ORLANDO, Fla. – The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions has LPGA pros playing alongside celebrities, competing for cash prizes.
It’s a unique family-friendly tournament with some exciting private concerts during the four-day event.
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“Last year they had the rough super thick, making it challenging for the players out here. That’s one thing they can anticipate again this year, so the greens will be quick and who knows, we might see some low scores out there,” Hilton Grand Vacations VP of Sports Marketing Aaron Stewart said.
The HGV Tournament of Champions is played at the Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando.
“The beautiful Tom Fazio design. The front nine kind of winds through pine forests and oak groves, and then the back nine is highlighted by some beautiful lakefront views,” Stewart said.
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Dozens of LPGA pros will take the field with about 50 sports and entertainment celebrities, including former magic players Vince Carter and Courtney Lee. Stewart said the celebs also have to qualify for the tournament.
“We do have a handicap requirement for our celebrities, but outside of that it’s really just to celebrate the accomplishments of the LPGA professionals first, what they’ve done to qualify to be here,” Stewart said.
The pros will be competing for a $1.5 million purse, with the celebrities also teeing off against each other for a $500,000 purse.
The tournament lasts four days with a no-cut format, so golfers will hit the green each day.
But it’s not just the golfing bringing crowds to the tournament.
“This year we’re really excited for our private concert series, we’re featuring an all-female lineup. We’ve got timeless R&B icons En Vogue kicking it off. We’ve got country pop star Maren Morris and then on Saturday night we’ll have pop superstar Ellie Goulding,” Stewart said. “After that the party continues with Paris Hilton DJing.”
The tournament runs Jan. 19-22.
Unlike other golf tournaments that’s usually quiet, this one has music playing along the course.
The tournament also gives back, pledging $100,000 to the Annika Foundation to support women Junior golfers.
Hilton Grand Vacations also has a partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida inviting members to the course for a behind-the-scenes tour and career day to expose the kids and teens to different employment opportunities.
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