Greater Milwaukee Open

The Greater Milwaukee Open was a regular golf tournament in Wisconsin on the PGA Tour. For 42 years, it was played annually in the Milwaukee area, the final sixteen editions in the north suburb of Brown Deer at the Brown Deer Park Golf Course. U.S. Bancorp was the main sponsor of the tournament in its final years and the last purse in 2009 was $4 million, with a winner's share of $720,000. The event was run by Milwaukee Golf Charities, Inc., with proceeds going to a variety of Wisconsin charities.

For the LPGA Tour event, see Milwaukee Jaycee Open.
Greater Milwaukee Open
Tournament information
LocationBrown Deer, Wisconsin
Established1968
Course(s)Brown Deer Park Golf Course
(1994–2009)
Tuckaway Country Club
(1973–1993) in Franklin
Tripoli Country Club[1]
(1971–1972) in Milwaukee
North Shore Country Club
(1968–1970) in Mequon
Par70, in 2009
Length6,759 yards (6,180 m)
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund$4.0 million
Month playedJuly
Final year2009
Tournament record score
Aggregate260 Loren Roberts (2000)
260 Ben Crane (2005)
260 Corey Pavin (2006)
To par−24 Loren Roberts (2000)
Final champion
Bo Van Pelt
Brown
Deer
Location in the United States
Brown
Deer
Location in Wisconsin

The tournament debuted in 1968 as the Greater Milwaukee Open (or GMO),[2] competing against the British Open by offering a $200,000 purse (second highest on the Tour) with a $40,000 first prize. Lee Trevino, the recent U.S. Open winner, chose to play in the more lucrative GMO instead of the 1968 British Open.[3]

Art Wall Jr., the 1959 Masters champion, won in 1975 at age 51 for his first tour win in nine years,[4][5] his fourteenth and final win on the tour. Wall was one stroke ahead of 27-year-old runner-up Gary McCord, later a noted golf commentator, but winless in his career on the PGA Tour.

In 2004, U.S. Bank signed on as title sponsor. In July 2006, U.S. Bank and Milwaukee Golf Charities Inc. announced that U.S. Bank will remain the sponsor for at least three more years.[6]

The tournament was played at four courses in the Milwaukee area:

Venue City Events Years Coordinates
North Shore Country ClubMequon31968–197043.213°N 87.949°W / 43.213; -87.949
Tripoli Country Club [1]Milwaukee21971–197243.153°N 87.967°W / 43.153; -87.967
Tuckaway Country ClubFranklin211973–199342.899°N 88.002°W / 42.899; -88.002
Brown Deer Park Golf CourseBrown Deer161994–200943.155°N 87.953°W / 43.155; -87.953

It was nationally televised beginning in 1989, and Tiger Woods made his professional debut in 1996 at Brown Deer with a 67 on August 29,[7] four days after winning his third consecutive U.S. Amateur title in Oregon.[8] At age 20, he made the cut and tied for 60th place, earning a modest $2,544.[9][10]

The event ended when U.S. Bank announced that it would not renew its sponsorship after the 2009 event. Secondary sponsor Aurora Health Care also announced that it would substantially cut back on its financial involvement. Before U.S. Bank's sponsorship, the tournament survived thanks to the help of late philanthropist Jane Pettit. Its slot on the PGA Tour schedule against the British Open, along with low attendance and TV ratings, were reasons cited by U.S. Bank for pulling out of the event.[11] The Greater Milwaukee Charities organization has closed its offices and has shut down.

Winners
YearWinnerCountryScoreTo parMargin
of victory		Runner(s)-upWinner's
share ($)
U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee
2009Bo Van Pelt United States267−13Playoff John Mallinger720,000
2008Richard S. Johnson Sweden264−161 stroke Ken Duke720,000
2007Joe Ogilvie United States266−144 strokes Tim Clark
Tim Herron
Charlie Wi		720,000
2006Corey Pavin (2) United States260−202 strokes Jerry Kelly720,000
2005Ben Crane United States260−204 strokes Scott Verplank684,000
U.S. Bank in Milwaukee
2004Carlos Franco (2) Paraguay267−132 strokes Fred Funk
Brett Quigley		630,000
Greater Milwaukee Open
2003Kenny Perry United States268−121 stroke Stephen Allan
Heath Slocum		630,000
2002Jeff Sluman (2) United States261−234 strokes Tim Herron
Steve Lowery		558,000
2001Shigeki Maruyama Japan266−18Playoff Charles Howell III558,000
2000Loren Roberts (2) United States260−248 strokes Franklin Langham450,000
1999Carlos Franco Paraguay264−202 strokes Tom Lehman414,000
1998Jeff Sluman United States265−191 stroke Steve Stricker324,000
1997Scott Hoch (2) United States268−161 stroke Loren Roberts
David Sutherland		234,000
1996Loren Roberts United States265−19Playoff Jerry Kelly216,000
1995Scott Hoch United States269−153 strokes Marco Dawson180,000
1994Mike Springer United States268−161 stroke Loren Roberts180,000
1993Billy Mayfair United States270−18Playoff Mark Calcavecchia
Ted Schulz		180,000
1992Richard Zokol Canada269−192 strokes Dick Mast180,000
1991Mark Brooks United States270−181 stroke Robert Gamez180,000
1990Jim Gallagher, Jr. United States271−17Playoff Ed Dougherty
Billy Mayfair		162,000
1989Greg Norman Australia269−193 strokes Andy Bean144,000
1988Ken Green United States268−206 strokes Mark Calcavecchia
Jim Gallagher, Jr.
Donnie Hammond
Dan Pohl		126,000
1987Gary Hallberg United States269−192 strokes Wayne Levi
Robert Wrenn		108,000
1986Corey Pavin United States272−16Playoff Dave Barr72,000
1985Jim Thorpe United States274−143 strokes Jack Nicklaus54,000
1984Mark O'Meara United States272−165 strokes Tom Watson54,000
1983Morris Hatalsky United States275−13Playoff George Cadle45,000
1982Calvin Peete (2) United States274−142 strokes Victor Regalado45,000
1981Jay Haas United States274−143 strokes Chi-Chi Rodríguez45,000
1980Billy Kratzert United States266−224 strokes Howard Twitty36,000
1979Calvin Peete United States269−195 strokes Victor Regalado
Jim Simons
Lee Trevino		36,000
1978Lee Elder United States275−13Playoff Lee Trevino30,000
1977Dave Eichelberger (2) United States278−102 strokes Morris Hatalsky
Gary McCord
Mike Morley		26,000
1976Dave Hill United States270−183 strokes John Jacobs26,000
1975Art Wall Jr. United States271−171 stroke Gary McCord26,000
1974Ed Sneed United States276−124 strokes Grier Jones26,000
1973Dave Stockton (2) United States276−121 stroke Homero Blancas
Hubert Green		26,000
1972Jim Colbert United States271−131 stroke Buddy Allin
Chuck Courtney
George Johnson
Grier Jones		25,000
1971Dave Eichelberger United States270−141 stroke Ralph Johnston
Bob Shaw		25,000
1970Deane Beman United States276−123 strokes Richard Crawford
Ted Hayes, Jr.
Don Massengale		22,000
1969Ken Still United States277−112 strokes Gary Player20,000
1968Dave Stockton United States275−134 strokes Sam Snead40,000

Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.

Tournament highlights
  • 1968: Dave Stockton wins the first Greater Milwaukee Open despite twice striking spectators with his drives in the final round. He beats Sam Snead by four shots.[12]
  • 1969: Ken Still shoots a final round 65 to beat Gary Player by two strokes. The win all but clinches Still a spot on the Ryder Cup team.[13]
  • 1970: Deane Beman makes the most of his withdrawal from the Open Championship to play in Milwaukee instead. He beats Don Massengale, Ted Hayes, and Dick Crawford by three shots.[14]
  • 1974: Ed Sneed is the tournament's first wire-to-wire winner. He beats Grier Jones by 4 shots.[15]
  • 1975: 51-year-old Art Wall, Jr. beats Gary McCord by one shot.[16]
  • 1978: Lee Elder defeats Lee Trevino on the 8th hole of a sudden death playoff.[17]
  • 1979: Black golfer Calvin Peete, who did not take up golf until he was 23 years old, wins for the first time on the PGA Tour. He shoots a final round 65 to beat Jim Simons, Lee Trevino, and Victor Regalado by five shots.[18]
  • 1982: Calvin Peete wins at Milwaukee and on the PGA Tour for the second time and in almost carbon copy fashion from his 1979 win. He finishes two strokes ahead of Victor Regalado who was also runner-up in 1979.[19]
  • 1985: Jack Nicklaus competes in Milwaukee for the first time as a professional.[20] He finishes second, three strokes behind winner Jim Thorpe.[21]
  • 1986: Corey Pavin wins in Milwaukee for the first time. He birdies the 4th hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Dave Barr.[22]
  • 1989: Greg Norman competes in Milwaukee for the first time. He beats Andy Bean by 3 shots.[23]
  • 1993: Billy Mayfair holes a 20-foot chip shot on the fourth hole of a three-way sudden death playoff to defeat Mark Calcavecchia and earn his first PGA Tour title. Ted Schulz had dropped out on the first playoff hole after making bogey.[24]
  • 1997: Loren Roberts attempt to become the first Greater Milwaukee Open champion to defend his title is foiled when Scott Hoch sinks a 60-foot chip shot for eagle on the 72nd hole to beat Roberts and David Sutherland by one shot.[25]
  • 1999: Carlos Franco wins for the second time in his rookie season on the PGA Tour. He beats Tom Lehman by two shots.[26]
  • 2003: Kenny Perry birdies the 72nd hole to win by one shot over Stephen Allan and Heath Slocum.[27]
  • 2006: Corey Pavin sets a 9-hole PGA Tour scoring record, 26, on his way to a first round 61.[28] Pavin, who had first won in Milwaukee in 1986, goes on to win the tournament for a second time, beating Jerry Kelly by two shots.[29]
  • 2009: Bo Van Pelt wins the final edition of the tournament. He defeats John Mallinger on the second hole of a sudden death playoff.[30]

Multiple winners

Eight men won the GMO more than once, but none more than twice.

See also

References
  1. "Tripoli layout". Milwaukee Sentinel. July 13, 1972. p. 4, part 2.
  2. D'Amato, Gary (July 15, 2007). "Thrilling ride remembered". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 5C.
  3. "Weiskopf and Trevino near money lead". The Dispatch. Lexington, North Carolina. UPI. July 10, 1968. p. 12.
  4. "Art Wall a winner at Milwaukee". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. (Florida). Associated Press. July 7, 1975. p. 1C.
  5. "I don't think 51 is old - golfer Art Wall". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (Florida). Associated Press. July 7, 1975. p. 4C.
  6. U.S. Bank will remain title sponsor for three more years
  7. Stapleton, Arnie (August 30, 1996). "Woods shoots a 67 in first pro round". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. p. 1D.
  8. Sirak, Ron (August 26, 1996). "Tiger stakes his claim to golf history". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. p. 2B.
  9. Manoyan, Dan (September 2, 1996). "One shot is all Roberts needs". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 1C.
  10. "Roberts takes playoff to win in Milwaukee". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). news services. September 2, 1996. p. 2B.
  11. U.S. Bank pulls its support as golf tournament's title sponsor
  12. Ricochet Golf Wins For Dave Stockton
  13. Non-winner Ken Still wins at Milwaukee
  14. Deane Beman Wins At Milwaukee Open
  15. Ed Sneed Wins At Milwaukee Open
  16. 51-Year-Old Art Wall Wins Milwaukee Open
  17. Elder beats Trevino in playoff to win Milwaukee Open
  18. Calvin Peete breezes to Milwaukee Open victory
  19. Calvin Peete victor at Milwaukee Open
  20. Nicklaus-Nicklaus Set To Compete In Milwaukee Open
  21. Thorpe bests Nicklaus
  22. Pavin defeats Barr on 4th playoff hole
  23. Norman claims Milwaukee title, with late spurt
  24. Mayfair avoids Milwaukee Slip Up
  25. Hoch wins Milwaukee
  26. Franco wins 2nd tournament in 9 weeks
  27. Perry wins Greater Milwaukee Open
  28. Pavin Shoots 26 to Set PGA Tour’s 9-Hole Mark
  29. Pavin ends 10-year title drought in Milwaukee
  30. Bo Van Pelt wins PGA Milwaukee title playoff

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