It’s been almost 25 years since the PGA Tour and LPGA merged for a mixed-team event. That will soon change in December with the Grant Thornton Invitational.
As the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship concludes Sunday at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla., there are fond memories for many of the game’s greats, who competed there in the 1990s during the JCPenney Classic that stretched back to 1978 reaches back. Mixed team events in between The two tours date back to 1960.
Here are just a few of the winners over the years, as well as a team that didn’t win but certainly grabbed a lot of headlines:
Kelli Kuehne and Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods and Kelli Kühne pictured at the 1996 JCPenney Classic
Although they didn’t win, the presence of Tiger Woods and Kelli Kuehne at the 1996 JCPenney Classic caused quite a stir. The Nike pros were third.
Nancy Lopez and Curtis Strange
JC Penney Classic, Nancy Lopez in action while driving at Bardmoor CC, Largo, FL, 12/3/1978 (Photo by Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Nancy Lopez found the winner’s circle with Curtis Strange in 1980 when the event was held at the Bardmoor Country Club in Largo, Florida.
Beth Daniel and Tom Kite
Beth Daniel and Tom Kite
Beth Daniel teamed with Tom Kite to win the 1981 JCPenney Classic. Daniel also won in 1990 and 1995 with Davis Love III.
Jan Stephenson and Fred Couples
Jan Stephenson in action during a tournament match circa 1979. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Jan Stephenson teamed with Fred Couples to win in 1983.
Meg Mallon and Steve Pate
Meg Mallon (right) and Steve Pate (left) show off trophies during the JCPenney Classic at the Westin Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport
Meg Mallon and Steve Pate triumphed in the 1998 edition.
Donna Andrews and Mike Hulbert
Donna Andrews and Mike Hulbert at the 1996 JCPenney Classic (PGA Tour Archives)
1996 JC Penney classic
PGA TOUR Archives
Donna Andrews and Mike Hulbert took the crystal home in 1996.
Pat Bradley and Bill Glasson
July 1993: Pat Bradley watches her shot during the 1993 US Womens Open at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana. Mandatory Credit: Gary Newkirk/Allsport
Pat Bradley won the event twice. First with Lon Hinkle in 1978 and then with Bill Glasson in 1989.
Laurie Rinker and Larry Rinker
Portrait of Laurie Rinker during the portrait session before the start of the Office Depot Championship on March 31, 2004 at the El Caballero Country Club in Tarzana, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images for LPGA)
Siblings Larry and Laurie Rinker, both Florida Gators, won in 1985.
Laura Davies and John Daly
December 4, 1998: Laura Davies (left) & John Daly chat during the JCPenney Classic at the Westin Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport
Bombers Laura Davies and John Daly won the last edition of this event in 1999.
JoAnne Carner and John Mahaffey
March 25, 1993: Joanne Carner watches the ball fly during the Nabisco Dinah Shore event at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
JoAnne Carner and John Mahaffey won together in 1982.
Billy Andrade and Kris Tschetter
March 26, 1999: Kris Tschetter in action during the Nabisco Dinah Shore Classic at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle /Allsport
Billy Andrade and Kris Tschetter won at Innisbrook in 1991.
Source : sports.yahoo.com