National Airlines Open Invitational

Last updated
National Airlines Open Invitational
Tournament information
Location Hialeah, Florida
Established1969
Course(s)Country Club of Miami
(West Course)
Par72
Length6,970 yards (6,370 m)
Tour(s) PGA Tour
Format Stroke play
Prize fund US$200,000
Month playedMarch
Final year1971
Tournament record score
Aggregate274 Bob Menne (1970)
274 Lee Trevino (1970)
274 Gary Player (1971)
To par−14 as above
Final champion
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player
Location map
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Icona golf.svg
CC of Miami
Location in the United States
USA Florida relief location map.jpg
Icona golf.svg
CC of Miami
Location in Florida

The National Airlines Open Invitational was a professional golf tournament in south Florida on the PGA Tour. It was held in late March in Hialeah at the West Course of the Country Club of Miami in 1969, 1970, and 1971 [1] At the time, it was among the richest events on tour, with a $200,000 purse and a $40,000 winner's share. [2]

Contents

Gary Player was the final champion in 1971, two strokes ahead of defending champion Lee Trevino, [3] who won the previous year in a playoff over Bob Menne. [4] Player's win was his 75th worldwide.

In 1972, it was replaced on the schedule by the Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic in Lauderhill, initially a month earlier in late February. Miami-based National Airlines co-sponsored its second edition in 1973, also won by Trevino, [5] but not after. That tournament ended its affiliation with Gleason after 1980 and continues today as The Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens.

The other PGA Tour event in the Miami area was the Doral Open, which began in 1962 and was usually played in early March. It was sponsored by competing carrier Eastern Air Lines, also Miami-based, from 1970 through 1986.

Winners

YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner(s)-upWinner's
share ($)		Ref.
1971 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Gary Player 274−142 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino 40,000 [3]
1970 Flag of the United States.svg Lee Trevino 274−14Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Bob Menne 40,000 [4]
1969 Flag of the United States.svg Bunky Henry 278−101 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bruce Crampton
Flag of the United States.svg Bob Murphy
Flag of the United States.svg Dan Sikes
Flag of the United States.svg Dave Stockton 		40,000 [2]

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References

  1. ↑ "History of National Airlines Open" . Retrieved 2007-11-18.[ permanent dead link ]
  2. 1 2 "Henry gains Miami Victory". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (Florida). Associated Press. March 31, 1969. p. 20.
  3. 1 2 "Player - 4 strokes isn't safe". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (Florida). Associated Press. March 29, 1971. p. 1-C.
  4. 1 2 "No jokes in playoff; Trevino tips Menne". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. March 30, 1970. p. 11.
  5. ↑ "Trevino benefits as foe hits snag". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. February 26, 1973. p. 14.

25°56′38″N80°18′50″W / 25.944°N 80.314°W / 25.944; -80.314

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