ARIZONA NEWS

History of the Tucson Open

By Ryan Finley,
Contributor

A mainstay in the Old Pueblo since 1946, the Tucson Open has been known by many names---the tournament has been known as the Touchstone Energy Tucson Open since 1999. Touchstone Energy is, according to its own sources, “a national alliances of local, cooperatively-owned utilities,” which has holdings in more than 38 states.

• TGM Quick Look: All About Tucson • Preview: Touchstone Energy Tucson Open • GolfArizona.com coverage of the PGA Tour • Past articles by Ryan Finley

With a three-million dollar purse and a guaranteed TV crowd of more than 850 million people, the tournament is a far cry from the original face-offs that originated in the face of World War II.

And by the time the more than 130,000 fans pile into the Omni Tucson National Golf Club and Spa, the ghosts of the nearly 54 years of Tucson golfing will live again, a testament to the deep and often unappreciated history of the Touchstone Energy Tucson Open.

The inaugural Tucson Open was won by Ray Mangrum in 1946. Following his victory, Jimmy Demaret in both 1947 and ’48. It would be 22 years until another golfer would win back-to-back tournaments, as golfing legend Lee Trevino took the gold hat in both 1969 and 1970. Johnny Miller holds the record for most Tucson Open victories with four wins, winning the tournament in 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1981. There was no tournament in 1954 and 1989.

One of the most memorable tournament wins came from amateur Robert Gamez, who took the tournament in 1990. The Tucson native was an University of Arizona graduate who came from behind to win the tournament in the tie-breaking holes.

Gabriel Hjertstedt

Throughout history, the Tucson Open has been a tournament where champions were made and titles defended.

Hjerstedt will try to make that a possibility this weekend.