Buick Open
Encyclopedia
The Buick Open was a PGA Tour
golf
tournament from 1958 to 2009. In 2007, the tournament was held at the end of June, a change from its traditional spot between The Open Championship
and the PGA Championship
. Regardless, many prominent players used it as a "tune-up" for the subsequent major.
For the event's first decade, it was played at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club
in Grand Blanc, Michigan
. After 1969, professional golf events in the area fell off the PGA Tour schedule and a series of pro-ams and other similarly unofficial events took place, mostly at Flint Golf Club in Flint, Michigan
. The Buick Open made its return to the PGA Tour in 1977 at the Flint Elks Club, and in 1978 the event returned to Warwick Hills G&CC, where it remained until its demise.
The 17th hole at Warwick, a par 3, was known for having one of the rowdiest galleries in professional golf. Fans often created chants directed at particular golfers, making it a fun place to watch the tournament. The famed 17th hole was also known by locals as the second largest outdoor cocktail party in the world (presumably deferring to the annual Florida–Georgia college football game as the largest). Players at the tournament loved the hole because of the atmosphere it creates. "This is a great tournament to play in, it's a beer drinkers tournament," said John Daly
.
In its final years, the tournament was dominated by long hitters. Tiger Woods
, Vijay Singh
, Brian Bateman
, and Kenny Perry
combined for seven wins in its final eight years. Several other players ranked highly in driving distance finished second during that span, including Woods, Jason Gore
, Geoff Ogilvy
, Bubba Watson
, and John Daly.
The Associated Press reported July 28, 2009 that General Motors
would end its sponsorship of the Buick Open after the 2009 tournament, in order to devote its marketing resources to cars and trucks. The PGA Tour replaced the tournament with the Greenbrier Classic
at The Greenbrier
in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
.
Buick-Goodwrench Open
Buick Open
Flint Elks Open
Lake Michigan Classic
Vern Parsell Buick Open
Buick Open Invitational
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
golf
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 from 1958 to 2009. In 2007, the tournament was held at the end of June, a change from its traditional spot between The Open Championship
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
and the PGA Championship
PGA Championship
The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship...
. Regardless, many prominent players used it as a "tune-up" for the subsequent major.
For the event's first decade, it was played at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club
Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club
Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club is a private country club located on South Saginaw Road in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, a suburb of Flint, Michigan, United States. From 1958 to 2009, Warwick Hills was home to the PGA Tour's Buick Open tournament. The course was opened in June 1957...
in Grand Blanc, Michigan
Grand Blanc, Michigan
Grand Blanc is a city in Genesee County in the U.S. state of Michigan and a suburb of Flint. The population was 8,242 at the 2000 census. The city is situated within Grand Blanc Charter Township, but is politically independent...
. After 1969, professional golf events in the area fell off the PGA Tour schedule and a series of pro-ams and other similarly unofficial events took place, mostly at Flint Golf Club in Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan
Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
. The Buick Open made its return to the PGA Tour in 1977 at the Flint Elks Club, and in 1978 the event returned to Warwick Hills G&CC, where it remained until its demise.
The 17th hole at Warwick, a par 3, was known for having one of the rowdiest galleries in professional golf. Fans often created chants directed at particular golfers, making it a fun place to watch the tournament. The famed 17th hole was also known by locals as the second largest outdoor cocktail party in the world (presumably deferring to the annual Florida–Georgia college football game as the largest). Players at the tournament loved the hole because of the atmosphere it creates. "This is a great tournament to play in, it's a beer drinkers tournament," said John Daly
John Daly (golfer)
John Patrick Daly is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour.Daly is known primarily for his driving distance off the tee , his non-country club appearance and attitude, and his rough-and-tumble personal life. Daly remains one of the most popular and intriguing figures on the PGA Tour...
.
In its final years, the tournament was dominated by long hitters. Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
, Vijay Singh
Vijay Singh
Vijay Singh, CF , nicknamed "The Big Fijian", is a Fijian professional golfer who was Number 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings for 32 weeks in 2004 and 2005. He has won three major championships and was the leading PGA Tour money winner in 2003, 2004 and 2008...
, Brian Bateman
Brian Bateman
Brian Bateman is an American professional golfer, who currently plays on the PGA Tour.Bateman was born in Monroe, Louisiana. He played collegiately at Louisiana State University where he graduated in 1996 with a degree in marketing...
, and Kenny Perry
Kenny Perry
James Kenneth Perry is an American professional golfer who currently plays on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, for which he became eligible following his 50th birthday.-Early years:...
combined for seven wins in its final eight years. Several other players ranked highly in driving distance finished second during that span, including Woods, Jason Gore
Jason Gore
Jason William Gore is an American professional golfer.Gore was born in Van Nuys, California. He first attended the University of Arizona before transferring to Pepperdine University. While at Pepperdine, he was part of their NCAA Division I Championship team in 1997. He also played on the...
, Geoff Ogilvy
Geoff Ogilvy
Geoff Charles Ogilvy is an Australian professional golfer. He won the 2006 U.S. Open and has also won three World Golf Championships.-Professional career:...
, Bubba Watson
Bubba Watson
Gerry "Bubba" Watson is an American professional golfer. Watson is one of the few left-handed golfers on tour and is known for his tremendous length. The longest driver on the PGA Tour, in 2007 he had an average drive of 315.2 yards and is capable of generating a ball speed of 194 mph, being...
, and John Daly.
The Associated Press reported July 28, 2009 that General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
would end its sponsorship of the Buick Open after the 2009 tournament, in order to devote its marketing resources to cars and trucks. The PGA Tour replaced the tournament with the Greenbrier Classic
Greenbrier Classic
The Greenbrier Classic is a PGA Tour golf tournament that was played for the first time in 2010 at The Old White TPC at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia...
at The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier is a Forbes four-star and AAA Five Diamond Award winning luxury resort located just outside the town of White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States....
in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
White Sulphur Springs is a city in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,444 at the 2010 census.-Geography:White Sulphur Springs is located at ....
.
Winners
Buick Open- 2009 Tiger WoodsTiger WoodsEldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
- 2008 Kenny PerryKenny PerryJames Kenneth Perry is an American professional golfer who currently plays on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, for which he became eligible following his 50th birthday.-Early years:...
- 2007 Brian BatemanBrian BatemanBrian Bateman is an American professional golfer, who currently plays on the PGA Tour.Bateman was born in Monroe, Louisiana. He played collegiately at Louisiana State University where he graduated in 1996 with a degree in marketing...
- 2006 Tiger WoodsTiger WoodsEldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
- 2005 Vijay SinghVijay SinghVijay Singh, CF , nicknamed "The Big Fijian", is a Fijian professional golfer who was Number 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings for 32 weeks in 2004 and 2005. He has won three major championships and was the leading PGA Tour money winner in 2003, 2004 and 2008...
- 2004 Vijay SinghVijay SinghVijay Singh, CF , nicknamed "The Big Fijian", is a Fijian professional golfer who was Number 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings for 32 weeks in 2004 and 2005. He has won three major championships and was the leading PGA Tour money winner in 2003, 2004 and 2008...
- 2003 Jim FurykJim FurykJames Michael Furyk is an American professional golfer, 2010 FedEx Cup champion, and 2010 PGA Tour Player of the Year. He has won one major championship, the 2003 U.S. Open. Furyk is known for consistently playing at the top level and for a visibly unconventional, looping golf swing...
- 2002 Tiger WoodsTiger WoodsEldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
- 2001 Kenny PerryKenny PerryJames Kenneth Perry is an American professional golfer who currently plays on both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour, for which he became eligible following his 50th birthday.-Early years:...
- 2000 Rocco MediateRocco MediateRocco Anthony Mediate is an American professional golfer with multiple PGA Tour wins.-Early years:Mediate was born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. According to the Golf Channel, he is the son of a barber and has Italian ancestral heritage. Mediate attended Florida Southern...
- 1999 Tom Pernice, Jr.
- 1998 Billy MayfairBilly MayfairWilliam Fred Mayfair is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour .-Early years and amateur career:Mayfair was born in Phoenix, Arizona. Before his fifteenth birthday, he had won a number of junior golf tournaments. In 1981, he was on the cover of Boys' Life magazine as "golf's...
- 1997 Vijay SinghVijay SinghVijay Singh, CF , nicknamed "The Big Fijian", is a Fijian professional golfer who was Number 1 in the Official World Golf Rankings for 32 weeks in 2004 and 2005. He has won three major championships and was the leading PGA Tour money winner in 2003, 2004 and 2008...
- 1996 Justin LeonardJustin LeonardJustin Charles Garrett Leonard is an American professional golfer.Leonard was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He attended Lake Highlands High School and graduated in 1990. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and was the individual NCAA champion in 1994. He was a two-time All-American...
- 1995 Woody AustinWoody AustinAlbert Woody Austin II is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.Austin was born in Tampa, Florida. He attended the University of Miami, where he was a member of the golf team coached by Norman C. Parsons Jr...
- 1994 Fred CouplesFred CouplesFrederick Steven Couples is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. A former World No. 1, he has won numerous events, most notably the 1992 Masters Tournament. In August 2011 he won his maiden senior major at the Senior Players Championship...
- 1993 Larry MizeLarry MizeLawrence Hogan "Larry" Mize is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour...
- 1992 Dan ForsmanDan ForsmanDaniel Bruce Forsman is an American professional golfer.-Early years:Forsman was born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He grew up in northern California, where he learned to play golf at Los Altos Golf and Country Club. He attended Arizona State University.-Professional career:Forsman turned...
- 1991 Brad FaxonBrad FaxonBradford John Faxon, Jr. is an American professional golfer. He has won eight times on the PGA Tour.-Early years and amateur career:Faxon was born in Oceanport, New Jersey and raised in Barrington, Rhode Island...
- 1990 Chip Beck
- 1989 Leonard ThompsonLeonard Thompson (golfer)Leonard Stephen Thompson is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour....
- 1988 Scott VerplankScott VerplankScott Rachal Verplank is an American professional golfer.Verplank was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He was a leading member of the W.T. White High School Golf Team and a regular at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas...
- 1987 Robert WrennRobert Wrenn (golfer)Robert Brenaman Wrenn, Jr. is an American sportscaster and golf course design consultant; he is a former professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.Wrenn was born in Richmond, Virginia...
- 1986 Ben CrenshawBen CrenshawBen Daniel Crenshaw is an American professional golfer.Crenshaw was born in Austin, Texas. He attended and played golf at Austin High School and the University of Texas, where he won three NCAA Championships from 1971 to 1973...
- 1985 Ken Green
- 1984 Denis WatsonDenis WatsonDenis Leslie Watson is a professional golfer from Zimbabwe.Watson was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia and educated at Oriel Boys High School, Chisipite...
- 1983 Wayne LeviWayne LeviWayne John Levi is an American golfer.Levi was born in Little Falls, New York and attended high school in Herkimer, New York. He enrolled at Oswego State University for two years and then the University of South Florida briefly, before turning professional in 1973.Levi went on to win 12 times on...
- 1982 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....
- 1981 Hale IrwinHale IrwinHale S. Irwin is an American professional golfer. He is one of the few players in history to have won three U.S. Opens and was one of the world's leading golfers for much of the 1970s and 1980s. He has also developed a career as a golf course architect.Irwin was born in Joplin, Missouri, but was...
Buick-Goodwrench Open
- 1980 Peter JacobsenPeter JacobsenPeter Erling Jacobsen is an American professional golfer, who has played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. He has won seven events on the PGA Tour and two events on the Champions Tour, both majors.-Early years:...
- 1979 John FoughtJohn FoughtJohn Fought III is an American golf course architect and professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour....
- 1978 Jack NewtonJack NewtonJack Newton OAM is a former Australian professional golfer.-Golf career:Newton was born in Cessnock, New South Wales. He was one of Australia's most successful golfers in the 1970s and early 1980s. He turned professional in 1971 and won his first professional tournament – the Dutch Open...
Buick Open
- 1977 Bobby Cole
Flint Elks Open
- 1976 Ed Sabo (not PGA Tour event)
- 1975 Spike Kelley (not PGA Tour event)
- 1974 Bryan Abbott (not PGA Tour event)
Lake Michigan Classic
- 1973 Wilf HomenuikWilf HomenuikWilfred Homenuik is a Canadian professional golfer. His surname is also spelled Homeniuk in many records.Homenuik was born in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, and is one of seven brothers, many of whom have also played golf, most notably Stan and Ted...
(not PGA Tour event)
Vern Parsell Buick Open
- 1972 Gary GrohGary GrohGary Groh is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1970s.Groh was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Michigan State University and turned pro in 1968....
(not PGA Tour event) - 1970–1971 No tournament
Buick Open Invitational
- 1969 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...
- 1968 Tom WeiskopfTom WeiskopfThomas Daniel Weiskopf is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. His most successful decade was the 1970s, and he won 16 PGA Tour titles between 1968 and 1982. After winding down his tournament career, Weiskopf has become a noted golf course...
- 1967 Julius BorosJulius BorosJulius Nicholas Boros was a Hungarian-American professional golfer.-Early years:Boros was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut...
- 1966 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...
- 1965 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...
- 1964 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...
- 1963 Julius BorosJulius BorosJulius Nicholas Boros was a Hungarian-American professional golfer.-Early years:Boros was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut...
- 1962 Bill CollinsBill Collins (golfer)William R. Collins was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1950s and 1960s and the Senior PGA Tour in the 1980s....
- 1961 Jack Burke, Jr.
- 1960 Mike SouchakMike SouchakMichael Souchak was an American professional golfer who won 15 times on the PGA Tour in the 1950s and 1960s, and played for the 1959 and 1961 Ryder Cup teams.-Early years, college:...
- 1959 Art Wall
- 1958 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:...