ORLANDO, Fla. — Whereas strolling round Lake Nona Golf and Nation Membership, you may not assist however discover an abundance of smiles from gamers, celebrities, followers, and attendees alike.
Not solely did the Hilton Grand Holidays Match of Champions mark the start of the 2025 LPGA season — a motive to smile in and of itself — nevertheless it additionally holds a particular place in everybody’s coronary heart. Unsurprisingly, all concerned circle this match on their calendars each January.
“I haven’t missed one among these,” stated NFL Corridor of Famer Brian Urlacher to SB Nation.
“I don’t miss this occasion,” added Atlanta Braves legend John Smoltz.
What makes it so distinctive is how among the greatest names in sports activities, music, and leisure descend upon Central Florida to play in a aggressive golf match alongside one of the best feminine gamers on this planet. It’s not a hit-and-giggle both. The movie star match contains a $500,000 purse, with the winner taking residence $100,000. Former NHL star Joe Pavelski gained this yr’s occasion in his debut.
“It’s competitors golf,” Urlacher added. “All of us assume we’re good at golf, after which we wish to put stress on ourselves for some motive, however this competitors is enjoyable.”
When skilled athletes retire, many head straight to the golf course to play. They’re aggressive people, which helps clarify why that they had a lot success of their respective fields. Merely put, they’re constructed in another way. Smoltz at the moment has a plus one-eight index and virtually certified for the PGA Tour Champions. Urlacher, in the meantime, carries a 2.9 handicap, proof that many of those celebrities not solely play however play properly.
However right here is why this match has turn out to be so profitable: after it concludes, every movie star returns to their respective locales and boasts in regards to the match, the leisure, and every little thing else this occasion has to supply. They inform their movie star pals, engaging others to play and benefit from the enjoyable. Actor Don Cheadle, former NBA All-Star Blake Griffin, and U.S. Girls’s Soccer hero Brandi Chastain all made their debuts this yr, and every of them has pals who performed on this occasion beforehand.
Along with golf, Hilton Grand Holidays sponsors a live performance collection for gamers, their entourages, and hospitality members. Relying on availability, Hilton Grand Holidays factors members also can attend. This yr’s exhibits included Chicago and Three Doorways Down, and Luke Bryan capped it off on Saturday night time earlier than Sunday’s closing spherical.
“That is my favourite match due to the individuals; primary, the ladies golfers are superb, after which the leisure. The concert events are badass, dude,” Urlacher added.
“It doesn’t get higher than this, proper?”
Thirty-two LPGA gamers teed it up on this yr’s subject, and solely those that have gained an LPGA occasion over the previous two years qualify. Which means solely the elite of the elite play on this match, and because it airs on community tv yearly, the LPGA emerges as the massive winner.
“Essentially the most outstanding half about that is we’re celebrating the feminine golfer, and these ladies are unbelievable,” Chastain added.
“I’m in awe once they swing and hit the ball. It’s simply outstanding. So for me, to be right here to help them, to say ‘I see you.’ They know that their inspiration is basically essential.”
Roughly 6,000 followers attended every day, cheering on their favourite LPGA stars and celebrities. World No. 1 Nelly Korda had the most important galleries each day, and rightfully so. She simply gained seven occasions in 2024 and has emerged because the face of the game. Korda virtually got here from behind and stole the title away from A Lim Kim, too, however the 29-year-old South Korean made two clutch birdies on the sixteenth and 18th holes to shut out her wire-to-wire win in grand type.
“One of many coolest facets of this week is seeing the viewers that’s out right here, and the spectators out listed here are increasing, extra so than what you’d see at a typical LPGA occasion,” stated match director Aaron Stewart, the son of the late, nice Payne Stewart who gained the U.S. Open twice and the PGA Championship as soon as.
“Clearly, there are going to be the diehard followers which are following the tour and are going to be right here, but additionally having the celebrities helps carry out a brand new group of folks that possibly don’t even actually play golf or like golf essentially, however their favourite basketball participant or actors, or Corridor of Famers from all walks of life are right here, in order that they’re .”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.