National Airlines Open Invitational

CC of Miami is located in the United States
CC of Miami
CC of Miami
Location in the United States
Show map of the United States
CC of Miami is located in Florida
CC of Miami
CC of Miami
Location in Florida
Show map of 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]

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

Year Winner Score To par Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up Winner's
share ($)		 Ref.
1971 South Africa Gary Player 274 −14 2 strokes United States Lee Trevino 40,000 [3]
1970 United States Lee Trevino 274 −14 Playoff United States Bob Menne 40,000 [4]
1969 United States Bunky Henry 278 −10 1 stroke Australia Bruce Crampton
United States Bob Murphy
United States Dan Sikes
United States Dave Stockton		 40,000 [2]

References

  1. ^ "History of National Airlines Open". Retrieved 2007-11-18.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ a b "Henry gains Miami Victory". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (Florida). Associated Press. March 31, 1969. p. 20.
  3. ^ a b "Player - 4 strokes isn't safe". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (Florida). Associated Press. March 29, 1971. p. 1-C.
  4. ^ a b "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.

External links

  • Country Club of Miami
  • v
  • t
  • e
Former PGA Tour events
Current PGA Tour events

25°56′38″N 80°18′50″W / 25.944°N 80.314°W / 25.944; -80.314