Creating the ultimate fan experience is what the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational strives to fulfill on a daily basis – through reserved bleacher seating, climate controlled venues, food trucks and social media to name a few.
It was last year at the Bridgestone Invitational where one of the tournament’s youngest fans had the chance to meet some of his favorite players…
Gavin Nalepa has played golf since he was 1-year-old and actively watches tournaments with his dad. So it was no surprise that Gavin wanted his favorite superheroes — Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth at his upcoming 4th birthday party.
The wish for the first- and second-ranked players in the world to be at her son’s birthday party could have stymied Karla Nalepa. But the crafty and creative mother remembered the Fatheads they’d seen of the two golfers in the Fan Village when they took Gavin to his first Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club last year.
Karla, a first-grade teacher at Hartville Elementary, sent a message through the Bridgestone Invitational Facebook page hoping to rent the larger-than-life cardboard heads of Spieth and McIlroy for Gavin’s party.
The result might have been as big a thrill for Gavin as when Spieth won this year’s Masters or when McIlroy won last year’s Bridgestone Invitational. It also made for some cool wall art for his golf-themed bedroom, complete with putting green.
Karla’s Facebook message was read by Courtney Boroff, a manager in marketing services for the PGA TOUR. Boroff works primarily with World Golf Championship events and the Presidents Cup. With the TOUR for eight years, Boroff manages the Bridgestone Invitational’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts along with the website and plans year round on how to increase fan engagement.
“When we’re out at an event, fans will offer to buy these Fatheads. We’ve gotten offers of up to $500,” Boroff said. “This is the first request I’ve received and it seemed like it was something we’d like to get involved in and make this little boy’s birthday special.”
Boroff shipped them to the Nalepas and the box arrived the day before the party.
“I got them out and showed him and he was so excited,” Karla said. “To him, Rory and Jordan were at his party.”
Setting the new standard for Pinterest party ideas, this event for 12 featured a golf ball cake with the Bridgestone Invitational logo, golf ball cookies and of course the fat heads.
Afterward, Karla prepared to ship the Fatheads back, but Boroff had another surprise in store.
“It’s typically not something we do, but I saw the smile on little Gavin’s face and I said he could keep them,” Boroff said. “I’m going to try to get them signed during tournament week.”
The Nalepas are appreciative, even if they don’t get autographed.
“If it happens, it’s great, but we’re still extremely blown away and grateful,” Shane said. “How nice is it for them to go above and beyond like that?”
The Bridgestone Invitational places the players, fans, and volunteers at the heart of everything they do. For the tournament to be able to connect with fans on social media is really special and to make a little boy’s birthday wish is just icing on the cake.
“It makes my job feel worthwhile being able to make connections with the local community,” Boroff said. “Especially making somebody’s day with something as simple as a Fathead.”
Gavin and his family will get the opportunity to continue to share the birthday cheer on the Golf Channel. Gary Williams, host of the Morning Drive show, has his birthday on June 7 and asked to meet Gavin as part of the show’s filming at Firestone Country Club. The show airs on June 8 from 7-9 a.m.