Nicknamed the LPGA’s “party on tour,” the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions is an event that brings together stellar LPGA players and renowned celebrities for an overall unforgettable experience. This year’s tournament will be at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando from January 20 – 23. So head to Central Florida’s Lake Nona to watch some fantastic golf and participate in one of the most exciting events on Tour!
A New Member of the LPGA Family
On September 22, 2021, the timeshare company Hilton Grand Vacations announced a multi-year partnership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). This partnership reflects HGV’s recent acquisition of Diamond Resorts timeshares into the company and signifies a forward push for the Tournament of Champions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hilton Grand Vacations to the LPGA family as our partner at the Tournament of Champions. This is one of the most exciting events on Tour, clearly earning its ‘Party on Tour’ nickname,” said Mollie Marcoux Samaan, LPGA Commissioner.
Playing a Part in the 2022 LPGA Purse Increases
“We are incredibly honored to partner with the LPGA. This will be a record-setting season, and we couldn’t be more excited to kick off the action and announce a purse increase,” said Aaron Stewart, Executive Director of the Tournament. “The Tournament of Champions has quickly become one of the LPGA Tour’s most-watched tournaments of the season, and we are proud to bring more fans to the sport and support the LPGA’s phenomenal athletes.”
It’s World-Class Golf Plus Concerts and Other Entertainment
The Tournament of Champions became well known in 2019 at the Four Seasons Golf & Sports Club Orlando and was open to winners of LPGA Tour events within the past two years. Similar to the three events before it, the 2022 Tournament of Champions will include a pro-am and celebrity tournament. Each LPGA pro pairs up with two celebrities or amateurs, and the top amateurs qualify to play in the main tournament.
Originally called the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, the event changed its name to the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions when Hilton Grand Vacations acquired Diamond Resorts and tournament director Aaron Stewart. The tournament location also moved to the renowned Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida. In past years the 18th hole at Four Seasons failed to produce a winner and required seven replays until a victor emerged.
Fan Opportunities & Private Concerts
Though the venue and sponsors of the event are both new, the Tournament of Champions aims to maintain its status as one of the most fan-friendly events on Tour. In addition, the Tournament of Champions is legendary for unique fan engagement opportunities and world-class experiences that extend beyond the course.
Nightly Concerts
This year, the tournament will host three nights of private concerts with major headliners, including:
- Sheryl Crow
- Boyz II Men
- The Goo Goo Dolls
- LeAnn Rimes
- Sara Evans
- Gin Blossoms
Outdoor Events in the Lake Nona Community
The concerts will be hosted under the stars on an open-air stage in the heart of the Lake Nona community at its Town Center and will align with all local, state, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
Popular Australian DJ Brooke Evers will be heading up the 18th-hole festivities during the competition, and there will be themed international food and drink stations to enjoy. In addition, celebrity participants, LPGA Tour professionals, and visiting guests will be hosted at Hilton Grand Vacations’ Orlando condo resorts continuing the luxury experience away from the course.
A Stellar Field of Players
Truly a one-of-a-kind event, the tournament’s unique format brings LPGA Tour winners together with over 50 beloved celebrities, athletes, and entertainers to play side-by-side. Past celebrity participants include superstars from entertainment and major sports, including Jerry Rice, Brian Urlacher, Marcus Allen, Justin Verlander, Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Lee Brice, Ben Higgins, Alfonso Ribeiro, and more.
Get Up Close & Personal with Notables Names
Fans can expect to see many familiar faces competing and attending the event. Hall of Famer Annika Sörenstam, a longtime Lake Nona resident, will be competing again after making her first LPGA tour start since 2008 at last year’s tournament. Some other notable names in the field are:
- Brooke Henderson
- Stacy Lewis
- Jessica Korda
- Lydia Ko
- Michelle Wie West
- Gaby Lopez
- Inbee Park
- Austin Ernst
A Top Tier Course to Field the Competition
Though the Tournament of Champions is famous for being one of the most fun events on Tour, rest assured that the actual golf is no joke. For starters, Lake Nona is one of the best golf courses in the world. Designed by premier golf architect Tom Fazio, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club consistently ranks as one of the top golf courses in the country.
A Challenging and Beautiful Course
Lake Nona Golf & Country Club is a course that requires total concentration and is known for several hallmarks, including its effective use of water and its smooth, fast greens. The uphill and downhill lines of the course are not easily visible, adding another challenge for tournament players. Furthermore, players must also navigate a variety of grass and sand bunkers that vary in depth, shape, and size, requiring them to use every golf club in their bag. Many holes include trees within the bunkers.
A New Tournament Home
“We’re thrilled to grow this world-class event and are confident the Tournament of Champions will continue to reach new heights at its extraordinary new home, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club,” said Mark Wang, president, and CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations. “As one of the LPGA Tour’s premier events of the year, we are committed to delivering the unique and action-packed golf tournament that is widely recognized by golfers and fans alike.”
Tickets are Still Available
Head down to Orlando from January 20 to January 23 to watch as world-class LPGA players compete alongside well-known celebrities for an unforgettable experience both on and off the golf course. A limited number of tickets to the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions are still on sale for the general public but might not be for long. Tickets are affordably priced at $30 for one-day admission, with 4-day passes priced at $80.
If you don’t feel comfortable traveling right now, check it out on national TV. Thursday and Friday play with air on Golf Channel, and Saturday and Sunday on Golf Channel and NBC.
This post originally appeared on Planner at Heart.
