Palm Beach to Host NCAA DII Women's Golf

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is partnering with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission to host the (NCAA) Division II Women’s Golf National Championship at PGA National Resort & Spa from May 14-18, 2019. This event will represent the inaugural NCAA Golf National Championship taking place in The Palm Beaches.  Sixteen collegiate golf teams and 96 total golfers will contend for the greatest achievement in college sports, during their time in Palm Beach County. 

The NCAA Division II Women’s Golf National Championship will tee off on The Champion course at PGA National Resort & Spa, which is unquestionably one of the best and most challenging golf courses in the United States.  The Champion course features the Bear Trap, which spans three demanding holes designed by Jack Nicklaus. 
 

Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU) is partnering with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission to oversee the event. PBAU will provide essential support by offering an abundance of volunteers, which are required to manage the National Championship. PBAU is a member of the Sunshine State Conference, which is a Division II affiliate of the NCAA.

The top four teams, from each of the four (4) NCAA Division II Women’s Golf  Regional, earn a bid to compete in the National Championship.   Additionally, the top four individuals not with a team from each regional will advance to participate in the National Championship.

The NCAA Division II Women’s Golf National Championship will consist of both team and individual competition conducted concurrently. After 54 holes of competition, the individual championship will conclude, and the top 8 teams will advance to Medal Match Play. The final 8 teams will be seeded based on team scores, and compete in quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals to determine a champion.

The National Championship will provide a considerable economic and tourism impact to Palm Beach County.  Students, alumni, and golf fans from across the United States are expected to visit The Palm Beaches and enjoy the crowning of a national champion. The event will create a impressive level of visitor spending while filling hotel rooms across the county. 

Palm Beach County is now the centerpiece of collegiate golf national championships. The NCAA awarded the Palm Beach County Sports Commission five (5) golf championships over a four (4) year span that will take place from 2019-2022 at PGA National Resort & Spa.  This achievement is remarkable considering the NCAA received more than 3,000 bid submissions from NCAA member schools, conferences, sports commissions and cities vying to host predetermined rounds for 84 of the NCAA’s 90 championships over the four-year bid cycle. 

“The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is thrilled to partner with Palm Beach Atlantic University in hosting the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf National Championship, which illustrates Palm Beach County as Florida’s Golf Capital,” said George Linley, Executive Director of Palm Beach County Sports Commission. “Very few communities have the privilege of hosting a collegiate national championship and we are honored to be hosting five over a four-year period. These NCAA championships will attract thousands of participants, spectators and families from across the United States, creating invaluable exposure and generating enormous, positive impact to Palm Beach County’s hospitality industry.”

About Palm Beach County Sports Commission

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-for-profit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the County as a sports tourism destination. The Commission brings sporting events and activities to the County, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues (primarily in the off-season), and maximizes utilization of County facilities. The Commission offers a full range of event service support, corporate partnerships, and a local membership program that support its goals. Local, regional, national and international marketing efforts are ongoing by the Commission with sports organizations and event owners. The Commission also produces sports-related programs for the residents of Palm Beach County including the annual Lou Groza Award program, the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame and the Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches. For more information on the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, go to www.palmbeachsports.com.