Milwaukee Open Invitational

The Milwaukee Open Invitational was a professional golf tournament in Wisconsin on the PGA Tour. It was played seven times from 1955 through 1961 at different courses in the Milwaukee area.

Milwaukee Open Invitational
Tournament information
LocationMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Established1955
Course(s)North Hills Country Club
Par70
Length6,410 yards (5,860 m)[1]
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundUS$30,000[2]
Month playedJuly
Final year1961
Tournament record score
Aggregate264 Cary Middlecoff (1958)
To par–16 as above
Final champion
Australia Bruce Crampton
Location Map
North Hills CC is located in the United States
North Hills CC
North Hills CC
Location in the United States
North Hills CC is located in Wisconsin
North Hills CC
North Hills CC
Location in Wisconsin

During its final year, Arnold Palmer skipped the tournament to prepare for the British Open,[3] which he won. The field at North Hills Country Club in Menomonee Falls did include 21-year-old Jack Nicklaus of Ohio State,[1] already a veteran of eight majors and the reigning NCAA champion, he won his second U.S. Amateur a month later.[4] The purse was $30,000 and Bruce Crampton won by a stroke; his winner's share was $4,300.[2] Nicklaus was three strokes back at 275 (−5), tied for sixth.

Two won the event twice, both at different courses: Cary Middlecoff (1955, 1958) and Ken Venturi (1957, 1960).

Miller Brewing Company was the title sponsor for the first five editions; the tournament was initiated in 1955 with a five-year agreement, part of the company's centennial celebration.[5][6]

Venues

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

Venue City Events Years Coordinates
Blue Mound Country ClubWauwatosa1195543.068°N 88.041°W / 43.068; -88.041
Tripoli Country ClubMilwaukee41956–195943.153°N 87.967°W / 43.153; -87.967
North Hills Country ClubMenomonee Falls21960–196143.151°N 88.077°W / 43.151; -88.077

Blue Mound hosted the PGA Championship in 1933. The PGA Tour returned in 1968 with the Greater Milwaukee Open, which was played for 42 years, through 2009; it was played twice at Tripoli (1971, 1972).

Winners
YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner(s)-up
Milwaukee Open Invitational
1961Australia Bruce Crampton272−81 strokeUnited States Gay Brewer
United States Bob Goalby
1960United States Ken Venturi (2)271−92 strokesUnited States Billy Casper
Miller Open Invitational
1959United States Gene Littler265−151 strokeUnited States Bob Rosburg
United States Bo Wininger
1958United States Cary Middlecoff (2)264−162 strokesUnited States Bob Rosburg
Miller High Life Open
1957United States Ken Venturi267−135 strokesCanada Al Balding
United States Sam Snead
1956United States Ed Furgol265−154 strokesUnited States Gene Littler
1955United States Cary Middlecoff265−154 strokesUnited States Julius Boros
United States Ted Kroll
United States Mike Souchak

See also

Other former PGA Tour events in Milwaukee

References
  1. "Massengale, Hawkins knotted". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. July 21, 1961. p. 2B.
  2. "Aussie wins Milwaukee with 272". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. (Florida). Associated Press. July 24, 1961. p. 9.
  3. "Palmer bypasses Milwaukee event". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. (Florida). Associated Press. July 19, 1961. p. 7.
  4. "Nicklaus-Nicklaus set to compete in Milwaukee Open". Ocala Star-Banner. (Florida). Associated Press. September 11, 1985. p. 4C.
  5. "Miller to quit Open golf meet". Milwaukee Sentinel. September 23, 1959. p. 2 part 2.
  6. "Miller Open golf tourney dropped by brewery". Milwaukee Journal. September 23, 1959. p. 17, part 2.

43.151°N 88.077°W / 43.151; -88.077

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