1971 – Jack Nicklaus wins the inaugural Walt Disney World Open Invitational. Nicklaus would go on to dominate the following year, capturing the event by nine strokes, then make it three in a row by edging Mason Rudolph in 1973.

 

1975 – Charlie Sifford finishes at 8-under par and survives a playoff to win the first of five Senior PGA Championships played on the Disney Magnolia Golf Course.

 

1982 – Hal Sutton calls it a dream come true after sinking a 15-foot putt on the fourth playoff hole to defeat Bill Britton for his first PGA TOUR victory in the Walt Disney World Golf Classic.

 

1993 – Following a rain delay, officials illuminate the 18th hole at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course with artificial lighting as Jeff Maggert defeats Greg Kraft by three strokes in the final round of the Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic.

 

1995 – In the first live LPGA Tour event broadcast by the Golf Channel, Pat Bradley wins the HealthSouth Inaugural at Walt Disney World Resort.

 

1996 – A 20-year-old rookie named Tiger Woods shoots a final-round 66 to capture his second career PGA TOUR victory in the Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic. Woods further establishes his reputation by becoming the first player in 15 years to post a top-five finish in five consecutive TOUR events. That same year, Karrie Webb takes the LPGA Tour’s HealthSouth Inaugural at Walt Disney World Resort.

 

1997 – Michelle McGann conquers Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course en route to capturing the last of the LPGA tournaments there.

 

1999 – Tiger Woods wins a second time at the Walt Disney World Resort, edging Ernie Els by one shot to take the National Car Rental Golf Classic — one of Woods’ eight victories that season.

 

2000 – Duffy Waldorf matches John Huston’s tournament record by finishing at 26 under par to edge Steve Flesch by one shot in the National Car Rental Golf Classic at Walt Disney World Resort.

 

2005 – Lucas Glover holes out from a bunker 40 yards away to make birdie and earn a one-shot victory over Tom Pernice Jr. in the Funai Classic at the Walt Disney World Resort.

 

2006 – Justin Rose records 12 birdies in shooting a course-record 60 on Disney’s Palm Golf Course in the opening round of the Funai Classic, but it’s Joe Durant who goes on to finish at 25 under par and win by four strokes.

 

2011­ – Walt Disney World Resort and Arnold Palmer Golf Management agree to a 20-year agreement assigning the latter to operate, manage, maintain and promote Disney’s Palm, Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista and Oak Trail Golf Courses.

 

2013 –Arnold Palmer Design Company reconstructed Disney’s Palm Golf Course from tees to greens, including bunkers.

 

 

2017 – The iconic Mickey Mouse bunker on the par-3 6th hole of Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course is enhanced by implementation of a Capillary Concrete lining to improve drainage and maintain sand conditions. Full course bunker renovations begin at Disney’s Lake Buena Vista and Oak Trail Golf Courses.

 

2018 – Full greens renovation at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course

 

2021 – As the Walt Disney World Resort Turns 50 Years Old on October 1, Walt Disney World Golf is
proud to be a part of its long history and the World’s Most Magical Celebration.

 

Media Contact:

George McNeilly (APGMGolfMedia@palmergolf.com)

407.791.6851