"It had been a while since I won...As far as a PGA Tour event, it had been almost a year, and so there had been a lot of chatter about my game and the state of where it was at. So it was nice to kind of come in here with a good mental attitude and perform well under pressure."

- Scottie Scheffler

Arnold Palmer Invitational Champion

Around The Horn.

• World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler cruised to a five-stroke victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard as he finished the tournament at -15. Scheffler gained 700 FedEx Cup points from this victory along with $4 million in prize money. This marks his second win at Bay Hill in the last three years and the seventh win of his PGA career.
• The Stetson men's basketball team is heading to March Madness for the first time in program history. Jalen Blackmon scored a career-high 43 points, making 14 of 17 free throws, and Stetson defeated Austin Peay 94-91 on Sunday to win the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament and an auto-bid to the NCAA Tournament.
• UCF men's basketball regular season came to an end yesterday as the Knights fell short to BYU 87-73 in the second round of the Big 12 Championship. UCF advanced to the second round after defeating Oklahoma State on Tuesday, but got off to a slow start against the Cougars and failed to complete the come back. The Knights will now have to wait until Sunday, March 17 to discover their postseason future.
• The Orlando Magic and head coach Jamahl Mosley have agreed to a multi-year contract extension that will keep him in Orlando through the 2027-28 season. The extension comes in the third year of his initial four-year contract, and was not only deserved but earned. Mosley currently has the Magic back in the playoff picture with a (38-28) record, good for fifth seed in the East and a half game back from fourth.
• The Orlando Pride has signed Zambian international Barbra Banda, who joins from Chinese Women’s Super League side Shanghai Shengli FC on a $740,000 transfer fee, the second highest fee ever paid in women’s soccer globally. Banda has signed a four-year contract with an estimated value of $2.1 million, making her one of the highest-paid players in the National Women’s Soccer League. 
• The Orlando Solar Bears return to the Kia Center on Monday, March 18 to host the Florida Everblades. Puck drop is slated for 7pm and is presented by Vystar Credit Union. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
• Orlando City's run in Concacaf Champions Cup once again comes to an end in the Round of 16 as the Lions were defeated by Tigres UANL Tuesday night. The Lions fell behind 2-0 quickly in the game and were unable to get momentum going, eventually losing 4-2 in Mexico. Orlando City will return to the MLS on Sunday, March 17 at Atlanta United.
• The Orlando Magic snapped their two-game losing streak yesterday and returned to their usual style of play in a dominating victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The Magic (38-28) never trailed during the game and finished with a score of 114-106. The team now heads to Toronto for a Saturday matchup against the Raptors.
• Baker Mayfield finally has a home in the NFL and a new lease on his career. The vagabond quarterback, who has played for four teams since 2021, has agreed to a three-year $100 million contract to remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The deal includes $50 million guaranteed, with a maximum value of $115 million with performance incentives.

Be a part of the magic of runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend. As a volunteer, you’d be supporting the runDisney® athletes and the presence of Make-A-Wish® Central & Northern Florida at Walt Disney World® Resort.

To register click HERE.

Elite Women's College Basketball is Returning to ESPN Wide World of Sports!

In The News.

• Over 10 graduates from local Full Sail University were credited on five Oscar-winning projects across 11 categories at the 96th annual Academy Awards. These projects include popular films Barbie, Oppenheimer, American Fiction, and more. The awards show aired Sunday, March 10 and was hosted by comedian, writer, producer, and television host Jimmy Kimmel.
• The Brevard Zoo announced their plans to capitalize on Central Florida tourism by adding a new $100 million aquarium to their organization. The zoo is hoping to break ground on it later this year and be open to the public in 2027, but they first need to secure the remainder of their funding.
• Orlando was named one of the nation's 'new job hot-spots' in a recent addition of the Wall Street Journal. In the report, factors such as Central Florida's concentration of schools, lower taxes, costs of living, and weather allow for companies to attract a broader talent pool. Data cited in the Wall Street Journal from the Economic Innovation Group shows that Orlando added 139,000 jobs during the past five years.
• Orlando's first college tied to osteopathic medicine cut the ribbon on its 145,000-square-foot, $75 million campus on Sunday, March 10. The college, named The Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine, will produce doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) degrees versus doctor of medicine (MD) degrees. The degrees are similar, but some methods vary, as osteopathic doctors focus on a holistic approach of diagnosis that includes mind, body, and spirit.
• Orlando Health's main campus near downtown has a wave of new construction projects in the works that will expand its medical services. The list of upcoming additions includes the Orlando Health Children's Pavilion, Orlando Health Neuroscience Center, and exterior renovations of the Orlando Health Digestive Health Institute. The renovations should be finished this spring, with the addition of 48,475 square feet to the building set to be complete this summer.
• Popular chicken restaurant Huey Magoo's announced they will open a new Lake Nona location on March 26 as part of their 250-store expansion push. Not only are they opening a new store, but Huey Magoo's is also moving their headquarters to Central Florida, just north of Orlando International Airport. The restaurant chain is also opening a Longwood location later this summer.
• Transportation company SunRail has reported their ridership numbers are up tremendously for the 2023 fiscal year. SunRail drew more than a million riders for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, and ridership to start the year has been up 12% over 2023. SunRail is currently working on an expansion to DeLand targeted to open in May.

Stay Engaged.

• Walt Disney World is offering discounted theme park admission to Floridians under the name of Discover Disney Tickets. These special tickets can be used between April 2 and Sept. 28, and it is one park per day unless you purchase the park-hopping option. Discover Disney Tickets are also available to non-Florida residents, but at an elevated price. Florida residency must be validated online at time of purchase or at a Disney World park ticket window.
• Attend the Spring Sip & Stroll on March 24 for an afternoon of fine wines, assortments of cheeses, and other light snacks. The event will be held at the Central Florida Animal Reserve, and there will be a self-guided tour to see the majestic big cats as well as a silent auction. The price is $50 per person and registration is needed in advance.
• The Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival is this weekend Sunday, March 17 at Central Park located on Park Avenue. The festival will feature hundreds of local, national, and international artists, and food and beverages being served. Admission is free and the event will run from 9am to 5pm.
• Universal Studios Orlando continue their famous Mardi Gras festivities and they will run nightly until its conclusion on April 7. The parade takes place throughout the Universal Studios park, and visitors can try to collect beads from the various different decorated floats. Mardi Gras activities are included with your Universal admission, and select food and beverage are available for purchase.
• SeaWorld has begun celebrating their 60th anniversary and are offering $60 theme park tickets on select days sprinkled throughout the rest of the year. The deadline to purchase these is Sunday, March 17 and are valid for one visit, but a maximum of 14 tickets can be purchased per transaction.
• Legoland Florida has moved into the fast lane and opened their new Ferrari attraction to the public. Visitors can assemble small cars using red and black Lego bricks and run them through ramps and other physical challenges, and then sit in the life-sized model of a Ferrari 296 GTS made up of 424,000 Legos.
• 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 Senior VP Brent Nelson joined the Visit Orlando team for a campus tour of Full Sail this week, pictured here with GO Sports board member John Saboor (Full Sail University).

GO Sports Associate VPs Lindsey McBride, Kyle Sturley, and Chase DeMayo attended the Orlando Economic Partnership BBQ in the Park on Tuesday evening.

GO Sports President and CEO Jason Siegel welcomes the WBCA Showcase to Orlando, pictured here with Danielle Donehew (WBCA), Jose Fernandez (South Florida), and Jorge Senior (Walt Disney World).

GO Sports President and CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah met with Governor Ron DeSantis and board member Drew Donovan (Arnold Palmer Group) at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last weekend.

GO Sports Executive Vice President Jennifer Lastik attended the Orlando Economic Partnership BBQ in the Park event, pictured with GO Sports board members Lisa Curran (Duke Energy) and Melanie DiVirgilio (SeaCoast Bank).

GO Sports Associate VP Lindsey McBride at the Berkley Series National Championship banquet, pictured here with Fisher's of Men Senior Vice President Bobby Eads.

GO Sports President and CEO Jason Siegel attended the Arnold Palmer Invitational last weekend, pictured with GO Sports board members Greg Lee (BakerHostetler), Ciaran McArdle (XL Sports World), Jackie Hayter (Orlando Health), Chair Elect Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride), and John Gyllin (Seminole State).

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen at Orlando Economic Partnership BBQ in the Park event, pictured with his wife Jill (Lifeboat Project) and Commissioner Lee Constantine (Seminole County).

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

For more information, visit 11thhourbiz.com.

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.

• What's Happening: Orange County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Seminole County Things To Do
• What's Happening: Osceola County Things To Do