Sahara Invitational
Encyclopedia
The Sahara Invitational was a PGA Tour
event that was played in Las Vegas, Nevada
from 1958 to 1976. From 1958 to 1961 it was called the Sahara Pro-Am and was not an official PGA Tour event. It was played at Paradise Valley Country Club from 1970–1972; and at Sahara Nevada Country Club from 1973–1976. It was sponsored by the Sahara Hotel.
Jack Nicklaus
won Sahara four times in a seven year span. Future PGA Tour major champions, Tony Lema
, Lanny Wadkins
, and John Mahaffey
, all made Sahara their first tour victory.
It was announced on November 4, 1976 that the Sahara Invitational was being cancelled. 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.
Sahara Pro-Am
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
event that was played in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
from 1958 to 1976. From 1958 to 1961 it was called the Sahara Pro-Am and was not an official PGA Tour event. It was played at Paradise Valley Country Club from 1970–1972; and at Sahara Nevada Country Club from 1973–1976. It was sponsored by the Sahara Hotel.
Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus
Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
won Sahara four times in a seven year span. Future PGA Tour major champions, Tony Lema
Tony Lema
Anthony David "Tony" Lema was an American professional golfer, who rose to fame in the beginning of golf's modern era, but had his young life and career cut short in an aircraft accident. His most prestigious victory was the 1964 British Open.-Biography:Lema was born in Oakland, California, to...
, Lanny Wadkins
Lanny Wadkins
Jerry Lanston "Lanny" Wadkins, Jr. is an American professional golfer. He ranked in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 86 weeks from their debut in 1986 to 1988....
, and John Mahaffey
John Mahaffey
John Drayton Mahaffey, Jr. is an American professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments including 10 PGA Tour events....
, all made Sahara their first tour victory.
It was announced on November 4, 1976 that the Sahara Invitational was being cancelled. 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.
Winners
Sahara Invitational- 1976 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...
- 1975 Dave HillDave Hill (golfer)James David Hill was an American professional golfer. He was the brother of golfer Mike Hill.Hill was born in Jackson, Michigan. He attended the University of Detroit, where he played on the golf team. Hill won 13 times on the PGA Tour, three of which came during his career year of 1969, when he...
- 1974 Al GeibergerAl GeibergerAllen Lee Geiberger, Sr. is an American professional golfer who has won numerous golf tournaments.Geiberger was born in Red Bluff, California...
- 1973 John MahaffeyJohn MahaffeyJohn Drayton Mahaffey, Jr. is an American professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments including 10 PGA Tour events....
- 1972 Lanny WadkinsLanny WadkinsJerry Lanston "Lanny" Wadkins, Jr. is an American professional golfer. He ranked in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 86 weeks from their debut in 1986 to 1988....
- 1971 Lee TrevinoLee TrevinoLee Buck Trevino is an American professional golfer. He is an icon for Mexican Americans, and is often referred to as "The Merry Mex" and "Supermex". He won six major championships over the course of his career.-Early life:...
- 1970 Babe HiskeyBabe HiskeyBryant "Babe" Hiskey is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.Hiskey was born in Burley, Idaho. He won the Idaho Amateur three times. He attended the University of Houston and was a member of the golf team...
- 1969 Jack NicklausJack NicklausJack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
- 1968 Chi Chi Rodriguez
- 1967 Jack NicklausJack NicklausJack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
- 1966 Jack NicklausJack NicklausJack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
- 1965 Billy CasperBilly CasperWilliam Earl Casper, Jr. is an American professional golfer who was one of the most prolific tournament winners on the PGA Tour from the mid 1950s to the mid 1970s.-Early years:...
- 1964 R. H. SikesR. H. SikesRichard H. Sikes is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s.A native of Paris, Arkansas, Sikes had a stellar amateur and college career as a member of the golf team at the University of Arkansas. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links in 1961 and 1962. In...
- 1963 Jack NicklausJack NicklausJack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
- 1962 Tony LemaTony LemaAnthony David "Tony" Lema was an American professional golfer, who rose to fame in the beginning of golf's modern era, but had his young life and career cut short in an aircraft accident. His most prestigious victory was the 1964 British Open.-Biography:Lema was born in Oakland, California, to...
Sahara Pro-Am
- 1961 Phil RodgersPhil RodgersPhil Rodgers is an American professional golfer.Rodgers was born in San Diego, California. He won the 1958 NCAA Division I Championship while playing at the University of Houston...
- 1960 Bob DudenBob DudenRobert W. Duden was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1950s and 1960s.A life-long resident of Portland, Oregon, Duden compiled a remarkable record in sectional golf competition...
- 1959 Doug SandersDoug SandersGeorge Douglas Sanders is a former American professional golfer who won twenty PGA Tour events during his career.-Early years:Sanders was born in Cedartown, Georgia. He grew up in a poor family, and picked cotton as a teenager...
- 1958 Billy JohnstonBilly JohnstonWilliam Gifford "Billy" Johnston was a former professional footballer, who played for Huddersfield Town, Stockport County, Manchester United, Macclesfield Town and Oldham Athletic.-References:...
Tournament highlights
- 1962: Tony Lema wins the inaugural Sahara. He finishes three shots ahead of Don JanuaryDon JanuaryDonald Ray January is an American professional golfer.January was born in Plainview, Texas, and graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas...
. - 1964: R. H. SikesR. H. SikesRichard H. Sikes is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s.A native of Paris, Arkansas, Sikes had a stellar amateur and college career as a member of the golf team at the University of Arkansas. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links in 1961 and 1962. In...
shoots a first round 62 on his way to a two shot triumph over defending champion Jack NicklausJack NicklausJack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
, Phil RodgersPhil RodgersPhil Rodgers is an American professional golfer.Rodgers was born in San Diego, California. He won the 1958 NCAA Division I Championship while playing at the University of Houston...
, and Jack McGowan. - 1967: Jack Nicklaus becomes the only Sahara champion to successfully defend his title. He wins by one shot over Steve SpraySteve SpraySteven Spray is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s.Spray was born in Des Moines, Iowa and reared in Indianola, Iowa. His first big win as an amateur came in the 1958 Iowa Junior Amateur; the next year he gained national fame by winning the Western...
. - 1968: Chi Chi Rodriguez shoots a final round 64 to come six shots back and force a sudden death playoff. He then birdies the first playoff hole to defeat Dale DouglassDale DouglassDale Dwight Douglass is an American professional golfer who has won tournaments at both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour level....
. - 1969: Jack Nicklaus shoots a final round 65 to earn both his 29th PGA Tour title and fourth Sahara victory. He finishes four shots ahead of Frank Beard.
- 1971: Lee TrevinoLee TrevinoLee Buck Trevino is an American professional golfer. He is an icon for Mexican Americans, and is often referred to as "The Merry Mex" and "Supermex". He won six major championships over the course of his career.-Early life:...
wins his 6th PGA Tour event of the year. He finishes one shot ahead of 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...
. - 1974: Al GeibergerAl GeibergerAllen Lee Geiberger, Sr. is an American professional golfer who has won numerous golf tournaments.Geiberger was born in Red Bluff, California...
wins for the first time on tour since his 1966 PGA Championship1966 PGA ChampionshipThe 1966 PGA Championship was the 48th PGA Championship played July 21–24 at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Al Geiberger won the championship.-Final leaderboard:-External links:* - at www.golfobserver.com...
triumph. He wins by three shots over Jerry HeardJerry HeardJerry M. Heard is an American professional golfer who won several PGA Tour events in the 1970s.Heard was born in Visalia, California. He became a professional golfer in 1968 and joined the PGA Tour in 1969. His first professional win came in the American Golf Classic at the Firestone Country Club...
, Wally ArmstrongWally ArmstrongWalter "Wally" Armstrong, III is a former American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour during the 1970s and 1980s.Armstrong was born in New London, Connecticut...
, Mike Hill, and Dave HillDave Hill (golfer)James David Hill was an American professional golfer. He was the brother of golfer Mike Hill.Hill was born in Jackson, Michigan. He attended the University of Detroit, where he played on the golf team. Hill won 13 times on the PGA Tour, three of which came during his career year of 1969, when he...
. - 1976: George Archer wins the last Sahara. He finishes three shots ahead of Dave Hill and Don January.