LAKE COUNTY TO WELCOME TWO NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

ORLANDO, Fla. (October 14, 2020) – The NCAA announced today that Greater Orlando will host 17 championship events from the fall of 2022 through the spring of 2026, two of which will be hosted in the Lake County. Under the streamlined bidding process, 86 of the NCAA’s 90 annual championships (preliminary and finals sites) were up for bid simultaneously over the four-year bid cycle, resulting in the NCAA awarding more than 450 host sites during today’s announcement. More than 3,000 bids were submitted from 46 states and Washington DC, which included 68 bids from Greater Orlando.

The Division III Women’s Golf Championships return to Mission Inn Resort & Club in 2023 and will be co-hosted by Oglethorpe University (GA). Lake County and Mission Inn have proven to be a favorite of Division III Women’s Golf over the years, having previously hosted in 2018, 2015, 2014, 2011, 2010, 2007 and 2006.

Having been previously awarded the 2022 Division III Men’s Golf Championships during the last NCAA bid cycle, Mission Inn Resort & Club and Oglethorpe University now have 2026 to look forward to as well. The 2026 Division III Men’s Golf Championships will mark the fifth time that Lake County and Mission Inn will have hosted the event (2026, 2022, 2017, 2012 and 2005).

“Today’s announcement regarding the NCAA’s selection of Lake County as the home of the 2023 Division III Women’s Golf Championships and the 2026 Division III Men’s Golf Championships further solidifies Lake County and Central Florida as one of the nation’s premiere sports destinations and validates Lake County’s on-going investment into our rapidly growing sports infrastructure,” said Commissioner Leslie Campione, Chairman of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners. “We are greatly appreciative of all of our local and regional partners, including the Greater Orlando Sports Commission, who have and will continue to play a vital role in the growth of Lake County’s sports industry.”

“Lake County is thrilled to be a part of the Greater Central Florida team in hosting the NCAA 2023 Division III Women’s Golf Championships and the 2026 Division III Men’s Golf Championships,” said Rob Price, Director of Visit Lake. “This is fantastic win for our community as we attract another national level sporting event with our partnership with the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.”

“Oglethorpe University is thrilled to be a part of bringing NCAA Division III National Championship Golf back to Lake County, FL,” said Oglethorpe University Director of Golf, Jim Owen. “Lake County has so much to offer the student-athletes, coaches, and fans, and the El Campeon and Las Colinas courses are world-class championship courses. Our University and athletic department are honored to be hosting. It’s a win for all of us involved.”

“We’re elated that Lake County and Mission Inn Resort & Club have been awarded the 2023 Division III Women’s Golf Championships and the 2026 Division III Men’s Golf Championships,” said Bud Beucher, General Manager for Mission Inn Resort & Club. “Mission Inn Resort & Club is the country’s premier destination for golf, and hosting these events further bolsters our community’s reputation as one of the finest sports destinations in the country.”

NCAA championship events attract spectators and families throughout the state of Florida and from across the United States, driving significant impact to hotels, restaurants, and attractions in the Greater Orlando community. Until COVID-19 caused the cancellation of the NCAA’s spring 2020 championships, GO Sports had hosted at least one NCAA national championship or regional championship every year since 1996.

For the complete list of NCAA championship events awarded to the Greater Orlando region, click here.

About Greater Orlando Sports Commission

GO Sports is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County. Founded in 1993, the organization has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,450 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $1.9 billion in spending within the community. For more information, please visit GreaterOrlandoSports.com.