The 2007 Funai Classic
/ Palm Course
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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