THE PLAYERS Championship announced today that Houston Bowles has been named its 2023 Tournament Chairman. Bowles succeeds Matt Welch in the role that oversees the more than 2,000 volunteers who support all elements of the PGA TOUR’s flagship event. In addition, Laura Renstrom has been appointed the newest Vice-Chair, becoming THE PLAYERS’ fourth female chairperson.

The volunteer leadership team, commonly known as the Red and Blue Coats, manages the 47 committees responsible for the operations integral to THE PLAYERS’ success. The 2023 volunteer leadership team is as follows: Chairman Houston Bowles, First Vice-Chair Lee Nimnicht and Vice-Chairs Tyler Oldenburg, Marc Hassan, Kevin Copeland and Laura Renstrom. 

Entering his 24^th year as a volunteer with THE PLAYERS, Bowles has managed a variety of committees, including benefactor, commissary, corporate hospitality, ecology, general parking, offsite parking, volunteer parking, VIP parking and walking scorers.

“I am so honored to work alongside the amazing volunteer team at THE PLAYERS and assume the position of 2023 Chairman,” said Bowles. “THE PLAYERS volunteers have become my extended family over the last 20-plus years, and their passion and dedication continually motivate me to always do my best.  I hope to live up to the high standards set by Matt Welch and all past chairpersons and am looking forward to a 2023 championship that is successful on the course and throughout the greater Northeast Florida community.”

A Maryland native, Bowles holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Lynchburg, where he played on the school’s lacrosse team. Bowles moved to northeast Florida in 1998 and is currently a Federal Account Manager for North Florida at Florida Blue.