Interesting Facts about the
PGA TOUR’s Buick Challenge at Callaway Gardens

In 1999, Justin Leonard clinched the Ryder Cup for the Americans
with a spectacular put on the 17th. Though typically most players
would take a week off after such a physically and mentally
grueling tournament, Davis Love III, Jeff Maggert and U. S. team
captain Ben Crenshaw all made a point to participate in the Buick
Challenge as well as Justin Leonard.

Of all the memorabilia from the Buick Challenge, the most sought
after item was the “Hush Y’all” signs used by the crowd
assistance volunteers.

During Friday of the Buick Challenge tournament, thousands (5,000
in 2001) of young graduates fresh from Ft. Benning’s Basic
Training would get their first taste of junk food and life
outside of the Army during Military Appreciation Day. Some
years, the commander would declare the day a “training holiday”
so that soldiers could attend.

The first Fred Haskins Award was presented at Callaway Gardens in
1970 to Ben Crenshaw. Crenshaw was at Callaway Gardens to
compete in the All-Dixie Intercollegiate Tournament for the
University of Texas. Tiger Woods received the Haskins Award at
Callaway Gardens in 1996.

The Buick Challenge at Callaway Gardens was named a Top 20 Event
by the Southeast Tourism Society in 1998.

The numbering of Mountain View course was changed to accommodate
the Buick Challenge.

Coca-Cola frequently sponsored the “Coca-Cola Youth Clinic.”
Participants received a free golf club as well as other items.

The Buick Challenge was one of a few times the pros would play on
Bermuda grass.

The tournament was often broadcast live on ESPN and ABC.

The Buick Challenge was organized by Southern Charities in
Columbus, Ga.

By the final year of the Buick Challenge the purse had reached
$3.7 million.

The Buick Challenge attracted some of the finest pros in the
game. PGA notes state “Any tournament director would give his
left arm to have a field of this quality.” Ninety-five of the
top 100 players on the PGA TOUR®’s top money list were competing
at Callaway Gardens that year. (Not dated)

Callaway Gardens’ acclaimed Mountain View course hosted the PGA
TOUR’s Buick Challenge 12 times between 1991 and 2002. The
tournament drew an impressive array of top tour players each
year. In the final years of the Buick Challenge, Callaway
Gardens hosted one of the strongest fields ever with 95 of the
top 100 players participating. Johnny Andrews, PGA TOUR
official, stated to Callaway Garden’s Golf Pro Bud Robinson, “Any
tournament director would give his left arm to draw a field this
strong.”