The Arnold Palmer Invitational is always a local sport treat. This is one of the Orlando area’s best sporting events and it is coming up March 23rd – 29th at the 7,267 yard Bay Hill Country Club course. The PGA golf event dates of play are actually Thursday, March 26th through Sunday, March 29th. The purse for the event is $5.8 million with $1.04 million to the winning player. Tickets for the event are $45 for a daily pass and $95 for a weekly pass. Other various special passes for premium amenity areas are also available.

Proceeds for the event benefit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. Arnold Palmer’s greatest lasting legacy will perhaps be the great impact these institutions have had on the quality of life in Central Florida.

Most of the buzz for the tournament has centered around whether Orlando area resident Tiger Woods will finish his rehabilitation in time for the tournament. In fact, the Orlando Sentinel now confirms that Tiger will be competing for his fifth Bay Hill victory. Other Floridians who will compete include Zach Johnson, formerly a native of Iowa, and now maintains a home in the area. Zach is currently in the Top 10 for the race for the FedEx Cup points in 2009. Bay Hill pairings have now been posted on the event website.

Most Orlando area vacation home rentals in Kissimmee and Davenport are about 25 minutes from the Bay Hill Course. One can park at Universal and ride the bus over to the event or purchase an on-site parking pass for the course. Either way, considering the normally beautiful weather and the entertaining golf, this is one of the area’s best events.