When Rickie Fowler first met Arnold Palmer, he was in awe. Not only did Fowler meet The King while still just an emerging teen golfer, but he did so at Palmer’s beloved Bay Hill, site of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
“I remember playing an AJGA event at Bay Hill and that was a big deal to meet him,” Fowler said. “I thought he was the personification of cool and one of the greats of the game. He took me in from the get-go because I played a lot with Sam (Saunders, his grandson). He’d come watch Sam at the Sunnehanna Amateur (the men’s amateur tournament in Palmer’s native Pennsylvania).
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“He was a legend,” Fowler added. “I loved the way he played but also the way he was with people.”
Palmer’s standard for fan interaction is still on display at the PGA Tour event, which will be held this year from March 5 to 8 at the Central Florida track Golfweek’s Best has ranked as one of the top resort courses in the country.
And those looking to get close to the action, a real Palmer-like experience, have a number of options when it comes to hospitality, including the ever-popular Orange Grove and the new and improved Michelob Ultra Fan Deck.
Orange Grove
What makes the Orange Grove so special? The upgraded experience provides a distinguished environment for entertaining key partners, pairing premium access with exclusive offerings inside the iconic Bay Hill Clubhouse during the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Fans get up close to the practice green while in the Orange Grove.
The Orange Grove Bar: A sophisticated take on classic pub cuisine, complemented by chef-driven specialties and expertly crafted cocktails. Guests may unwind in an elegant TV lounge or enjoy curated interactive experiences, all set amid a distinguished collection of Arnold Palmer memorabilia. Overlooking the practice putting green, the Orange Grove patio offers attentive bar service, plush outdoor seating, and privileged sightlines as PGA Tour players prepare for competition.
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Private On-Course Seating: Guests receive exclusive access to a reserved Orange Grove seating enclave along the picturesque ninth hole at Bay Hill. This premium on-course experience features covered seating and complimentary bar service, placing you in refined comfort just steps from the world’s most elite golfers.
Arnie’s at the Orange Grove.
Arnie’s at the Orange Grove: Situated within the Bay Hill Clubhouse, Arnie’s at the Orange Grove offers reserved table seating with dedicated food service during lunch hours. This intimate, private dining environment delivers a polished clubhouse experience designed for discerning guests throughout the tournament.
Michelob Ultra Fan Deck back and better
The Michelob Ultra Fan Deck at the Arnold Palmer Invitational gives fans a chance to get up close and personal with players.
In 2026, the Michelob Ultra Fan Deck has returned — reimagined, refined, and more alive than ever — ushering in a bold new chapter for tournament week.
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The elements fans love remain at the heart of the experience: cool shade as the competition intensifies, front-row access to the electric walk along the 16th tee, and exclusive culinary offerings found nowhere else on property. But this year, the experience goes further. More flavor, more play, and more pulse — transforming the deck into a true on-course retreat.
The Michelob Ultra Fan Deck at the Arnold Palmer Invitational gives fans a chance to get up close and personal with players.
Settle into an Adirondack chair. Crack open an ice-cold beverage. Let the cheers roll in as the drama unfolds on oversized screens and just beyond the ropes. It’s golf at its most vibrant — an oasis where the game, the crowd, and the moment converge.
For premium experiences at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, click here.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Arnold Palmer Invitational’s Orange Grove, Ultra Deck heighten experience
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