“The track at Mission Inn Resort and Club has proven to test our players and get them ready for the next level on the LPGA Tour. Each year, low scores are posted, and we’re thrilled to continue testing our athletes on the El Campéon course in 2023.”

- Jody Brothers

Chief Business & Operations Officer, Epson Tour

Around The Horn.

• The Epson Tour returns for the fourth consecutive year as the Inova Mission Inn Resort and Club Championship is this Friday-Sunday, May 26-28 at the El Campeón course about a 35-minute drive northwest of Orlando. A field of 144 players will compete in a 54-hole, stroke-play format for $200,000 and a winner’s share of $30,000. A cut will be made to the low 60 and ties after 36 holes. 
• The 2023 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship will be held on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg, Fla.,December 6-9, filling the last spot in the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota. The Harris Chain of Lakes last hosted this event in 2020.
• The Orlando Magic, in partnership with the City of Orlando, will bid to have Amway Center host the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend, according to a TDT application filed with Orange County.
• Ercan Kara and Martín Ojeda each had a goal and an assist to power Orlando City to a 3-1 road victory over rival Inter Miami on Saturday night. Kara gave Orlando City the lead in the 19th minute, using an assist from César Araújo to score his fourth goal in eight appearances this season.
• In a matchup where NWSL-leading Washington came in as a favorite, it was the Orlando Pride who emerged victorious with a 2-1 result to hand the Spirit their first loss of the season at Exploria Stadium on Saturday night. Goals by forward Marta and defender Kylie Strom made it a night to remember for the home crowd.
• The Orlando Solar Bears, in conjunction with the ECHL, have announced the preliminary draft of their schedule for the 2023-24 season. Orlando will open its 12th season of ECHL competition hosting their in-state rival Florida Everblades on Thursday, October 19 at Amway Center. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m.
• Whether the Orlando Magic, who already have several talented young players and are coming off a 34-48 season, will trade either pick remains to be seen. But they have the flexibility to go in multiple directions.
• With one swing of the bat, Andrew Brait earned UCF a day off and a spot in the winner’s bracket of the American Athletic Conference tournament in Clearwater.
• UCF men’s basketball received a fourth commitment out of the NCAA transfer portal over the weekend. Ball State guard Jaylin Sellers announced he’d join the Knights for their inaugural Big 12 season, becoming the third transfer guard to pledge to Johnny Dawkins this offseason.

In The News.

• Full Sail DC3 announced the launch of its online course in partnership with sportscasting legend and talk show host, Dan Patrick. The online course titled, The Art of Interviewing with legendary sportscaster Dan Patrick, prepares individuals to thrive in any interview situation – from long form sit-down interviews to short three-question quick formats, and more. Dan Patrick’s storied career spans TV, radio, and publications including ESPN, CNN, NBC, and Sports Illustrated.
• Dr. Phillips Charities, the group behind the $700 million Packing District development in the Fairvilla neighborhood just west of College Park, has just announced the addition of a new climbing and fitness gym. The new 45,000 SF gym will be the first Central Florida location of Tennessee-based High Point Climbing and Fitness and will feature a 55-foot-tall rope climbing area, a competition speed wall, a large bouldering and training area, and a 4,000 SF Kid Zone specifically for children.
• The City of Orlando and Lynx have just announced a new partnership that will bring an autonomous shuttle service to downtown Orlando and Parramore. The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority (Lynx) will join forces with Beep Inc., which currently provides an electric autonomous shuttle service in Lake Nona, to bring a similar service to Creative Village.
• Disneyland Resort celebrated World Wish Day by dedicating three windows on Main Street, U.S.A. to Make-A-Wish and the first two wish kids. While dedicating the first window in Disney Parks’ history to a nonprofit organization was an incredibly special moment, the day meant something much more to cast member and Make-A-Wish alumni Colin Smith.
• The City of Orlando’s Downtown Development Board re-launched PARK DTO on May 15 to provide free parking at on-street metered and non-metered spaces, via the ParkMobile app, and complimentary valet at participating restaurants.
• The Florida Department of Transportation will be carrying out an extensive resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation project along the Ivanhoe Village portion of Orange Avenue that includes improvements for pedestrians and ADA accessibility. The section of the project from Magnolia Avenue to Highland Avenue will repurpose the outside travel lanes into on-street parking.
• The Plaza Live will close briefly this summer in order to undergo extensive renovations. The independent venue shared that it will close to the public on June 1 to carry out “significant enhancements” that include upgrades to the building’s infrastructure, a new sound system, lighting, and stage equipment. The seating area will also be undergoing a redesign to allow for improved sightlines and “greater comfort.”

Stay Engaged.

• City District Main Street, the official Main Street entity in downtown Orlando, has just launched its first-ever Traffic Box Art Program in partnership with the Downtown Arts District and the Downtown Development Board. Artists have until June 5 to apply to make their mark on a 13 select traffic signal boxes that are located in the public right-of-way.
• United Arts of Central Florida is seeking proposals for five temporary public art projects in celebration of 25 Years of Orlando Arts Magazine. According to the call for artists page, the project will “… showcase unique installations to illustrate the artistic talent in Central Florida and highlight the magazine’s 150 issues. The proposed project must use aspects from Orlando Arts Magazine‘s prior 149 covers.”
• This year’s Florida Prize in Contemporary Art at Orlando Museum of Art is scheduled to open on Friday, June 2. The Exhibition Preview Party will take place that night from 6-10 p.m. and will feature a lineup of local restaurants and caterers serving special dishes that were inspired by each of the Florida Prize artists. 
• The Orlando Museum of Art will host a free event on Monday, June 12, at 5 p.m., during which it will unveil a special mobile Pulse-inspired mural that was once on display on the side of Burton’s Bar in Thornton Park. 
• Holographic theater company Verse Orlando has this week announced that it will open at Boxi Park in Lake Nona on May 26. The new venue will feature four mixed reality (MR) experiences, including the immersive experience ‘The Unreal Garden,’ following successful runs in San Francisco, Denver, and Chicago. Guests will also be able to enjoy hours of interactive visuals in what fans of the theater experience have described as: “playing in a dreamscape video game.”
• At Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot is bringing on spring with fantastic food and beverages, live entertainment, and more at the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. Now through June 5, guests will enjoy fresh cuisine, colorful gardens, playful topiaries and vibrant entertainment.
• Pet Alliance’s 31st Annual Furball Gala returns to the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort on Saturday, November 4, 2023! As Pet Alliance’s largest fundraiser of the year, Furball is a memorable evening of elegance and fun that directly supports Pet Alliance’s mission to rescue, rehab, and rehome thousands of homeless cats and dogs each year. Reserve your spot here, as sponsorships are already over halfway sold out!
• SeaWorld Orlando has introduced a flash sale for Howl-O-Scream, its after-hours, haunted house Halloween event. The discounted price is $36.99 per ticket, and at least two tickets must be purchased to get that price. The offer ends on May 14.
• Florida Residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets at Universal Orlando theme parks when buying online. Click here for current offers.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

In The Community.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel spoke at a press conference for the NCAA Division I, II & III Men's and Women's Tennis Championships being hosted at USTA National Campus this month. NCAA Senior Vice President Joni Comstock, USTA CEO & Executive Director Lew Sherr, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer spoke about this historic event - it is the first time the NCAA has hosted the men's and women's national championships for all three divisions in the same sport, in the same year, at the same venue.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah Grafton attended the Eagle Awards Dinner, pictured here with Jeff Hayward (Heart of Florida United Way) and Anne-Marie Hayward (Orlando Business Journal). The event was also attended by GO Sports board members Dan Pollack, Latria Graham, Justin Kinsey, Charles Hawkins, and Nancy Schwalb.

GO Sports Executive VP Jennifer Lastik and President & CEO Jason Siegel joined Mayor Demings when he participated in filming for the upcoming 2023 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando's Night of Champions.

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson presented on legacy events hosted in our community as part of a panel discussion during the Florida Sports Foundation's annual summit this week.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Florida Blue's Tony Jenkins helped present the Business of the Year award at the African American Chamber Eagle Awards Dinner, alongside Chamber President Tanisha Gary.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the Florida Sports Foundations annual summit, pictured here with FSF President Angela Suggs and colleagues.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and board member Allen Johnson (Orlando Venues) attended Mayor Dyer's annual State of Downtown address.

GO Sports Coordinator Elizabeth Caldarelli and Intern Gabriella Haugland at the NCAA Tennis Championships hosted at USTA National Campus.

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