Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa announces

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The Official Hotel of the Tournament Players Club (TPC) at Sawgrass and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour International Headquarters and home of THE PLAYERS' Championship, the magnificent 4,800-acre Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa provides "The Players' Choice" sports playground and a private Atlantic Beach Club with privileges exclusive to guests.

Bordered by a 26-mile stretch of uninterrupted, pristine Florida beach between Jacksonville and historic St. Augustine, the award-winning Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa is the second largest golf resort in America with 99 holes of world-renowned championship golf, including the TPC Stadium course. Named one of the top 10 "Golf Resorts in the Country" by T&L Golf and boasting the prestigious Silver Medal from Golf Magazine, the resort offers an unparalleled experience.

For families it is best known as one of the "Top 50 Family Resorts" by Better Homes and Gardens with something for everyone such as nature trails to hike or bike, nine tennis courts, an Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole putting course, table tennis, lagoon fishing, volleyball and an exceptional children's club -- Grasshopper Gang.

The new 20,000 square-foot, freestanding Spa at Sawgrass entices guests with customized treatments to touch mind, body and soul. Relaxing with the serenity of nature, spa goers select tailored sessions with times ranging from 25-minute Express therapies for those with limited time to all-day relaxation experiences, while the gracious staff and warm, accommodating service reflect a Southern flair to the European-style spa.

The sprawling Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa is surrounded by Florida's uppermost Atlantic shore to the east and the marsh-like Intracoastal Waterway to the west. The emerald-glassed Marriott is wrapped with 15 acres of alligator-filled lagoons, waterfall-framed pools, moss-draped water oaks, twisted palms and giant magnolias.

Inside, a variety of exotic plants and palms are among the characteristic focal points of the lobby, which showcases a 70-foot atrium with skylight and a spectacular panoramic view of the lagoon island.

Off the main atrium, a new teakwood deck entices guests to enjoy a and the surrounding lagoons.

The largest meeting resort between Atlanta and Orlando, Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa features 508 guest rooms, suites and golf villas and two group housing coordinators. The unmatched 56,000 square-foot meeting complex has a private entrance and includes a new 16,000 square-foot Champions Ballroom, 8,000 square-foot Masters Ballroom, 4,000 square-foot Heritage Ballroom and 12,500 square feet of dedicated exhibit space.

The meeting complex also includes two executive board rooms, two hospitality suites, five conference rooms, permanent meeting registration desk and meeting planner office with extensive services. A 5,100 square-foot Island Green Pavilion is perfect for weddings and quaint receptions. The resort touts the Pinnacle and Ace Awards from Successful Meetings, Gold Key and Gold Tee Awards from Meetings & Conventions, Paragon Award from Corporate Meetings & Incentives and the Executive Choice Award from Sales & Marketing Management, among others.

Besides being recognized for its contrasting -- wildly native, yet manicured -- amenities, Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa is also synonymous with golf. As home of the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour, Sawgrass offers a myriad of player sightings including golf greats, Jim Furyk and Fred Funk.

With 99 holes spanning five courses, it is one of only two resorts worldwide hosting two TPC courses -- with the Stadium course ranked second in Florida's Best Resort Courses and among "America's Greatest Golf Destinations" by Golf Digest. In addition to world-renowned courses, Sawgrass also offers four practice facilities and six practice greens. David Kraus, the resort director of golf, expertly schedules tee times and coordinates special golf events.

Tennis fanatics choose from nine ATP courts, five lighted for night play, that emulate the three surfaces of major international tournaments -- Wimbledon, U.S. Open and French Open. The complex includes two lush-style grass courts, seven GreenSet Supreme cushioned hard courts and two European red clay courts.

For the younger set ages five to 12, the Grasshopper Gang children's program provides daily supervised activities ranging from sandcastle sculpting and shell scouring along the beach to evening pizza-pool parties, "Dive-In Movies" and pajama parties.

Whether it's sunning along miles of beautiful Atlantic beach, ocean swimming, plunging into one of three swimming pools or two pint-sized pools, fishing in more than 350 acres of freshwater lakes and ponds, embarking on a deep sea charter or launching a sailing excursion -- the water-bound Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa is a seafarer's delight.

A discovery side trip to America's Oldest City, St. Augustine, and shopping at Jacksonville Landing and "boutiquish" Sawgrass Village are only minutes away. Shopping on site is available at Sawgrass Specialties for casual, designer resort wear. Nearby favorite family adventures include the Alligator Farm and the oldest masonry fort in the country, Castillo de San Marcos.

With all the activity, Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa guests treat appetites to an outstanding collection of seven restaurant concepts and two lounges. From THE AUGUSTINE GRILLE, serving grilled specialties in a casual, clubhouse atmosphere to the tantalizing buffets and sensational menu selections of CAFE ON THE GREEN and CAFE ITALIANO and burger and fry favorites of the 100TH HOLE -- Sawgrass Marriott Resort satisfies the tastes of all guests.

The beachfront Cabana Club options range from seafood selections in the distinguished charm of the upper level OCEAN VIEW, with outstanding views of the Atlantic Ocean, to THE SEA PORCH, a casual bar and grill, to SHARKEY'S outdoor snack service for sunbathers.

Lounge favorites include CHAMPS, a dynamic watering hole specializing in tropical spirits and endless entertainment and CASCADES, an intimate lounge cradled by cascading waterfalls. Outside, guests enjoy cocktails with a view of the 13th hole of the TPC Stadium Course on Cascades Deck. Located in the lobby atrium, the new STARBUCKS CAFE offers a quick "pick-me-up" for world-weary guests.

For the spa-goers, SOOTHIES, the poolside juice bar, features well-deserved rewards for a good workout such as energizing drinks and smoothies accompanied by specialized spa cuisine. From world-renowned golf for meeting groups to family fun on the beach, the majestic Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa creates a unique resort collaboration for all types of play.

If You Go

For reservations, call 800.457.GOLF (4653) or 904.285.7777 or visit http://www.sawgrassmarriott.com.

For More Media Information :

Nancy Hartselliautumn Barnes
Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa
Public Relations Counsel
The Zimmerman Agency
(850) 668-2222
nhartsell@zimmerman.com

August 26, 2005