TPC Sawgrass welcomes Executive Chef Johnattan Hernandez

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida - TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS Championship, is pleased to welcome its new executive chef, Johnattan Hernandez. With more than 20 years of experience, Hernandez will be responsible for managing the culinary operations for the entire property.

"We are excited to welcome Chef Johnattan back to TPC Sawgrass, where his diverse industry experience will pay immediate dividends for our members and guests," said Kent James, Vice President of Food and Beverage, PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties. "His dedication and passion for an elevated dining experience will be a tremendous asset to our club, and we look forward to watching he and his team build upon the rich culinary experience here at TPC Sawgrass."

A native of Puerto Rico, Hernandez most recently served as the chef director at TPC Las Vegas, where his elevated food and beverage program earned high praise from guests. Prior to his role in Nevada, Hernandez distinguished himself as the executive sous chef at TPC Sawgrass for four years from 2018 to 2023, contributing his talents to several editions of THE PLAYERS Championship. In his recent return to TPC Sawgrass, Hernandez has already demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership, including a victory at First Tee - North Florida's recent Taste of Golf competition, which included some of the area's top private club and resort chefs.

"I'm thrilled to return to TPC Sawgrass and lead its incredible culinary team - it feels like coming home," Hernandez said. "I greatly admire the culture cultivated here and within the TPC Network and will work to build upon that night in and night out as we continue to deliver unforgettable experiences to our members and guests. I look forward to bringing back some of TPC Sawgrass' favorite dishes that we all know and love, while introducing new dishes as we build upon the tremendous dining legacy at TPC Sawgrass."

Hernandez's culinary arch began in 2002 at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton, Philadelphia. He honed his craft working on the culinary teams at Al Sur restaurant in the Art Museum of Puerto Rico and at the Ritz-Carlton, San Juan, where his talent was recognized with numerous awards, including Taste of the Caribbean's Chef of the Year. His diverse experience also spans across the United States, from opening a Marriott Autograph Collection in Key Largo, Florida, to serving as executive chef at BLT Market in the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach and leading the culinary team at Penn State's Corporate HQ.

###
About TPC Sawgrass:
As the world headquarters of professional golf, the public courses at TPC Sawgrass offer an unparalleled experience. For those looking for the ultimate Florida golf vacation, TPC Sawgrass boasts two immaculately maintained golf courses, both designed by the legendary Pete Dye. As the first true "Stadium Course," the golf course is designed to improve the overall on-site fan experience and is permanent the home of THE PLAYERS Championship. With its signature island green, the 17th hole is one of the most widely recognized golf holes in the world. This legendary golf course has captured the imagination of golf fans all over the world and is consistently named among the top golf courses worldwide. While championship tees stretch THE PLAYERS Stadium Course to 7,245 yards, there are four other yardage options to suit any players' game. The Dye's Valley Course was the former host to the Korn Ferry Championship Tour as well as prestigious events like the SENIOR PLAYERS Championship, the NFL Golf Classic, and the final stage of PGA TOUR Champions Q-School. The course is also connected to the luxury Sawgrass Marriott® Golf Resort & Spa which offers guests Stay & Play golf packages to enjoy. Learn more at www.tpc.com/sawgrass.

About TPC Network
Owned, operated and licensed by the PGA TOUR, the TPC Network is comprised of 29 premier private, resort and daily fee golf properties designed by some of golf's most elite architects. Sixteen of the clubs are operated by affiliates of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties, Inc. Each TPC meets the requirements to host TOUR-sanctioned events. Since TPC Sawgrass first opened its world-renowned PLAYERS Stadium Course in the fall of 1980, TPCs have provided the PGA TOUR with rent-free venues for tournaments, helping to boost championship golf purses and increasing charitable donations to grass roots non-profit organizations. At the same time, TPCs have provided recreational golfers with the unique opportunity to test their skills on the same layouts where the world's best golfers compete.

TPCs are known for their history of hosting PGA TOUR-sanctioned events, their outstanding conditioning and amenities, as well as a commitment to environmental excellence. The TPC Network is also distinguished by its unwavering commitment to further the PGA TOUR's mission of giving back through support of charitable and grass-roots programs. For more information, please visit www.tpc.com. For the most up-to-date news, follow the TPC Network on Twitter (@PlayTPC), Instagram (@PlayTPC) or Facebook.com/TPCNetwork.