Featured Golf Course
In this section learn more about the history of the course and its hometown, see a selection of historic and current images of the course, learn about what the course is like today, and discover nearby historic sites.
Mission Resort + Club - El Campeόn
History
The Mission Resort + Club's El Campeόn Course is located in the Town of Howey-in-the-Hills in Lake County.
The town was named for William J. Howey, its founder, who was one of central Florida’s first large-scale citrus growers and land promoters. In 1914 Howey began purchasing land in the area and by 1920 had accumulated 60,000 acres for his development project. The town of “Howey” was incorporated in 1925 and two years later changed its name to Howey-in-the-Hills. Howey envisioned a great citrus empire with the town as the commercial and shipping hub.
To attract investors and visitors, Howey hired Chicago-based golf course architect George O'Neil, to design an 18-hole golf course. O’Neil claimed that “this will be America’s most famous course in a short while.” Howey began promoting the links as the Howey Golf Club in 1916, though the course officially opened in 1917. After a decade of use, Captain Charles E. Clarke of Troon, Scotland was brought in to rework and update the golf course. The golf course was also known as the Chain-O’-Lakes Golf Course, Bougainvillea Golf Club and the Floridan Country Club.
In 2009, the El Campeόn golf course, which means “the Champion” was awarded the Florida Golf Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association. El Campeόn has been the site for many tournaments, including NCAA events, the Florida State High School Championships, and eleven Collegiate championships.
Howey Golf Course and George O'Neil
Original Layout of the El Campeón Golf Course
Capt. Charles E. Clarke and the Howey Golf Course
Old 5th Tee at El Campeón Golf Course - c1933
Old 18th Tee at El Campeón Golf Course - c1933
Teeing Off on the Old 4th Tee (now the 12th) at El Campeón Golf Course - c1930s
Old 4th Green at El Campeón Golf Course - December 1936
Vintage Photograph of the El Campeón Golf Course
Today
The 18-hole, par-72 El Campeόn Course at Mission Resort + Club features six tees playing from 4,800 to 7,000 yards, allowing players of varying skill levels to either challenge themselves, or enjoy the course at a more leisurely pace. El Campeόn tests players with elevation changes of more than 85 feet, and rolling fairways and undulating greens. The award-winning resort and convention facility sits on beautifully landscaped grounds. In addition to golf, the resort offers a five-star tennis facility, four elegant dining areas, a restored river yacht and a marina on Lake Harris.
Mission Inn Resort & Club
8th Hole at El Campeón Golf Course
Aerial of El Campeón Golf Course
9th Hole at El Campeón Golf Course
16th Hole at El Campeón Golf Course
El Campeón and Florida Historic Golf Trail Pin Flag
Golfers at El Campeón Golf Course
Layout of the El Campeón Golf Course
Scorecard for the El Campeón Golf Course
Local Knowledge
The 4th hole on El Campeon is one of its toughest and unique. The hole requires a tee shot over Lake Beverly to a fairway that rises 60 feet to a plateau green that slopes from back to front. Two bunkers are located around the green to catch errant shots short & right and long & left.
Dating back to George O’Neil’s 1917 plan, the hole was originally the finishing (18th) hole. Just Image playing this hole back in the teens, having to hit a tee shot over water and up a steep hill with hickory golf clubs.
7th Hole at El Dorado Executive Course
Inside the Leather
Trails of the Conquistadors - Mission Resort + Club offers two intertwining historical and educational eco-adventure trails celebrating Central Florida's early Spanish conquistador explorations. Nestled in the heart of the resort's El Campeόn golf course, the Trails of the Conquistadors takes guests through a third of a mile of undeveloped land reminiscent of native "old Florida." Nearly 400 years ago, expeditions led by Panfilo de Narvaez and Hernando De Soto passed through Central Florida and the Mission Inn area.
The trails capture what these explorers might have seen and showcase the history of Florida's native and invasive plant life, regional birds and wildlife. trails. Plants and animals on the trails change seasonally. Visitors interested in walking the trails can visit the Mission Inn Resort & Club's front desk to obtain an explorer's guide. The trail entrance is located behind La Hacienda bridge, between El Campeon’s 17th Green and 18th Tee.
Trails of the Conquistadors
Trails of the Conquistadors
Trails of the Conquistadors
Trails of the Conquistadors Map
Visit - Contact
Mission Resort + Club - El Campeόn
10400 County Road 48
Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida 34737
10400 County Road 48
Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida 34737
View the Website
Phone:
800.874.9053