celebrations will carry all the way through 2022 and even into the start of 2023. He also told us, “A major announcement about future development will be made.” Forsyth wouldn’t go into details, but did admit that, “there are no plans at present to get back on the PGA Tour schedule.’’ The Disney courses hosted PGA TOUR events for 42 consecutive years, from 1971 to 2012. Most were near the end of the season and always drew the top names, as well as, big crowds. When the FedEx Cup Playoffs were incorporated into the PGA TOUR schedule, it created a big climax to each season. The Disney tournament was moved to the fall wrap-around schedule and became an early event in the following year’s season. Forsyth explained, “In thefirst events of anewwrap-around schedule, there were no big names. Without them, there weren’t big crowds and we relinquished our spot on the PGA Tour calendar.’’ Although the glory days of PGA TOUR tournaments held on the Disney Courses are fondly remembered, the resort’s attention shifted to recreational players and Disney World visitors, which proved to be a good thing for all concerned. Golf very much remains a part of the Disney experience, as does its golf history. Arnold Palmer played a huge role in the development of Disney World Golf. Palmer and Disney World arrived in the Orlando area at roughly the same time. In 1971, Arnie was making plans to purchase the Bay Hill Club, although he didn’t fully complete the purchase until 1975. During the interim he met with Sandy Quinn , Disney Resort’s Director of Marketing. Quinn had been assigned the task of bringing a PGA Tour event to the Magnolia and the Palm Courses. Palmer was willing to help get the new tournament off the ground and the Walt Disney World (WDW) Golf Classic was held for the first time in December of 1971.
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