Jack Nicklaus won the tournament the first three years. The format was switched to a team event for five years, 1974-1978, but reverted back to its original stroke-play format until the final event held in 2012. Tiger Woods won the WDW Classic in 1996 and again in 1999. Other champions included; Larry Nelson, Payne Stewart, Davis Love III, Vijay Singh, David Duval, Lanny Wadkins, Ben Crenshaw and Luke Donald. The Magnolia Course is the longest of the Disney courses at 7,516 yards from the tips. With 97 bunkers and water in play on 11 of the 18 holes, it received the most attention. Back in those early days, the television coverage was normally only available on the weekends, the pros competed on both the Magnolia and the Palm courses on Thursday and Friday, but after the cut on the weekends, only the Magnolia was used. The Lake BuenaVista course was also used for the WDW Classic on 17 occasions. The tournament’s rich history is chronicled at the Champions Pavilion beside the first tee of the Magnolia, which was also used for the Senior PGA Championship. Several more familiar names won that event, as well. Charlie Sifford, Pete Cooper, Julius Boros, Joe Jimenez and Jack Fleck won the Champions Tour event on the Magnolia course. The Lake Buena Vista course was the site for the LPGA’s HealthSouth Classic in 1996 and 1997. It was the first LPGA event to be broadcast live on The Golf Channel, with Karrie Webb and Michelle McGann grabbing the trophies. Palmer’s connection to the Disney Resort continued as his design company renovated the Palm Course, in 2013, which earned “Renovation of the Year” honors. Today Arnold Palmer Golf Management operates the Disney courses under a 20-year agreement signed in 2011. The Disney courses allow families to take a respite from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. They can enjoy championship golf on the same courses where the pros have won and never leave the Walt Disney World Resort. Ohio Golf Journal
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