Buick Challenge
Encyclopedia
The Buick Challenge was a golf
tournament on the PGA Tour
from 1970 to 2002. It was played at the Callaway Gardens Resort
(Mountain View Course), Pine Mountain, Georgia from 1991 to 2002 and at the Green Island Country Club in Columbus, Georgia
from 1970 to 1990. It was founded in 1970 as the Green Island Open Invitational but was known for most of its existence as the Southern Open. The purse for the 2002 tournament was $3,700,000, with $666,000 going to the winner.
Buick Southern Open
Southern Open
Southern Open Invitational
Green Island Open Invitational
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
tournament on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
from 1970 to 2002. It was played at the Callaway Gardens Resort
Callaway Gardens
Callaway Gardens is a resort complex located in Pine Mountain, Georgia, just outside of Columbus, Georgia. The resort draws over 750,000 visitors annually....
(Mountain View Course), Pine Mountain, Georgia from 1991 to 2002 and at the Green Island Country Club in Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
from 1970 to 1990. It was founded in 1970 as the Green Island Open Invitational but was known for most of its existence as the Southern Open. The purse for the 2002 tournament was $3,700,000, with $666,000 going to the winner.
Winners
Buick Challenge- 2002 Jonathan ByrdJonathan Byrd (golfer)Jonathan Currie Byrd is an American professional golfer. He was the 2002 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, and has won five times on the PGA Tour.-Biography:...
- 2001 Chris DiMarcoChris DiMarcoChristian Dean DiMarco is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. DiMarco has won seven tournaments as a pro, including three PGA Tour events.-Early years:...
- 2000 David DuvalDavid DuvalDavid Robert Duval is an American professional golfer and former World No. 1 who competes on the PGA Tour.-Early years:...
- 1999 David TomsDavid TomsDavid Wayne Toms is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He has won a total of thirteen events on the PGA Tour including the 2001 PGA Championship...
- 1998 Steve ElkingtonSteve ElkingtonStephen John Elkington is an Australian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He spent over 50 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 1995 to 1998.-Early years and education:...
- 1997 Davis Love IIIDavis Love IIIDavis Milton Love III is an American professional golfer.Love was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina before turning professional in 1985. He earned his PGA Tour card in the fall of 1985, on his first attempt. He quickly established himself on the PGA...
- 1996 Michael BradleyMichael Bradley (golfer)Michael John Bradley is an American professional golfer.Bradley was born in Largo, Florida. He attended Oklahoma State University and turned professional in 1988....
- 1995 Fred FunkFred FunkFrederick Funk is an American professional golfer.Funk was born in Takoma Park, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1980 with a degree in law enforcement. He turned professional in 1981, but worked as a golf coach at his alma mater from 1982 to 1988; he did not...
Buick Southern Open
- 1994 Steve ElkingtonSteve ElkingtonStephen John Elkington is an Australian professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He spent over 50 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 1995 to 1998.-Early years and education:...
- 1993 John InmanJohn Inman (golfer)John Samuel Inman is an American professional golfer and college men's golf head coach. He is the younger brother of professional golfer Joe Inman....
- 1992 Gary HallbergGary HallbergGary George Hallberg is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, and Champions Tour....
- 1991 David PeoplesDavid Peoples (golfer)David Roy Peoples is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour.Peoples was born in Augusta, Maine...
- 1990 Kenny KnoxKenny KnoxEdward Kenneth Knox is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, and the Champions Tour....
Southern Open
- 1989 Ted SchulzTed SchulzTheodore James Schulz is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour....
- 1988 David FrostDavid Frost (golfer)David Laurence Frost is a South African professional golfer who has more than twenty professional tournament wins to his name, spread across four continents....
- 1987 Ken BrownKen Brown (golfer)Ken Brown is a Scottish former European Tour golfer who now works as a golf broadcaster and writer, primarily for the BBC. He also works as part of the commentary team for the international coverage of the European Tour on selected events which are not covered by the BBC...
- 1986 Fred WadsworthFred WadsworthFrederick Willi Wadsworth is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and South Africa's Sunshine Tour....
- 1985 Tim SimpsonTim SimpsonTimothy Jay Simpson is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour, and currently plays on the Champions Tour....
- 1984 Hubert GreenHubert GreenHubert Myatt Green is an American professional golfer who has won numerous professional golf tournaments at both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour level....
- 1983 Ronnie BlackRonnie BlackRonald Jay Black is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour.Black was born in Lovington, New Mexico. He attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he was a member of the golf team. He turned pro in 1981.Black won two events on the...
- 1982 Bobby ClampettBobby ClampettRobert Daniel Clampett, Jr. is a television golf analyst, golf course architect, writer, and professional golfer, who played on the PGA Tour from 1980 to 1995. Clampett began playing on the Champions Tour in April 2010....
- 1981 J. C. Snead
- 1980 Mike SullivanMike Sullivan (golfer)Michael James Sullivan is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour, and currently plays on the Champions Tour.Sullivan was born in Gary, Indiana...
- 1979 Ed FioriEd FioriEdward Ray Fiori is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.Fiori was born in Lynwood, California. As a youth, Fiori would sneak through a barbed wire fence to a nine-hole course near his Downey, California home to practice his game. He attended the...
- 1978 Jerry PateJerry PateJerome Kendrick "Jerry" Pate is an American golfer.Jerry Pate was born in Macon, Georgia. He attended the University of Alabama, where he played on the golf team. Pate had a distinguished amateur career. He won the U.S. Amateur in 1974, and the following year he was a member of victorious U.S....
- 1977 Jerry PateJerry PateJerome Kendrick "Jerry" Pate is an American golfer.Jerry Pate was born in Macon, Georgia. He attended the University of Alabama, where he played on the golf team. Pate had a distinguished amateur career. He won the U.S. Amateur in 1974, and the following year he was a member of victorious U.S....
- 1976 Mac McLendonMac McLendonBenson Rayfield "Mac" McLendon, Jr. is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s....
- 1975 Hubert GreenHubert GreenHubert Myatt Green is an American professional golfer who has won numerous professional golf tournaments at both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour level....
- 1974 Forrest FezlerForrest FezlerForrest Oliver Fezler is an American golf course design consultant and former PGA Tour professional golfer.-Early years:...
- 1973 Gary PlayerGary PlayerGary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six...
- 1972 DeWitt WeaverDeWitt Weaver (golfer)DeWitt Thompson Weaver, Jr. is an American golf consultant and former professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour....
Southern Open Invitational
- 1971 Johnny MillerJohnny MillerJohn Laurence Miller is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour. He was one of the top players in the world during the mid-1970s; he ranked second in the world on Mark McCormack's world golf rankings in both 1974 and 1975 behind Jack Nicklaus. He is currently the lead golf...
Green Island Open Invitational
- 1970 Mason RudolphMason RudolphEdgar Mason Rudolph was an American golfer who won five times on the PGA Tour.-Early years and amateur career:...
Tournament highlights
- 1970: Mason RudolphMason RudolphEdgar Mason Rudolph was an American golfer who won five times on the PGA Tour.-Early years and amateur career:...
wins the inaugural version of the tournament. He wins by two shots over Chris Blocker. - 1971: Future World Golf Hall of FameWorld Golf Hall of FameThe World Golf Hall of Fame is located at World Golf Village near St. Augustine, Florida, in the United States, and it is unusual among sports halls of fame in that a single site serves both men and women. It is supported by a consortium of 26 golf organizations from all over the world.The Hall of...
member Johnny MillerJohnny MillerJohn Laurence Miller is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour. He was one of the top players in the world during the mid-1970s; he ranked second in the world on Mark McCormack's world golf rankings in both 1974 and 1975 behind Jack Nicklaus. He is currently the lead golf...
wins for the first time on the PGA Tour. He wins by five shots over Deane BemanDeane BemanDeane R. Beman is an American professional golfer, golf administrator, and golf course architect.Beman was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he played for the varsity golf team. Following graduation, Beman had a career in the insurance...
. - 1975: Hubert GreenHubert GreenHubert Myatt Green is an American professional golfer who has won numerous professional golf tournaments at both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour level....
shoots a final round 64 to win by three shots over John Schroeder. - 1978: Jerry PateJerry PateJerome Kendrick "Jerry" Pate is an American golfer.Jerry Pate was born in Macon, Georgia. He attended the University of Alabama, where he played on the golf team. Pate had a distinguished amateur career. He won the U.S. Amateur in 1974, and the following year he was a member of victorious U.S....
becomes the one and only winner of the tournament to successfully defend his title. He beats Phil HancockPhil HancockPhillip Ranson Hancock is an American professional golfer who formerly played on the PGA Tour.- Early life :Hancock and his older brother "Bunky" learned the game of golf growing up in Greenville, Alabama from their father, a local dentist. Hancock and his friends would often play 45 or 54 holes...
by one shot. - 1981: Mike SullivanMike Sullivan (golfer)Michael James Sullivan is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and Nationwide Tour, and currently plays on the Champions Tour.Sullivan was born in Gary, Indiana...
looks poised to win back to back Southern Opens till J. C. Snead defeats him on the second hole of a sudden death playoff. - 1983: Scottish golfer Sam TorranceSam TorranceSam Torrance OBE is a Scottish professional golfer and sports commentator. He was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid 1970s to the late 1990s, with 21 Tour wins. Torrance was a member of European Ryder Cup teams on eight occasions, from 1981 to 1995 consecutively; he was...
who had never made a cut in ten previous PGA Tour appearances, tries tuning up for the Ryder Cup matches1983 Ryder CupThe 25th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.The United States team won the competition by a score of 14½ to 13½ points but for the first time the Europeans showed that they had the ability to compete at their level and that it would only be a...
by participating in the Southern Open. Torrance nearly wins till Ronnie BlackRonnie BlackRonald Jay Black is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour.Black was born in Lovington, New Mexico. He attended Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he was a member of the golf team. He turned pro in 1981.Black won two events on the...
birdies the forth playoff hole to take home the title. - 1986: Columbus, Georgia native and Monday qualifier Fred WadsworthFred WadsworthFrederick Willi Wadsworth is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and South Africa's Sunshine Tour....
wins by two shots over George ArcherGeorge ArcherGeorge William Archer was an American golfer who won twelve events on the PGA Tour, including one major championship.Archer was born in San Francisco, California and was raised just south in the city of San Mateo...
, John CookJohn Cook (golfer)John Neuman Cook is an American professional golfer, who has played on the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour....
, Tim SimpsonTim SimpsonTimothy Jay Simpson is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour, and currently plays on the Champions Tour....
, and Jim ThorpeJim Thorpe (golfer)Jimmy Lee Thorpe is an American professional golfer, currently playing on the Champions Tour.Thorpe was born in Roxboro, North Carolina, the ninth of the twelve children of a fairway superintendent. He attended Morgan State University before turning pro in 1972. He won three times on the PGA Tour...
. - 1990: Kenny KnoxKenny KnoxEdward Kenneth Knox is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour, and the Champions Tour....
who was born in Columbus, Georgia and had lived there till he was sixteen, makes a birdie on the second playoff hole to defeat Jim Hallet. - 1993: The tournament has its first ever five-player playoff. John InmanJohn InmanFrederick John Inman was an English actor best known for his role as Mr. Humphries in Are You Being Served?, a British sitcom in the 1970s and 1980s. Inman was also well known in the United Kingdom as a pantomime dame....
makes a birdie on the second extra hole to defeat Billy AndradeBilly AndradeWilliam Thomas Andrade is an American professional golfer.Andrade was born in Bristol, Rhode Island. He attended Wake Forest University where he helped lead the Demon Deacons to the 1986 NCAA Championship. He played on the U.S. team in the 1987 Walker Cup, and turned professional in the same year...
, Bob EstesBob EstesBob Alan Estes is an American professional golfer.Estes was born in Graham, Texas and reared in Abilene, Texas. He first played golf at age 4 and decided to become a professional golfer at age 12. Estes attended the University of Texas from 1984–1988, and was a member of the golf team...
, Brad BryantBrad BryantBradley Dub Bryant is an American professional golfer.Bryant was born in Amarillo, Texas, the son of a Southern Baptist pastor. He moved with his family to Alamagordo, New Mexico during his youth...
, and Mark BrooksMark Brooks (golfer)Mark David Brooks is an American professional golfer.Brooks was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a three-time All-American as a member of the golf team. He turned professional in 1983.Brooks has seven wins on the PGA Tour, including one major,...
. - 1996: For the second time in four years, the tournament winner is decided in a five-player playoff. Michael BradleyMichael Bradley (golfer)Michael John Bradley is an American professional golfer.Bradley was born in Largo, Florida. He attended Oklahoma State University and turned professional in 1988....
birdies the first hole of sudden death to beat Len MattiaceLen MattiaceLeonard Earl "Len" Mattiace is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour.Mattiace was born in Mineola, New York. He attended Nease High School in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 1990 with a degree in Sociology. While at Wake Forest, he played on the...
, Davis Love IIIDavis Love IIIDavis Milton Love III is an American professional golfer.Love was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina before turning professional in 1985. He earned his PGA Tour card in the fall of 1985, on his first attempt. He quickly established himself on the PGA...
, Fred FunkFred FunkFrederick Funk is an American professional golfer.Funk was born in Takoma Park, Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1980 with a degree in law enforcement. He turned professional in 1981, but worked as a golf coach at his alma mater from 1982 to 1988; he did not...
, and John MaginnesJohn MaginnesJohn Maginnes is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour and is currently a golf analyst with his own show on XM Radio.-Playing career:...
. - 2001: Just like in 1981, the defending champion loses in a playoff. This time it is David DuvalDavid DuvalDavid Robert Duval is an American professional golfer and former World No. 1 who competes on the PGA Tour.-Early years:...
who loses to Chris DiMarcoDiMarcoDi Marco is a surname, and may refer to:*Chris DiMarco, American golfer*Damon DiMarco, American historian and biographer*Magali Di Marco Messmer, a Swiss professional triathlete*Melissa DiMarco Canadian actress*Paul DiMarco, American mobster...
on the first hole of sudden death. - 2002: Jonathan ByrdJonathan Byrd (golfer)Jonathan Currie Byrd is an American professional golfer. He was the 2002 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, and has won five times on the PGA Tour.-Biography:...
shoots a final round 63 to win the final edition of the tournament. He beats David TomsDavid TomsDavid Wayne Toms is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He has won a total of thirteen events on the PGA Tour including the 2001 PGA Championship...
by one shot.
External links
- Tournament results from 1970 to 2002 at GolfObserver.com - Click-on a year for scores and earnings of the particular year.
- 2002 Tournament preview - at GolfToday.co.uk