The Southwest Golf Classic was a PGA Tour event played at Fairway Oaks Golf & Racquet Club in Abilene, Texas, from 1981 to 1988 (the facility was later renamed Fairway Oaks Country Club and is now a part of Abilene Country Club).
The event had been known as the LaJet Classic when it began in 1981 and again in 1982. In 1983, the event was known as the LaJet Coors Classic and in 1984 it was known as the LaJet Golf Classic. From 1985 to 1987 it was known as the Southwest Golf Classic. In 1988, the tournament event was hosted by Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, and was known as the Gatlin Brothers-Southwest Golf Classic.
In 1989, the event became a Senior PGA Tour event, and was renamed the Gatlin Brothers Southwest Senior Classic.
Tournament highlights 1981: Tom Weiskopf wins the inaugural version of the tournament. He finishes two shots ahead of Gil Morgan.Weiskopf regains luck 1982: Wayne Levi shoots a first round 64 on his way to a wire to wire victory by six shots over Thomas Gray.Victory lies in Levi genes Raymond Floyd, who was engaged in a tight battle with Craig Stadler for that year's leading spot on the money list, left Abilene after shooting 146 for the first 36 holes thinking he would miss the cut. By the time Floyd learned he had not missed the cut, he had already returned to his home in Florida. Unable to make airline connections to meet his Saturday tee time, Floyd was forced to withdraw.Floyd leaves town; he should've stayed 1986: Future 13-time winner and 1989 Open Champion Mark Calcavecchia notches his first PGA Tour title. He finishes three shots ahead of Tom Byrum.Former Gator golfer Mark Calcavecchia wins Southwest 1988: Tom Purtzer wins the last version of the tournament. He shoots a final round 64 before defeating Mark Brooks on the first hole of a sudden death playoff.Purtzer wins Southwest title
Winners YearWinnerScoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-upGatlin Brothers-Southwest Golf Classic 1988 Tom Purtzer 269 −19 Playoff Mark BrooksSouthwest Golf Classic 1987 Steve Pate 273 −15 1 stroke Bob Eastwood David Edwards Dan Halldorson Mark O'Meara 1986 Mark Calcavecchia 275 −13 3 strokes Tom Byrum 1985 Hal Sutton 273 −15 Playoff Mike ReidLaJet Golf Classic 1984 Curtis Strange 273 −15 2 strokes Mark O'MearaLaJet Coors Classic 1983 Rex Caldwell 282 −6 1 stroke Lee TrevinoLaJet Classic 1982 Wayne Levi 271 −17 6 strokes Thomas Gray 1981 Tom Weiskopf 278 −10 2 strokes Gil Morgan
References
External links Tournament results (1981-1988) at GolfObserver.com