Clermont is preparing to welcome hundreds of elite disc golfers and the familiar ching of chains to Lake Hiawatha Preserve.
The Clermont City Council has officially approved Lake County Disc Golf Club’s (LCDGC) request to install a temporary 18-hole disc golf course at the Preserve in preparation for the 2026 PDGA United States Masters Championships, scheduled for May 7–10, 2026.
The national major tournament is expected to draw more than 500 players and their families to Lake County from across the country. Organizers anticipate an additional 200 or more spectators from the greater Orlando area, making it one of the largest disc golf events ever hosted locally.
The Lake County Disc Golf Club is partnering with Discover Lake and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to bring the championship to the area.
Course preparation at Lake Hiawatha Preserve will begin February 16–27, focusing on mowing undergrowth and trimming fairways to ensure safe and playable conditions. Most of the work will take place in the southern wooded portion of the preserve, including holes 5, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
The Lake County Disc Golf Club will handle all requested maintenance, potentially mowing every two weeks to meet professional tournament standards. All maintenance activities must receive authorization from Public Works before work begins.
Lake Hiawatha property is a preserve –a protected area for wildlife and natural resources (a nature preserve). The 220-acre park, formerly known as Inland Groves, was purchased by the city in 2006 and opened in 2013 as Lake Hiawatha Preserve in Clermont. It features amenities such as hiking/biking trails, a fishing pier, a playground, and a disc golf course.
Members of the Clermont City Council and staff may not be fully aware of how decisions related to the park’s use should be prioritized by conservation, environmental protection, and limited-impact activities. Rosie Mulholland, a resident and retired Wild Life Biologist, stated to Council, “Wild life value at the Lake Hiawatha Preserve is declining”.
City officials emphasized that no living trees will be removed to accommodate the course. The layout has been carefully designed to avoid crossing existing walking paths, ensuring the safety of park patrons. Lake Hiawatha Preserve will remain open to the public throughout the tournament.
Council approval includes only temporary and fully removable course elements, including:
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Metal disc golf baskets mounted on poles that slide into sleeves set in concrete contained within removable five-gallon buckets
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Temporary artificial turf tee pads measuring approximately 5 feet by 10 feet
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White “out of bounds” stakes placed along water edges to clearly define fairways during tournament play
All baskets, tee pads, stakes, and accumulated brush must be removed no later than June 1, 2026, returning the preserve to its natural state.
To accommodate the influx of players and spectators, the Council also approved the use of the gated vacant lot along County Road 565A for overflow parking during practice rounds and tournament play.
With Council approval secured, the Lake County Disc Golf Club is moving forward with hosting one of the sport’s most prestigious national events. The championship is expected to generate significant economic impact as players, families, and fans dine, shop, and stay throughout Lake County.
City leaders expressed confidence that the temporary nature of the course and close coordination with Public Works will protect the preserve while welcoming a high-profile sporting event to the community.
For Clermont, the 2026 Masters Championship isn’t just about birdies and pars—it’s about showcasing Lake County’s natural beauty.
