Course of the Week: Disney’s Magnolia Course receives extensive redesign

Photo: Walt Disney World Golf

Walt Disney World’s Magnolia Course, operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management, is undergoing the most extensive redesign in its 50-year history.

The redesign, led by One Club Limited and its head golf course architect, Ken Baker, involves reconfiguring much of Magnolia’s closing stretch — holes 14 through 17. Additionally, all 18 greens are being upgraded to create a better putting experience.

Photo: Walt Disney World Golf

“We’ve assembled an incredible team that is devoted to creating the best possible experience for our guests from around the globe who travel here for a championship-caliber golf vacation,” Bruce Gerlander, general manager of Arnold Palmer Golf Management, said. “For more than four decades, Disney’s Magnolia served as a favorite stop on the PGA TOUR and we have been methodically planning for this massive project for years.”

The following holes will undergo a redesign:

• Hole 14, currently a par 5, will become a par 4 with a new green location
• Hole 15, currently a par 3, will shift location and become a long par 5 with a dogleg to the right
• Hole 16 will shift location and remain a par 4 but will now have a dogleg to the left
• Hole 17, currently a par 4, will become a par 3, with new tee box locations

Several fairway and greenside bunkers are being enhanced while multiple new tee boxes are being added.

Gary Woodland (Photo: Russell Kirk)

Gary Woodland and Sergio Garcia, who have each won major championship titles, recently got a sneak peek at the redesign of the course and they both walked away impressed.

“It will be amazing,” said Woodland, who sealed his first major victory at the 2019 U.S. Open. “The 15th (becoming) a big par 5; 16 is a long par 4 and they’ve brought in water perfectly. You’re going to have four closing holes down the stretch that will test every aspect of your game. It’ll be a great finish here at Magnolia.”

Spaniard Garcia, the winner of the 2017 Masters Tournament, added: “It’s a fun course to play. When (golfers) finish their rounds, they can’t wait to come back and I think that’s a great thing the Magnolia course will have.”

Sergio Garcia (Photo: Russell Kirk)

Located across from Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the Magnolia Golf Course, designed by Joe Lee, is aptly named for its more than 1,500 magnolia trees. With tee boxes ranging from 5,127 to 7,516 yards from the tips, it is the longest of the four Disney golf courses.

“These are going to be dramatic changes to the Magnolia course that will create a playing experience that will be challenging yet fun for all golfers,” Faron Kelley, vice president of Disney Sports, said. “We know our guests expect a magical experience every time they come to play golf at Walt Disney World, and this redesign is part of our ongoing commitment to achieve that for every golfer who steps up to that first tee.”