PALM HARBOR, Fla. - When you say the name Ronde Barber, most people think of the pick six against the Philadelphia Eagles that sent the Tampa Bay Bucs to their first Super Bowl.
But these days, Ronde’s becoming equally known for his prowess on the golf course and in the board room.
Such is the life when you’re the General Chairman of the Valspar Championship. You have to do things you don’t normally do. And you have to do things above and beyond to pull it off.
“I’ve learned a lot about what goes into creating this event and this tournament,” Barber said.
It’s more than golf. It’s recruiting players, it’s a lot of corporate meetings and a lot of breakfasts. But Ronde jumped into his new role head first.
“Once you know, really, how the sausage is made, I’ve used that term a couple of times, it’s almost impossible to not be hands on and involved,” he said. “I’m really vested in what’s going on with the Copperhead Charities and the amount of money we give back to the community and really putting on one heck of an event every March.”
Some celebrities lend their names to events but are relegated to the role of a figurehead. Not Ronde.
“He’s a rock,” tournament director Tracy West said. “There is no question that Ronde is extremely invested and extremely involved in this tournament.”
West has her hands full with one of the top stops on the PGA Tour. So having someone of Ronde’s caliber lend a hand means everything.
“Our patrons and fans come out and they see a great event happening on the Copperhead,” she said. “They don’t know necessarily, nor should they know and understand the other 51 weeks that go into this.”
No settling for second best. Ronde never did on the football field and he isn’t on the golf course either. He wants the Valspar to be the best and he’s challenging those around him to raise the bar.
You don’t win a Super Bowl, get selected to five Pro Bowls and earn a spot in the Bucs Ring of Honor without a hyper competitive nature. And now that energy that Ronde expelled on the football field has transferred to the Valspar Championship.
“Same thing I’ve always done my entire professional life,” he said. “Having a goal or a plan and being able to find a way to execute it and see it succeed, that’s what I’m getting out of this.”
And he wants each and every player and fan that attends the Valspar to have the experience of a lifetime.
“That they came and had a great time,” he said. “That they had a colorful time. Most colorful event on the PGA Tour. Look, we do a lot more than just put on a golf tournament.
“If you’ve been to it, you know that. Everything is more than just golf. Great golf course, great golfers but this event is much more than just that.”