The Palm Beach County Sports Commission and Keiser University will partner to host the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Women’s Golf National Championship at PGA National Resort & Spa from May 23-26, 2017. The event will be held at the PGA National-Fazio Course, which is the newest course on the PGA National Resort & Spa’s property. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission was awarded the bid to host the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship for the summer of 2017 and 2018.
A total of 29 teams, consisting of 156 golfers will travel to Palm Beach County in pursuit of a national championship. The NAIA Women’s Golf Championship field consists of 21 automatic qualifying teams (conference champions), eight (8) at-large team selections, and ten (10) individual qualifiers. At-large teams are selected according to the final regular season Coaches Top 25 Poll.
The NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship includes one (1) official practice round (although the teams are allowed to arrive early to play additional practice rounds if they wish) and four (4) days of competition. The tournament features a total of 72 holes of golf with a cut after 54 holes. The field of 29 teams is reduced to 14 teams and the 40 top individual golfers after the cut. The competition format is stroke play. Each team competes with five golfers (minimum of four) and the top four scores posted each day are counted toward the team standings.
Hosting this event is extra special for Palm Beach County. Keiser University owns a rich tradition of collegiate golf and the Seahawks have won the NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship during the past two seasons and three in school history. In 2017, Keiser University has a chance to win a title in its hometown.
The PGA National-Fazio Course opened in November of 2012. Formerly known as the “Haig” course, Fazio is a reinvention of the previous 18-hole course which opened in 1980. The course was originally designed by the Fazio brothers, and the renovations being led by Tom Fazio II. The goal of the renovations was to “modernize” the land. With the renovations came a 70% increase in green surface and moderated tee boxes and bunkers.
The NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship will provide a significant tourism impact to Palm Beach County. In addition to the 144 golfers, this event is expected to bring over 700 students and alumni from across the nation. The event will create a significant level of visitor spending while filling more than 1,300 room nights for Palm Beach County hotels.
Since 1937, the NAIA has administered programs and championships in proper balance with the overall educational experience. In 2000, the NAIA reaffirmed its purpose to enhance the character-building aspects of the sport. Through the Champions of Character program, the NAIA seeks to create an environment in which every student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. Currently, the NAIA has 163 members participating in women’s golf.
NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship Schedule:
Saturday, May 20:
Teams/NAIA officials begin arriving, practicing
Sunday, May 21:
Voluntary Practice Rounds
Monday, May 22:
Practice Rounds & Opening Banquet at 6:30pm
Tuesday, May 23:
Opening Round Begins at 7:30am
Wednesday, May 24:
Second Round Begins at 7:30am
Thursday, May 25:
Third Round Begins at 7:30am
Friday, May 26:
Final Round Begins at 7:30 am
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