The newly named Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions features LPGA champions, celebrity golfers, and world-class entertainment
ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 22, 2021 – Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (NYSE: HGV), the industry-leading global vacation home company, is pleased to announce a multi-year partnership with the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA.), to bring the Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) Tournament of Champions to the prestigious Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando from January 20-23, 2022.
This year’s tournament, formerly known as the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, reflects the recent acquisition of Diamond Resorts by HGV. The strategic combination combines the strengths of the largest independent timeshare company with the industry-leading brand, culture and world-class resort network of HGV.
The tournament’s distinctive format, nicknamed “Party on Tour” by the LPGA, brings LPGA Tour winners together with over 50 popular celebrities, athletes and entertainers to play side by side for an event that is second to none. Past celebrity attendees include superstars from entertainment and all major sports including Jerry Rice, Brian Urlacher, Marcus Allen, Justin Verlander, Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Lee Brice, Ben Higgins, Alfonso Ribeiro and more. The event has quickly become one of the most watched tournaments of the LPGA Tour of the season and has iconic moments such as the return of Hall of Famer Annika Sörenstam to the LPGA Tour and the surprising commitment of two-time LPGA winner Jasmine Suwannapura last year on the 18th Shown in green.
The Tournament of Champions is legendary for unique fan engagement opportunities and world-class experiences that go beyond the course. HGV will announce new and exciting events this year, including three nights of private open-air concerts, themed international food and drink stations and pampering hospitality experiences. New faces and surprise guests will hit the links this year and the fun will continue every night in the award-winning Lake Nona community with live entertainment, luxury accommodations and unmatched amenities. Past tournaments have featured performances by chart top artists such as Boyz II Men, Lee Brice, Counting Crows, and others.
Lake Nona Golf & Country Club’s golf course, designed by Tom Fazio, is home to numerous professional golfers and world-class athletes. Considered one of the best private golf and country clubs in the world, the quaint, 600-acre club is located in Lake Nona, a 17 square mile community considered one of the fastest growing and most innovative in the country.
“We are very excited to grow this world-class event and are confident that the Tournament of Champions will continue to reach new heights in its extraordinary new home, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club,” said Mark Wang, President and CEO by Hilton Grand Vacations. “As one of the most important events of the year on the LPGA Tour, we aim to create the unique and action-packed golf tournament that is recognized by golfers and fans alike.”
“We are delighted to welcome Hilton Grand Vacations to the LPGA family as our partner in the Tournament of Champions. This is one of the most exciting events on the tour, and it clearly deserves its nickname, Party on Tour, ”said Mollie Marcoux Samaan, LPGA commissioner. “Beautiful Lake Nona is sure to provide the perfect backdrop and I invite fans new and old to see the best golfers in the world alongside some of your favorite stars.”
“We are very excited to be able to welcome the LPGA Tour again for this unique tournament and to start the season in Lake Nona,” said Rasesh Thakkar, Senior Managing Director of the Tavistock Group, owner and developer of Lake Nona. “We are excited to open a new home for the legendary Tournament of Champions and look forward to working with HGV to further improve this unique event in the years to come.”
Only the winners of the LPGA Tour of the last two seasons will compete in the tournament, who will fight for 1.2 million US dollars in official prize money on 72 holes with a stroke without a cut. Celebrities join them on the course and compete for their own purse of $ 500,000 in a modified format. Qualifying Pro-Am players compete in official tournament rounds together with the stars. Florida’s own Jessica Korda won the 2021 professional title for her sixth career win on the LPGA Tour last year. The title win in the Celebrity Division went to former professional tennis player Mardy Fish, the first three-time winner of the event.
The tournament will be held in accordance with all local, state, and CDC guidelines to protect the health of all participants.
Celebrity attendees, LPGA tour professionals, and guest guests are accommodated at HGV’s premier Orlando resorts to continue the off-course luxury experience. The takeover of Diamond Resorts by HGV created the largest timeshare operator in the upper, upper class and luxury class with a total of 154 resorts. The powerful combination of these two experienced operators promises Diamonds a proven track record in hosting an unforgettable tournament and exciting offers with the trusted name of HGV in the high-quality vacation property sector.
The tournament will again be televised live Thursday and Friday on the Golf Channel and Saturday and Sunday on NBC. For more information and updates, visit: HGVLPGA.com.