LPGA Opens 2022 Tour Season in Lake Nona
LPGA tournament highlights Lake Nona Golf & Country Club’s championship course
February 17, 2022
In late January, the LPGA kicked off the 2022 Tour season in style with a week of tournament festivities at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club where it hosted the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
This legendary competition brought 29 LPGA Tour champions together to play alongside 50 beloved celebrities, athletes, and entertainers on Lake Nona’s championship golf course. The dynamic duos hit the world-class course for four days as members and fans braved Florida’s “winter weather” to witness the first win of the season, making it the most attended LPGA Tour season opener in recent years.
The global competition was hot as golfers dueled from the course’s wooded front nine to its breathtaking lake views along the back nine. Danielle Kang landed on top, claiming her sixth career title. And in an exciting celebrity playoff, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club resident and fan-favorite Annika Sorenstam went stroke-to-stroke with 2004 World Series Champion Derek Lowe who won the celebrity title.
“We love this place,” said Sorenstam during the tournament. “It’s great to be here. The course is looking fabulous, and having my husband on the bag, the kids around the corner, my parents, friends and family around. I think as a Lake Nona Member, we’re super proud of this place.”
Sorenstam was one of seven Lake Nona Golf & Country Club members to compete along with ten from its sister club at Isleworth Golf & Country Club, but she wasn’t the only Lake Nona member at the top of the leaderboard. Lake Nona Golf & Country Club’s own member Greg Soufleris ran away with the amateur net title with an 18-point victory while finishing second in the gross division.
Equally noteworthy, was 15-year-old, 2022 ANNIKA USA Junior Champion Yana Wilson, who earned her spot in the field and captured the gross amateur division title. During the tournament, a silent auction raised over $80,000 for the ANNIKA Foundation to help expand opportunities for female golfers at every level.
The excitement continued off the course with three nights of exclusive concerts on an open stage under the stars in the Lake Nona Town Center. Performances included GRAMMY Award-winning artists Sheryl Crow, LeAnn Rimes, Sara Evans, Boyz II Men, Gin Blossoms and Goo Goo Dolls.
The Tournament of Champions is slated to return to Lake Nona’s world-renowned Tom Fazio-designed course in 2023 and 2024, continuing its legacy as a championship destination. Lake Nona Golf & Country Club’s reputation spans more than 35 years, hosting competitions including the Solheim Cup (1990), the World Cup of Golf (1993), the Tavistock Cup (2004, 2007, 2009, 2012), U.S. Open qualifiers (1993, 2003, 2004, 2009), the Gainbridge LPGA (2021) and numerous amateur tournaments.
Lake Nona’s rich golfing history continues to inspire and develop a new generation of emerging talent. The Club’s environment of excellence has propelled its touring professional members (both women and men) to 44 major championship victories worldwide.
Golfers at every level continue to play the course and train at its fully equipped performance center, The Workshop at Lake Nona. Visit www.lakenona.club to learn more about Lake Nona Golf & Country Club and click here to learn more about Lake Nona’s epic sports scene loved by residents and visitors alike.