times for Honorary Observers are pre-determined and we are not able to accommodate specific requests to walk with specific Pros.
- If your experience is Wed Jan 24 or Thu Jan 25, you will receive your assigned tee time via email on Monday Jan 22.
- If your experience is Fri Jan 26 or Sat Jan 27, you will receive your assigned tee time via email the night prior by 8 pm.
General Guidelines for all Participants
More specific rules and instructions will be given in the Virtual Training Video and also prior to your Honorary Observer experience.
- DO NOT WALK IN THE FAIRWAY
- Do not carry cameras or range finders
- Do not consult in official rulings
- Do not speak to the players (A player may choose to introduce himself, but Honorary Observers should not initiate the introduction)
- Do not use your mobile device inside the ropes at any point during the round
- No video recordings or photographs are allowed at any time
Participant Rules
- Honorary Observers must adhere to all entrance procedures.
- Hole-by-hole walking instructions will be provided by the tournament showing which side of each hole participants must conform to.
- DO NOT WALK IN THE FAIRWAY. Participants must walk in close proximity (six feet or less) of the rope line at all times. These guidelines will be highlighted during orientation and enforced by the tournament throughout the round.
- Honorary Observers will be permitted inside ropes access unless otherwise directed by PGA TOUR or tournament officials.
- During competition, participants must stay either behind or out in front of play, as directed by tournament officials, for each shot during the round, specifically on tee shots. Guests may also be directed by tournament personnel around tees and greens to observe play from a safe distance.
Participant Training
For an introduction to the Honorary Observers Program, please see the PGA TOUR Honorary Observer Video This is not a required video but may be informative.
To complete your 2024 Farmers Insurance Open registration, you must view this virtual training presentation and acknowledge that you understand the PGA TOUR rules for walking inside the ropes. Once you have viewed the entire virtual training presentation, you must complete the training acknowledgment form which will automatically be sent back to our Honorary Observer staff allowing us to record your acknowledgment.
Attire
- Standard golf attire is required:
- Long pants or golf shorts for men
- Long pants, golf shorts, or skirts for women
- Comfortable walking shoes or golf shoes (waterproof shoes recommended)
- Attire not permitted:
- Jeans, cargo pants or cargo shorts
- T-shirts or any shirt without a collar
- Metal spiked golf shoes or open-toed shoes
- Hats and sunglasses are encouraged
- Umbrellas may be used for shade or rain
Day of Event Information
For a stress free and enjoyable experience, please arrive and park NO LATER than 1 hour prior to your tee time. Your provided parking will be at Gliderport (see map below). Honorary Observer check-in will be at the East Gate. NOTE: It is 1 mile from the Main Entrance at the Gliderport to the East Gate and Check-in Location (estimated walk time in crowds is 30 minutes)
Check-in with the Honorary Observer representative at the East Gate Lodge Room using the route as noted on the map below. If your starting tee is #10 South, please check in here 45 minutes prior to tee time, as you will need to then walk back to the #10 tee (approximately 15 minutes). If your starting tee is #1 South, please check in here 30 minutes prior to your tee time.
At check in, you will receive your Inside-the-Ropes Credential, a clear backpack, Travis Mathew hat, lunch voucher, snacks, water, and a wristband for the ULTRA Zone Shared Hospitality located at the #9 tee box. This hospitality area includes all-inclusive beer, seltzer and non-alcoholic beverages, access to ULTRA Zone covered and outdoor tables and seating, access to dedicated ULTRA Zone food and beverage concessions (for purchase only), televisions showing live coverage and scoring, and upgraded restrooms. Participants must be 21 or older with ID to enter.
