Century Golf Partners and Arnold Palmer Golf Management (APGM) are proud to share that the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) has named Walt Disney World® Golf as its 2026 Resort Golf Course of the Year. This distinguished honor recognizes excellence in course quality, customer experience, and industry leadership across the nation.
The NGCOA is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management, representing thousands of courses throughout the United States. Each year, the organization celebrates facilities that set the standard for innovation and operational achievement.
“Walt Disney World® Golf represents the pinnacle of resort-level golf experiences, establishing a benchmark for service, design, and industry leadership,” said 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, featuring three championship courses and a nine-hole walking layout, will be formally recognized during the 2026 Golf Business Conference, held January 19–21 in Orlando.
The Club features 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.
Disney’s Magnolia course recently completed its most extensive reimagining, featuring new teeing grounds, redesigned greenside and fairway bunkers, and newly contoured Bermudagrass greens. In addition to the famous Mickey Mouse-inspired bunker located on No. 6, each of the 18 holes now showcases a new Disney-themed name inspired by a classic Disney film, accompanied by an inspiring quote from either Walt Disney or Arnold Palmer. One of the most significant enhancements includes the reimagining of four holes along the back nine. Similar to other notable courses across the United States, Magnolia’s hole Nos. 14, 15, 16, and 17 – collectively known as “Grumpy’s Gauntlet” — provide a challenging yet whimsical test of a golfer’s skills as they approach the end of their round.
Doug Howe, Chief Operating Officer of Century Golf Partners, emphasized how closely aligned leadership and operations contribute to this success.
“This prestigious award, naming Walt Disney World® Golf as NGCOA Resort Course of the Year, affirms the cohesiveness that exists when the Walt Disney World® Resort entrusts a management team dedicated to operational excellence,” says Doug Howe, Chief Operating Officer of Century Golf Partners, which owns and operates Arnold Palmer Golf Management. “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.”
ABOUT THE NATIONAL GOLF COURSE OWNERS ASSOCIATION
The NGCOA is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The association represents and promotes the interests of golf courses at the principal businesses and economic assets of the game of golf. The not-for-profit organization is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course owners and operators. Through advocacy, education and information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses.