The story goes that with only a few weeks to go before the opening of the resort, Sandy Quinn, head or marketing for the resort, was given the task of setting up a PGA Tour golf tournament before the end of the year. Quinn knew nothing about arranging golf tournaments, but he did know that Palmer was in town at his new Bay Hill development.
Palmer reportedly spent a few hours testing some of the rides before Quinn managed to get him to confirm his participation along with a couple of his famous golfing buddies.
Jack Nicklaus won that year, and followed it up with victories in 1972 and 1973.
The tournament is still part of the PGA Tour. Tiger Woods has won twice at Disney, including in his rookie year on tour, in 1996.