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Lake Buena Vista, Florida – With his dominance in the early 1970s, Jack Nicklaus transformed the championship golf courses at Walt Disney World Resort into his personal playground by winning each of the first three professional tournaments played in the vacation destination iconic, which celebrates its 50th anniversary on October 1.
Generations of players of all levels would discover Walt Disney World Golf, but Nicklaus will always stand out. Half a century later, as the “World’s Most Magical Celebration” begins, he can only smile as he remembers the time he spent in and out of class.
The 1971 opening of Walt Disney World Golfing near Orlando coincided with a resurgence in the Golden Bear’s career, ushering in a brilliant period that left no doubt about his status as one of the greatest golfers of his time.
At 26, Nicklaus had become the youngest golfer to win the sport’s four major championships. After winning his second US Open title in 1967 – breaking Ben Hogan’s 72-hole record at Baltusrol – Nicklaus suffered some slump by his high standards. He didn’t win another major tournament until 1970, when he won the Open Championship over the Old Course at St. Andrews.
Then came 1971, the year of Magic Kingdom The theme park opened to the public and the year Walt Disney World hosted its first PGA TOUR event. It was also the year Nicklaus became the first player to win all four majors more than once. He won the PGA Championship that season and was no worse than fifth in any of golf’s four majors.
Back to Back to Back
In 1971, Nicklaus won the first Disney Classic. He continued to repeat the following year, dominating with a total of 21 under par to win by nine strokes, then had three straight strokes edging Mason Rudolph in 1973.
“I remember going there and playing on their resort courses,” recalls Nicklaus. “I (them) played well. We played the Palm and Magnolia courses for the tournament, and I won it in ’71, then I won it in ’72, and won it in ’73.
The PGA TOUR event then moved to a best ball format from 1974 to 1981.
Highlighted by 19 PGA TOUR victories from 1971 to 1973, including four majors and his three Disney titles, the early 1970s was an exciting time for the Nicklaus family.
He and his wife Barbara were parents of five children and they made the most of their time at Walt Disney World. Resort during this period.
“We took them to Magic Kingdom every night and did everything parents do with the kids, and we enjoyed that. It was a lot of fun, ”said Nicklaus, recalling the collaboration between what has come to be known as“ The Most Magical Place on Earth ”and“ The Happiest Place on the Lawn. ”
Walt disney world would go on to host memorable tournaments and the biggest names in golf – among them, Tiger Woods, who, at 20 in 1996, shot a 66 final round to win his second TOUR title. Woods won again at Disney in 1999, beating Ernie Els suddenly.
Payne Stewart, Lanny Wadkins, Larry Nelson, Raymond Floyd, Vijay Singh, Luke Donald, Stephen Ames, Lucas Glover, Davis Love III and David Duval are other notable players who have achieved PGA TOUR titles on the Walt Disney World courses. Resort.
“Obviously playing and winning there is great, but it’s mostly about family,” Love said. “We played the parent-child tournament and the kids were looking forward to it. We took the monorail and staying on the golf course is so much fun. I have fond memories of Disney golf. “
Players of the PGA TOUR and LPGA Tour champions have also thrived at Disney World. In 1975, Charlie Sifford survived a playoff to win the first of five PGA Senior Championships held at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course. Pat Bradley won in 1995 at Disney the first live broadcast of an LPGA event by Golf Channel. Karrie Webb in 1996 and Michelle McGann the following year each conquered Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course to claim victories on the LPGA Tour.
Hal Sutton called it a ‘dream come true’ when he landed a 15-foot putt on the fourth playoff hole to defeat Bill Britton for his first PGA TOUR win at the 1982 Disney Classic after returning from the tournament. in individual stroke play. Indeed, the resort is a place where dreams come true. The four unique courses (Disney’s Palm, Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, and Oak Trail Golf Courses) offer trails challenging enough for the best in the world, yet friendly enough for golfers of all ages and skill levels.
Redesigned in 2013, Arnold Palmer Design Company’s extensive efforts at Disney’s Palm golf course were recognized two years later by Golf Magazine with the “Renovation of the Year” award. Arnold Palmer Golf Management continues its commitment to excellence through continual physical improvements to each of its courses as well as the programs and amenities that customers expect.
After more than four decades of hosting annual tournaments televised by ABC, ESPN, NBC and Golf Channel, the last PGA TOUR event was held at Walt Disney World in 2012. The focus has since shifted to expanding the amateur reach of golf, where Disney continues to showcase the same world-class amenities while delivering an exceptional experience in an incredibly beautiful setting for the general public, resort guests, family vacations, industry gatherings, and more. Golf Digest has ranked Walt Disney World Golf among its top five destinations for a family golf trip.
Magical moments in professional golf at Walt Disney World Appeal
1971 – Jack Nicklaus wins the first Walt Disney World Golf Classic. Nicklaus continued to dominate the following year, capturing the event by nine strokes and then making three in a row edging Mason Rudolph in 1973.
1975 – Charlie Sifford finishes 8 under par and survives a playoff to win the first of five PGA Senior Championships played at the Disney Magnolia Golf Course.
1982 – Hal Sutton calls it a dream come true after hitting a 15-foot putt on the fourth hole of the playoffs to defeat Bill Britton for his first PGA TOUR victory in the Walt Disney World Golf Classic.
1993 – After a rain delay, officials illuminate the 18th hole of Disney’s Magnolia golf course with artificial lighting as Jeff Maggert defeats Greg Kraft by three strokes in the final round of Walt Disney World Golf classic.
1995 – In the first live event of the LPGA Tour broadcast by Golf Channel, Pat Bradley wins the LPGA at Walt Disney World Appeal.
1996 – 20-year-old rookie named Tiger Woods shoots a 66 in the final round to claim his second career PGA TOUR victory at Walt Disney World Golf classic. Woods bolstered his reputation by becoming the first player in 15 years to make the top five at five consecutive TOUR events. The same year, Karrie Webb won the LPGA trophy at Walt Disney World Resort.
1997 – Michelle McGann conquers Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course on her way to win the last of the LPGA tournaments there.
1999 – Tiger Woods wins a second Walt Disney World Golf classic, beating Ernie Els in one stroke – one of Woods’ eight wins this season.
2000 – Duffy Waldorf equals John Huston’s tournament record by finishing 26 under par to beat Steve Flesch in one stroke at Walt Disney World Appeal.
2005 – Lucas Glover comes out of a 40-yard bunker to birdie for a one-shot victory over Tom Pernice Jr. at Walt Disney World Appeal. Glover would win the US Open four years later.
2006 – Justin Rose records 12 birdies shooting a course record of 60 on Disney’s Palm Golf Course on the first round, but it’s Joe Durant who finishes 25 under par and wins by four strokes.
2011 – Walt Disney World Resort and Arnold Palmer Golf Management agree to a 20-year agreement to operate, manage, maintain and promote Disney’s Palm, Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista and Oak Trail golf courses.
2013 – Arnold Palmer Design Company rebuilt Disney’s Palm Golf Course from tees to greens, including bunkers.
2015 – Renovation of Disney’s Palm Golf Course by Arnold Palmer Design wins Renovation of the Year award from Golf Inc. Magazine. At the same time, bunker renovation is completed for the entire Disney’s Golf Course Magnolia, as well as the construction of junior tees at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course.
2017 – The iconic Mickey Mouse bunker on the 6th par 3 of Disney’s Magnolia golf course is enhanced by the implementation of a capillary concrete liner to improve drainage and maintain sand conditions. Full course bunker renovations begin at Disney’s Lake Buena Vista and Oak Trail golf courses.
2018 – Complete renovation of the greens at Disney’s Oak Trail golf course
2021 – Walt Disney World Resort celebrates its 50th anniversary
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