Arnold Palmer Invitational
Golf is one of the most widely played sports in the country, a game rooted in tradition, beloved by young and old. While many states can claim to be the golf capital of the country, Florida is likely the one with the most valid argument. The warm sun from January through December certainly helps, as do the countless perfectly manicured country clubs and courses. Florida is home to more courses than any other state, and the palm trees and waterfront settings make it as gorgeous as it gets.
One of the biggest golf events in Florida every year is the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Named for the iconic golf legend Arnold Palmer, who owned the resort where the tournament is played, this event features some of the best golfers on the planet squaring off. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is set to take place March 3rd-March 6th in front of a crowd of eager fans.
The tournament is a PGA Tour event that has been given invitational status, meaning it will have a field of 120, smaller than the typical tournament. Previous winners of the tournament are a who’s-who of golfing fame. Bryson DeChambeau is the current champion, while Rory Mcllroy and Jason Day have won once in their illustrious careers. Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational a whopping eight times over his career, a record-setting amount.
The players will all be competing for their share of a prize fund of $9,300,000. The winner’s takeaway of this is $1,674,000. It will be an 18-hole, par-72 event at one of the best courses in the state. The course is located at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Bay Hill, a suburb of Orlando.
Bay Hill Club and Lodge is a private golf club and hotel that has hosted the Arnold Palmer Invitational since 1979. There are 27 holes available, designed by Dick Wilson, a famed course designer. It is a picturesque and beautifully taken care of course that is considered one of the best in the state.
Tickets are on sale for the event, with prices ranging from $35 to $80 depending on the day. There are also packages for parking and concessions. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is an event that brings a crowd, so move fast for tickets!
Great Golfing Areas Near Orlando
Bay Hill isn’t the only area near Orlando with great golfing options. From Celebration to Apopka, Orlando is surrounded by suburbs of small towns and cities that have top-notch golfing options. Orlando isn’t a coastal city, but surrounded by freshwater and perfect temperature, the region around it is one of the best in the state for golf. Let’s explore some of the great places near Orlando perfect for golf lovers.
Let’s start with Windermere, Lake Mary, and Lake Buena Vista. Windermere is a tiny suburb of Orlando, home to just under 3,500. It is surrounded by Lake Down, Lake Bessie, and Lake Butler. Windermere is an affluent little town, and while the main country club within the town recently shuttered, it is only a short drive from some of the best courses in Orlando.
Lake Mary is a suburb of Orlando home to roughly 17,000 residents. It is a quiet city, a short drive away from Orlando, with numerous lakes and freshwater hotspots nearby. Golf courses like Timacuan Golf Club and Heathrow Legacy Country Club make Lake Mary a golf lover’s dream. Lake Buena Vista is best known as the location of the Walt Disney Resort, but while amusement park attractions are its calling card, it also has great golf. Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is top-notch, as is the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club.
Lastly, we have Kissimmee, Winter Garden, and Winter Springs. Kissimmee is south of Orlando near Lake Buena Vista and the amusement parks within. It also has a great location on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga. There are several great courses in the town, including the leafy Kissimmee Bay Country Club.
Winter Garden is a mere 15 miles west of downtown Orlando, near Windermere. Winter Garden is a thriving city home to over 43,000 residents, many of who enjoy golf in their spare time. With several country and golf clubs nearby, there’s a lot to enjoy. Winter Springs is a town north of Orlando near Lake Mary. With around 40,000 residents, it is a pretty and pleasant place to reside. It has numerous great courses nearby, including the gorgeous Tuscawilla Country Club.
