Disc Golf In Clermont Archives | South Lake Tablet

Clermont City Council Approves 18-Hole Disc Golf Course at Lake Hiawatha Preserve For 2026 Masters Championship

Michelle Delaney — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:17:20 +0000

Michelle Delaney, South Lake Tablet

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:

Metal disc golf baskets mounted on poles that slide into sleeves set in concrete contained within removable five-gallon buckets
Temporary artificial turf tee pads measuring approximately 5 feet by 10 feet
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.

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Lake County To Host Tim Selinske United States Masters Disc Golf Championships in 2026

Michelle Delaney — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 22:04:23 +0000

Submitted by Jeff Foley, Lake County

For the first time in its history, the Professional Disc Golf Association is bringing the Tim Selinske United States Masters Disc Golf Championships to Lake County, Florida. More than 400 athletes from across the nation will compete in a thrilling four-day tournament.

Set to take place across five premier disc golf courses – Lincoln Park and Nature Park in Mount Dora, The Lakehawk in Leesburg, The Green Gauntlet in Eustis, and Champions Pointe in Clermont – the event promises to bring world-class competition and skill as Lake County makes its grand debut on the national disc golf stage.

Hosting this event is made possible through key partnerships with the Lake County Disc Golf Club and Discover Lake County Florida, reinforcing the region’s commitment to supporting elite sporting events.

“The Lake County Disc Golf Club is incredibly excited and honored to host such a prestigious event and have a true opportunity to showcase our courses,” said Matt Knight, President of the Lake County Disc Golf Club. “Lake County has some of the best courses in the world. Designed by PDGA Hall of Famer, Gregg Hosfeld, our courses will shine in the Tim Selinske US Masters. My wife, Samantha, and I have been working hard over the last five years to build the profile and quality of our tournaments, and we are beyond thrilled to put all we have learned into running this major and making it one that players from all over the country will go home talking about.”

“The arrival of the Tim Selinske United States Masters Disc Golf Championships marks a significant achievement for Lake County and reflects our ongoing commitment to attracting premier sporting events to the region,” said Ryan Ritchie, Director of Discover Lake County Florida. “This national championship not only highlights the caliber of our recreational assets but also reinforces the value of strategic partnerships with organizations like the Lake County Disc Golf Club and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. We look forward to welcoming athletes and guests to experience all that Lake County has to offer.”

“We are thrilled to welcome the Tim Selinske United States Masters Disc Golf Championships to Lake County for the first time,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “Hosting this event is a testament to the collaboration between our partners at the Lake County Disc Golf Club and Discover Lake County Florida. With top-tier courses and unmatched hospitality, we’re confident that every participant and guest will have an unforgettable experience both on and off the course.”

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The City of Clermont’s Disc Golf Course Recently Ranked Among The Top 100 In The World

Michelle Delaney — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 03:41:26 +0000

Champions Pointe Disc Golf Course was rated No. 90 by disc golfers on the app UDisc. The company released the 2021 list today on its blog, Release Point. UDisc’s directory includes over 11,000 disc golf courses with over 2 million ratings from disc golfers.

“This recognition is another exciting honor for the Choice of Champions,” Interim City Manager Susan Dauderis said. “We thank everyone who rated our picturesque disc golf course so highly. It’s a unique amenity that we are happy to offer to residents and visitors alike.”

Clermont’s course was the only course in central Florida to make the list, and one of just three courses in the state. (A course in Tallahassee ranked 61 and a course in Jacksonville ranked 95.) Clermont’s course received a grade of 91.17 out of 100 based on 1,018 ratings on UDisc.

“Champions Pointe is one of the longest, most beautiful and well-maintained courses in Florida,” City of Clermont Parks and Recreation Director Scott Davidoff said. “I would encourage everyone from beginners to experts to enjoy this amazing facility.”

The city’s 18-hole course opened in 2016 at 450 N. Lake Minneola Shores, inside Lake Hiawatha Preserve, a 220-acre park with an abundance of oak trees and containing several walking paths around the course’s perimeter.

“I’d give this place more than 5 stars if I could, nicest course I’ve ever played, the scenery was awesome,” disc golfer coleyb wrote Feb. 4 in his 5-star review on UDisc. “The signage and tee boxes were perfect. Some super long par 5’s and even some fun and tight par 3’s on the back. Definitely, be coming back!”

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