The Chicago Open was a golf tournament played in the Chicago area. A Chicago District Open was first held in 1914. From 1926 to 1928 it became a national event. It was held again from 1937 to 1941, although there was no event in 1939. The Hale America National Open Golf Tournament was held in Chicago in 1942 and the Chicago Victory Open was played from 1943 to 1948. It was revived again as the Gleneagles-Chicago Open Invitational in 1958 and 1959.
History The 1937 event was played at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, from July 23 to 25 and was won by Gene Sarazen with a score of 290. Two courses, numbers 1 and 2, were used for the opening two rounds with the final 36 holes played on the number 3 course.
The 1938 event was played at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, from July 22 to 24 and was won by Sam Snead with a score of 207, a stroke ahead of Ralph Guldahl. Two courses, numbers 1 and 4, were used for the opening two rounds. Heavy rain affected play on the opening day and the scores were canceled, reducing the event to 54 holes with a cut after 18 holes. The final 36 holes were played on the number 4 course.
The 1940 event was played at Tam O'Shanter Country Club in Niles, Illinois, from July 19 to 21 and was won by Dick Metz with a score of 278. Amateur Jim Ferrier led after the first round with a 66, while Johnny Revolta led after two rounds on 136. Revolta had round 74 and 69 on the final day while Metz scored 69 and 70. Ben Hogan had a final round 66 to tie Revolta for second place.
The 1941 events was played at Elmhurst Country Club in Addison, Illinois, from July 18 to 20. Ben Hogan led by three strokes form Dick Metz at the half-way stage after rounds of 66 and 70. Hogan scored two rounds of 69 on the final day and won by two strokes from Craig Wood, who had two rounds of 67. Metz finished in third place.
The event was revived as Gleneagles-Chicago Open Invitational after the World Championship of Golf was canceled. It was played at Gleneagles Country Club in Lemont, Illinois, in 1958 and 1959. The top prize money was $9,000. Ken Venturi won both events.
Winners YearTourWinnerScoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-upWinner'sshare ($)Ref.LaSalle Bank Chicago Open 2001 Don Berry 2000 Luke Donald (a) 205 −8 6 strokes 1999 Bob Ackerman 1998 Scott Hebert 1960–1997: No tournamentGleneagles-Chicago Open Invitational 1959 PGAT Ken Venturi (2) 273 −7 1 stroke Johnny Pott 9,000 1958 PGAT Ken Venturi 272 −8 1 stroke Julius Boros Jack Burke Jr. 9,000 1949–1957: No tournamentChicago Victory National Open 1948 PGAT Bobby Locke 266 −18 16 strokes Ellsworth Vines 2,000 1947 PGAT Ben Hogan (2) 270 −14 4 strokes Sam Snead 2,000 1946 PGAT Byron Nelson (2) 279 −5 2 strokes Jug McSpaden 2,000 1945 PGAT Byron Nelson 275 −13 7 strokes Ky Laffoon Jug McSpaden 2,000 1944 PGAT Jug McSpaden 273 −11 Playoff Ben Hogan 3,000 1943 PGAT Sam Byrd 277 −7 5 strokes Craig Wood 1,000 1942: No tournamentChicago Open 1941 PGAT Ben Hogan 274 −10 2 strokes Craig Wood 1,200 1940 PGAT Dick Metz 278 −10 1 stroke Ben Hogan Johnny Revolta 1,500 1939: No tournament 1938 PGAT Sam Snead 207 −3 1 stroke Ralph Guldahl 1,500 1937 PGAT Gene Sarazen 290 +7 1 stroke Harry Cooper Ky Laffoon Horton Smith 3,000 1929–1936: No tournamentChicago Open Championship 1928 PGAT Abe Espinosa 283 −5 1 stroke Frank Walsh 500 1927 PGAT Johnny Farrell 285 +1 2 strokes Al Espinosa 1,000 1926 PGAT Macdonald Smith 277 −3 1 stroke Eddie Loos 1,000
A Chicago District Open Championship was held in some years between 1914 and 1925. Winners include: 1925 Al Espinosa 1915 unknown 1914 Robert Gardner (a)
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