The inaugural United States Disabled Open Golf Championship will be held May 8-10 at Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, Fla., and the “Ak-Chin Smash in the Sun” long-drive event will be held in Maricopa, Ariz. May 14-15.

The Edwards, Colo., property earned the honor through Troon’s annual awards. Brian Kelley of Manchester Country Club in Bedford, N.H., won “General Manager of the Year” and Jeff Cathey of Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Fla., earned “Superintendent of the Year.”

The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort was named the 2017 Golf Course of the Year from the National Golf Course Owners Association, based on quality of golf course and management, and contributions to the local community and the game. Ak-Chin in Maricopa, Ariz., received the 2017 Player Development Award, which recognizes the property with the most successful player development program.

The National Golf Course Owners Association will announce the winner at the Golf Industry Show in San Diego in February, from a group that includes Forest Dunes GC, Ak-Chin Southern Dunes GC, TPC Boston and Heron Point at Sea Pines Resort.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Ariz., features a six-hole short course called #miniDunes that golfers can play in just over 40 minutes. “The whole idea is to get people out there, with their phones, and listening to music, posting pictures on social media,” said Head Golf Pro Rolland Vaughn.

For the new initiative, the management firm’s properties will host introductory clinics, and special programs and social events, to try to introduce new players to the game through an affordable, fun and educational approach. The agenda also includes events for Troon/LPGA Girls Golf Week.

The Maricopa, Ariz., property’s new #miniDunes, which uses a hashtag in order to appeal to a younger audience, serves as a six-hole short course in the afternoon and a traditional driving range during peak times.

A significant renovation project at the Maricopa, Ariz., property will improve the golf course’s playability while maintaining challenges, with a projected completion date of September 2014.

Miacomet Golf Course in Nantucket, Mass., Tam O’Shanter Golf Course in Canton, Ohio, The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch in Boerne, Texas, and Los Serranos Country Club in Chino Hills, Calif., were nominated for the award. The winner will be announced on February 6 at the NGCOA Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla.