Mission Resort + Club - El Campeon

El Campeon at Mission Resort + Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, is one of the oldest golf courses in the South, dating to 1917. Chicago-based architect George O'Neil designed the original layout, with Charles Clarke of Troon, Scotland adding enhancements to the back nine in 1926. The course sits on terrain that is unusually hilly for Central Florida, with documented elevation changes exceeding 85 feet — a defining characteristic that sets it apart from the flat landscapes typical of the region. The 18-hole, par-72 layout stretches to 6,900 yards and is part of the Florida Historic Golf Trail. El Campeon operates on a semi-private basis, open to resort guests and daily-fee public play. Mission Resort's second course, Las Colinas, operates as a sister property on the same grounds. Pricing falls in the mid-range ($$) tier.