Through a new 20-year strategic alliance, all five of the Disney courses will join the portfolio of nearly 70 other courses managed the Palmer group.
Through a new long-term strategic partnership, Arnold Palmer Golf Management will operate, manage, maintain and help to promote all five golf courses at Walt Disney World Resort, effective September 25, reports TravelGolf.com. The five courses—the Palm and Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista, Osprey Ridge and Oak Trail (a nine-hole course)—will now join a portfolio of nearly 70 other courses managed by the Palmer group.
The 20-year strategic alliance will allow the Arnold Palmer team to implement strategic new design features. Future plans include a full renovation of the Palm course, transforming it into an Arnold Palmer design. The Palm and Magnolia have hosted the PGA Tour since the early 1970s. The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic is scheduled for October 17-23 at the courses.
All five of the Disney courses are certified by Audubon International as cooperative wildlife sanctuaries.
Only one other Disney course, the Tom Fazio-designed, Osprey Ridge, is currently connected with a “name-brand” architect, TravelGolf.com notes. The website describes Magnolia and Palm as “two old-school Joe Lee designs that have been beefed up with new tees and more length in recent years but are ready for a little more TLC.”
“After 40 years as a golf course architect, I’m looking forward to this opportunity to contribute to Disney’s rich and storied golf legacy,” Arnold Palmer said in a statement. “I’ve enjoyed a lifetime of memories playing golf, and it will be a great reward to pass that on to those who share a passion both for Disney and the game of golf.”
The relationship with Palmer management, owned by Dallas-based Century Golf Partners, will give Disney members access to the “Palmer Advantage,” a reciprocal club and concierge service program, that provides members with unique travel benefits and access to more than 250 private clubs, resorts and golf courses around the world.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.