PALM BEACH GARDENS — A family has made a tradition out of sitting on their back porch with signs offering free beer to thousands of golf fans at what is now the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.

Deep Chopra’s porch, which fronts the golf course grounds, has become a staple destination at the tournament over the years.

Many attendees make a point to stop by to take photos with the sign — about 8 feet tall and wide – draped over the porch. It features the message “The Beer Trap” in bold letters and has been shown at Cognizant for the past nine years.

Alongside the words is a depiction of a brown bear statue that sits just steps away. It marks the area known as “The Bear Trap,” which signifies the tough 15th, 16th and 17th holes at the Champion Course at PGA National.

Accompanying the main sign are two smaller ones, stating “free beer yesterday” and “free beer tomorrow”.

It’s often deemed a trap, as Chopra doesn’t actually provide free beer.

Once upon a time he did, during two tournaments in 2016 and 2017. However, he was asked to cease this practice as his complimentary refreshments were in competition with the beer being sold elsewhere on the course.

For Chopra, this routine transcends a simple joke. It is his tribute to the memory of a former neighbor, Larry, who tragically succumbed to pancreatic cancer approximately four years ago.

Larry had been a fixture, taking his position in his backyard adorned with signs each year when the four-day tournament rolled in. This ritual stood strong for half a decade.

“Upon the passing of my friend, his wife conveyed to me that she held only me in trust for safeguarding the signs and continuing the tradition annually,” Chopra, aged 50, expressed. “Since then I have been dutifully placing them on display for everyone to see.”

The activity of golfing was a medium for Chopra and Larry to bond; they would steal away to indulge in a game or two every week.

“Our camaraderie was heightened by our joint escapades,” commented Chopra. “In a way, our golfing style complimented each other well, given that he was a leftie, while I follow the right-handed style,” he added.

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Chopra is an avid golf player and fan of the Cognizant tournament.

“I thought golf was just for older people, but I wish I started playing earlier,” Chopra said. “I love the atmosphere of being out on the greens with friends. It’s just so peaceful and calming to me.”

Chopra plans to start a hashtag #TheBeerTrap to bring more attention to the ritual each year and his friend’s legacy.

Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How did ‘The Beer Trap’ start? The story behind Cognizant tradition