Sahara Invitational
In this article, we will explore the topic of Sahara Invitational from different perspectives and approaches. Sahara Invitational is a topic that has gained relevance in recent years due to its impact on various areas of society. Throughout this article, we will examine the different dimensions of Sahara Invitational, its history, its implications today, and possible projections for the future. Additionally, we will delve into the opinions and reflections of experts in the field, as well as the experiences of those who have been directly affected by Sahara Invitational. Ultimately, our goal is to offer a comprehensive and enriching view on this topic, in hopes of fostering dialogue and understanding among our readers.
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Established | 1958 |
| Course(s) | Sahara Nevada Country Club |
| Par | 71 |
| Length | 6,800 yards (6,200 m)[1] |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Format | Stroke play |
| Prize fund | US$135,000 |
| Month played | September/October |
| Final year | 1976 |
| Tournament record score | |
| Aggregate | 269 Billy Casper (1965) |
| To par | −15 as above |
| Final champion | |
 George Archer | |
| Location map | |
  Sahara Nevada CC Location in the United States  Sahara Nevada CC Location in Nevada | |
The Sahara Invitational was a PGA Tour event in Nevada from 1958 through 1976, played in Las Vegas and sponsored by the Sahara Hotel. In the first four years, it was the Sahara Pro-Am and an unofficial tour event. Paradise Valley Country Club hosted in 1970 and 1971, and Sahara Nevada Country Club from 1972–1976.
Jack Nicklaus won Sahara four times in a seven-year span in the 1960s, and three future major champions (Tony Lema,[2] Lanny Wadkins, and John Mahaffey) made Sahara their first tour victory.
A month after the 1976 event,[1] it was announced in early November that the Sahara Invitational was being discontinued. Edward M. Nigro, vice president and general manager of Hotel Sahara, cited rising costs, scheduling conflicts, and a decline in the national promotion benefit as the reasons for the tournament's cancellation.[3]
The Las Vegas Founders returned the PGA Tour to Las Vegas in 1983 with the Panasonic Las Vegas Pro Celebrity Classic; since 2007, it has been organized by the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Tournament highlights
- 1962: Tony Lema wins the inaugural Sahara Invitational, three shots ahead of Don January.[2]
- 1964: R. H. Sikes shoots a first round 62 on his way to a two shot triumph over defending champion Jack Nicklaus, Phil Rodgers, and Jack McGowan.[4]
- 1967: Jack Nicklaus becomes the only Sahara champion to successfully defend his title. He wins by one shot over Steve Spray.[5]
- 1968: Chi-Chi Rodríguez shoots a final round 64 to come from six shots back and force a sudden death playoff. He then birdies the first playoff hole to defeat Dale Douglass.[6]
- 1969: Nicklaus shoots a final round 65 for his 29th PGA Tour title and fourth Sahara victory. He finishes four shots ahead of Frank Beard.[7]
- 1971: Lee Trevino wins his sixth PGA Tour event of the year, one shot ahead of George Archer.[8]
- 1974: Al Geiberger wins for the first time on tour since his PGA Championship triumph in 1966; he finishes three shots ahead of Jerry Heard, Wally Armstrong, Mike Hill, and Dave Hill.[9]
- 1976: Runner-up five years earlier, Archer wins the last Sahara, two strokes ahead of defending champion Dave Hill and third round leader Don January.[1]
Winners
| Year | Tour[a] | Winner | Score | To par | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up | Winner's share ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahara Invitational | |||||||
| 1976 | PGAT | George Archer |
271 | −13 | 2 strokes | Dave Hill Don January |
27,000 |
| 1975 | PGAT | Dave Hill |
270 | −14 | Playoff | Rik Massengale |
27,000 |
| 1974 | PGAT | Al Geiberger |
273 | −11 | 3 strokes | Wally Armstrong Jerry Heard Dave Hill Mike Hill |
27,000 |
| 1973 | PGAT | John Mahaffey |
271 | −13 | 3 strokes | Dave Eichelberger |
27,000 |
| 1972 | PGAT | Lanny Wadkins |
273 | −11 | 1 stroke | Arnold Palmer |
27,000 |
| 1971 | PGAT | Lee Trevino |
280 | −8 | 1 stroke | George Archer |
27,000 |
| 1970 | PGAT | Babe Hiskey |
276 | −12 | 1 stroke | Miller Barber Terry Dill Bob Goalby |
20,000 |
| 1969 | PGAT | Jack Nicklaus (4) |
272 | −12 | 4 strokes | Frank Beard |
20,000 |
| 1968 | PGAT | Chi-Chi Rodríguez |
274 | −10 | Playoff | Dale Douglass |
20,000 |
| 1967 | PGAT | Jack Nicklaus (3) |
270 | −14 | 1 stroke | Steve Spray |
20,000 |
| 1966 | PGAT | Jack Nicklaus (2) |
282 | −2 | 3 strokes | Miller Barber Arnold Palmer |
20,000 |
| 1965 | PGAT | Billy Casper |
269 | −15 | 3 strokes | Billy Martindale |
20,000 |
| 1964 | PGAT | R. H. Sikes |
275 | −9 | 3 strokes | Jack McGowan Jack Nicklaus Phil Rodgers |
12,000 |
| 1963 | PGAT | Jack Nicklaus |
276 | −8 | 1 stroke | Gay Brewer Al Geiberger |
13,000 |
| 1962 | PGAT | Tony Lema |
270 | −14 | 3 strokes | Don January |
2,800 |
| Sahara Pro-Am | |||||||
| 1961 | Phil Rodgers |
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| 1960 | Bob Duden |
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| 1959 | Doug Sanders |
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| 1958 | Bill Johnston |
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Notes
References
- ^ a b c "Sahara victory surprises Archer". The Day. New London, Connecticut). Associated Press. October 4, 1976. p. 29.
- ^ a b "Lema victor at Las Vegas with a 270". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. October 1, 1962. p. 12.
- ^ "Sahara golf no more". Lakeland Ledger. (Florida). Associated Press. November 5, 1976. p. 1B.
- ^ Dick Sikes breaks in with Sahara golf win
- ^ Jack Nicklaus wins Sahara golf tourney
- ^ Chi Chi wins Sahara
- ^ Nicklaus wins Sahara event
- ^ Trevino wins Sahara Open
- ^ Geiberger ends drought with Sahara Open victory