LPGA opens next month in Orlando

Long drought to end as Lake Buena Vista will host first event locally since 2011

Florida is home to the LPGA’s headquarters in Daytona Beach and to many of the top players on the women’s professional tour.

Tournaments, on the other hand, have come and gone during the past 10 years, at times leaving the Sunshine State altogether.

Next month’s Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions will help reverse the trend and serve as the official start to the 2019 season in one of the nation’s top destinations for golf.

“It’s so awesome, obviously being a Florida girl,” said St. Petersburg native Brittany Lincicome, who resides in Gulfport. “It’s less than a two-hour drive for me. Anytime you can have an event in your home state it’s awesome.

“My friends and family will get to come up and watch me.”

Winners from 2017 and 2018 will compete for a $1.2 million purse during the four-day no-cut tournament while grouped with celebrities and former star athletes. The event will be held Jan. 17-20 at Tranquilo Golf Course at Four Seasons Orlando in Lake Buena Vista.

Orlando last held an official LPGA event in 2011 when the season-ending CME Group Titleholders was played at Grand Cypress Golf Club.

Just two years earlier, the LPGA did not have a single event in Florida after hosting three in 2008. Former commissioner Carolyn Bevins failed and her controversial four-year tenure suddenly ended in 2009, paving the way for the hiring of Michael Whan.

Scheduling has been a major priority under Whan, who has expanded the LPGA’s reach globally while recognizing the importance of U.S.-based events.

But until now, Florida had hosted two events in the

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same year just twice during Whan’s tenure. In 2015-16 the LPGA staged the nowdefunct COATES Golf Championship in Ocala and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in Naples.

Whan is excited to have the Diamonds Resorts Invitational bring the LPGA back to Orlando and close to the tour’s home offices. He expects his staff of around 130 employees to make the 70-mile trek to watch the tournament.

Orlando-based Golf Channel will televise the event.

“It’s a hometown event here in Orlando, or Central Florida, kind of really a home of golf,” Whan said. “This is one that everyone will be a part of. My entire staff will be here, whether to volunteer and watch.

“That’s important for every company to see what you do up close and personal.”

World No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn and season-ending winner Lexi Thompson are two of the event’s headliners.

LPGA professionals will compete in stroke play while celebrities will compete using the Modified Stableford format for a $500,000 purse.

Threesomes may include a combination of LPGA professionals and sports and entertainment celebrities, and some with all LPGA players or all celebrities.

Hall of Famers from various sports will include Ray Allen (NBA), Brian Urlacher and Jerry Rice (NFL), and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez and John Smoltz (MLB). Seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, former NHL star Jeremy Roenick, country music singer Colt Ford and actor Jack Wagner also are expected to compete. DIAMOND RESORTS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

For the full list of qualified players, visit: