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The 2007 Funai Classic at Walt Disney World Resort will
mark the 37th year of the PGA Tour event in Orland. The
tournament was founded in 1971 as the Walt Disney World Open
Invitational. From 1974 to 1981, the tournament was played
as a two-man team event with a better-ball format. The Classic
will be played on two of Disney's finest courses, The
Magnolia Course and The
Palm Course.
Beginning with a three-peat by Jack Nicklaus in 1971, 1972,
and 1973, this PGA event continues to bring the best players
in the world to Disney, including past champions Tiger Woods,
Vijay Singh and Mark O'Meara.
The Funai Classic is part of the PGA Tour's Fall Series
as of 2007. The tournament is one of the player's favorites
because of the location in Orlando, Florida. This is one stop
on the PGA Tour where you will see many of the player's families,
most of which will be enjoying the parks in Disney.
Disney's Palm course, which may be the toughest of the original
Disney courses, is rated by Golf Digest as one of the "Top
100" Resort Courses in the country. It plays 6,957 from
the back tees and is loaded with plenty of challenges. It
boasts nine water holes, tight and heavily wooded fairways,
and an abundance of natural Florida wildlife.
The Magnolia Course at Walt Disney World is known as more
"tour"-style then its sister Palm Course. The Magnolia
has grown to 7,516 yards to battle the usual low scores during
the tournament's history.
Purse: $4,600,000
Winning Share: $828,000
Palm Course Yards: 6,957 / Magnolia Course Yards: 7,516
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Hole #1
A glance down the first fairway lets you know you're playing
the Palm Course. This moderate length par 5 is challenging.
Keep tee shot right of sand bunkers and palms on left.
Second shot must avoid cluster of bunkers on right. Green
is well protected, so play smart early. |
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Hole #2
One of many holes justifying the national ranking of the
Palm Course. Tee shot must negotiate water and woods.
Approach shot to an elevated green with no mercy. Any
shot short and right will find a deep sand bunker. Beware
of the "slippery slope" left of the green...it's
not forgiving. |
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Hole #3
The shortest par 3 on the Palm Course, tee shot is an
elevated tee to a large green, protected by water right.
Avoid any of the three sand bunkers and you'll enjoy!
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Hole #4
Play the regular tee for a "laid back" par 4
or tackle the "beast" from the Pro tee. This
hole offers you a choice. Regardless of tee selection,
you must avoid the Florida woodlands down the entire right
side. Approach shot is to a well bunkered green that features
a subtle ridge on right half portion.
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Hole #5
This slight dogleg left par 4 runs parallel to the main
exit hole of the Magic Kingdom. "What you see is
what you get!" Keep tee shot out of trouble right.
Approach shot is to elevated green with plenty of run-up
room in front. |
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Hole #6
No. 1 handicap hole, and it holds up to its rating. Begins
with the most demanding tee shot on the course. If you're
lucky to keep it "high and dry," you're faced
with a long carry shot over water to a two-tiered green.
Playing for score, play it like a par 5. You'll be glad
you did. |
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Hole #7
A sweeping dogleg right, with two deep fairway sand
bunkers looming right. Second shot must negotiate a
long and short sand bunker right. Green is well protected
with four other sand bunkers. It all adds up to eight
sand bunkers that test you all along the way.
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Hole #8
The longest par 3 on the Palm Course, carved out of dense
Florida woodlands. Demands a tee shot that can carry a
large sand bunker protecting the entire front portion
of the green. |
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Hole #9
This moderate length par 4 has it all. With water staring
you down left and two sand bunkers with wetlands right,
it truly exemplifies the character of the Palm Course.
The approach shot is to a raised green. |
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Hole #10
The back nine begins and ends with two unbearable holes.
Best way to tame this hole is to center tee shot between
woodlands left and fairway sand bunker right. Leaves a
long approach shot to a smaller than average green. Any
mis-hit shot right spells trouble. |
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Hole #11
A basic par 5 that rewards accuracy. Both sand bunkers
left come into play off tee, as do the pair of sand bunkers
on the right for the second shot. The approach shot is
to a forgiving green, if played to the middle.
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Hole #12
This challenging par 3 requires just that. Five, yes five,
greenside bunkers surround this tricky green. Give yourself
plenty of club, it's all carry! |
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Hole #13
Don't let the short length fool you, this sharp dogleg
will "getcha" if you leave it right. The heavily
planted pines create jail for those who dare. Play it
smart to the left for best results. Approach shot is to
a wide, but not too deep green. |
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Hole #14
Florida's most famous creature often roams these waters.
If he had an appetite for golf balls, he'd be one fat
gator. Beware of tee box that aims right. Second shot
must be placed delicately between water and two fairway
sand bunkers, approach shot must clear three front greenside
sand bunkers. |
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Hole #15
This hole plays into the prevailing wind to add even more
yardage to this demanding par 4. Plenty of room off the
tee to let it fly. The approach shot is to a mammoth green
that allows forgiveness to the right. |
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Hole #16
One of the most picturesque holes on the Palm Course.
The elevated tee provides one of the few holes on the
course where you hit down to the green. Club selection
is critical to this long narrow green. |
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Hole #17
As you turn the corner from No. 16 and face this dogleg
right par 4, you are once again reminded of where you
are. The cluster of palms can provide havoc, if you don't
play the way Mr. Lee wanted you to. Approach shot must
avoid the large front right sand bunker. |
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Hole #18
Ranked as high as fourth overall on the PGA TOUR's toughest
hole list, it requires two rock solid shots. Fairway is
lined both sides with woodlands. Approach shot is all
carry to a well-bunkered green. Making par here calls
for celebration! |
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Florida Golf's City of the Month
