It can be hard to imagine the words “golf” and “party” being related in any way.
But the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions proves otherwise. As the LPGA’s unique season opener, the Tournament of Champions combines LPGA champions and world-class sports and entertainment celebrities in one week of incredible golf. The tournament will kick off Jan. 16-19, 2020 at the Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando, and players and fans alike can hardly wait.
In the latest Moments with Diamond segment, Diamond Resorts CEO Mike Flaskey sits down with LPGA champion Brittany Lincicome and MLB Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz to discuss memories from the inaugural event in 2019 and preparations for the upcoming 2020 Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.
Lincicome, also known as “Bam Bam” because of her incredible long drives, is itching to get back on the course after taking maternity leave to have her first daughter last summer. She may have been out since May, but she’s excited to make her official return at the Tournament of Champions.
Smoltz is coming back to defend his 2019 title in the celebrity field – letting everyone know that he enjoys being named the “defending champion,” and he hopes to become the two-time defending champion soon.
Flaskey recalls the second round of the 2019 tournament when Smoltz hit seven birdies and one eagle, which Smoltz called a “special day” during last year’s event. The great score he posted after round two ultimately put him in a big enough lead to walk away with the title.
Smoltz loves this event so much that he blocks out his calendar each year to make sure he doesn’t miss it – which may be a little intimidating for the rest of the celebrity players. This baseball legend won’t be holding anything back in January.
With 35 LPGA champions qualified to play and 50 celebrity spots, the players compete for a combined $1.7 million purse. Playing the game is fun and all, but Smoltz and Lincicome are each aiming for a win in their field.
Watch the videos to hear how they’re getting ready.
