The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) has named Walt Disney World Golf, operated by Arnold Palmer Golf Management (APGM), as the 2026 Resort Course of the Year.
Featuring three iconic championship courses and a nine-hole walking layout, Walt Disney World Golf will receive this award on Monday, January 19th, at the NGCOA Golf Business Conference 2026 in Orlando.
“Walt Disney World Golf represents the pinnacle of resort-level golf experiences, establishing a benchmark for service, design, and industry leadership,” says Cathy Harbin, President of the NGCOA Board of Directors. “The APGM team members at Walt Disney World Resort are passionate about our industry, providing first-class experiences and inspiring others. It is a privilege to recognize their dedication to golf and shine a spotlight on their achievements.”
Walt Disney World Golf, long known as “The Happiest Place on Turf,” was selected because of the outstanding experience it provides golfers across all aspects of its golf course operations, while also making a meaningful contribution to the growth and vitality of the game.
“This prestigious award, naming Walt Disney World® Golf as Resort Course of the Year, affirms the cohesiveness that exists when the Walt Disney World Resort entrusts a management team dedicated to operational excellence,” said Doug Howe, Chief Operating Officer of Century Golf Partners, which owns and operates Arnold Palmer Golf Management (APGM). “The success of APGM is rooted in our commitment to quality, consistency, and integrity in all we do. This ensures that every operational detail, from agronomy to our guest experience, meets the highest standards, and we are incredibly honored by this recognition from the NGCOA.”
APGM manages 63 holes of outstanding golf at Walt Disney World Resort. The championship 18-hole courses include Disney’s Palm, Magnolia, and Lake Buena Vista, while Disney’s Oak Trail is a 9-hole course that also hosts Footgolf play four afternoons per week.
“Our world-class courses have hosted some of the biggest names in professional golf, and our amenities and team members ensure that our guests fully enjoy their experience, from bag drop to their final putt, every day of the year,” said Bruce Gerlander, General Manager of Walt Disney World Golf operated by APGM. “Beyond our dedication to providing Palmer-like hospitality combined with renowned Disney guest service, we value our active NGCOA membership, which helps us strengthen operations while being part of a genuine community. The association allows us the opportunity to share best practices, and this award is an inspiring tribute.”
What’s New at Walt Disney World Golf?
Arnold Palmer Golf Management just completed a massive project to overseed all four courses, including Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course walking layout, as part of its commitment to enhance quality and the overall experience year-round.
They also recently introduced a new premium golf cart fleet from Advanced EV, now available on all three 18-hole courses: Disney’s Palm, Magnolia, and Lake Buena Vista Golf Courses. These sleek new golf carts feature fob-based operation instead of keys, high-resolution LED multifunction displays that show cart speed and battery levels, upgraded alloy wheels, a USB-compatible power supply for charging mobile devices, and Bluetooth-enabled speakers with multimedia connectivity to your devices.
Photo: Nile Young
“Mark my words… there’s trouble a-brewin’!” says Grumpy.
Disney’s Magnolia course recently underwent its most extensive redesign, featuring new teeing grounds, redesigned greenside and fairway bunkers, and freshly contoured Bermuda grass greens. In addition to the famous Mickey Mouse-inspired bunker located on No. 6, each hole now proudly displays a new Disney-themed name inspired by a classic Disney film, along with an inspiring quote from either Walt Disney or Arnold Palmer. One of the most notable enhancements is the redesign of four holes along the back nine. Similar to other renowned courses across the country, Magnolia’s holes Nos. 14, 15, 16, and 17 – collectively known as “Grumpy’s Gauntlet” — offer a challenging yet whimsical test of a golfer’s skills as they near the end of their round.
Walt Disney World Golf also offers guests “The Greatest Green Ever Played,” a complimentary 18-hole putting course experience. It honors the famous U.S. Open win of amateur Francis Ouimet in 1913, as depicted by Walt Disney Pictures in the award-winning movie The Greatest Game Ever Played.
Featured photo courtsey of Russell Kirk
