Sahara Invitational
The Sahara Invitational was a PGA Tour event in Nevada from 1958 through 1976, played 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.
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
| Established | 1958, 1962 |
| Course(s) | Sahara Nevada Country Club (1972–76) |
| Par | 71 |
| Length | 6,800 yards (6,220 m)[1] |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Format | Stroke play – 72 holes |
| Prize fund | $150,000 (1976) |
| Month played | September – October |
| Final year | 1976 |
| Final champion | |
 George Archer | |
Jack Nicklaus won Sahara four times in a seven-year span in the 1960s, and three future major champions (Tony Lema,[2] Lanny Wadkins, and John Mahaffey) made Sahara their first tour victory.
A month after the 1976 event,[1] it was announced in early November that the Sahara Invitational was being discontinued. Edward M. Nigro, vice president and general manager of Hotel Sahara, cited rising costs, scheduling conflicts, and a decline in the national promotion benefit as the reasons for the tournament's cancellation.[3]
The Las Vegas Founders returned the PGA Tour to Las Vegas in 1983 with the Panasonic Las Vegas Pro Celebrity Classic; since 2007, it has been organized by the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Winners
Sahara Invitational
| Year | Winner | Country | Score | To par | Winner's share ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | George Archer | United States | 271 | −13 | 27,000 |
| 1975 | Dave Hill | United States | 270 | −14 | 27,000 |
| 1974 | Al Geiberger | United States | 273 | −11 | 27,000 |
| 1973 | John Mahaffey | United States | 271 | −13 | 27,000 |
| 1972 | Lanny Wadkins | United States | 273 | −11 | 27,000 |
| 1971 | Lee Trevino | United States | 280 | −8 | 27,000 |
| 1970 | Babe Hiskey | United States | 276 | −12 | 20,000 |
| 1969 | Jack Nicklaus (4) | United States | 272 | −12 | 20,000 |
| 1968 | Chi-Chi Rodríguez |  Puerto Rico | 274 | −10 | 20,000 |
| 1967 | Jack Nicklaus | United States | 270 | −14 | 20,000 |
| 1966 | Jack Nicklaus | United States | 282 | −2 | 20,000 |
| 1965 | Billy Casper | United States | 269 | −15 | 20,000 |
| 1964 | R. H. Sikes | United States | 275 | −9 | 12,000 |
| 1963 | Jack Nicklaus | United States | 276 | −8 | 13,000 |
| 1962 | Tony Lema | United States | 270 | −14 | 2,800 |
Sahara Pro-Am
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1961 | Phil Rodgers |
| 1960 | Bob Duden |
| 1959 | Doug Sanders |
| 1958 | Bill Johnston |
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]
References
- "Sahara victory surprises Archer". The Day. New London, Connecticut). Associated Press. October 4, 1976. p. 29.
- "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