One of the more prestigious stops on the PGA Tour – the Buick Open – was in full swing this past weekend. If you’ve never been to one, you don’t know what you’re missing. It takes place in the upscale suburb of Grand Blanc, Michigan, just a few miles south of Flint and about an hour north of Detroit. But there are many more things you might not know about this prestigious event. Here are some interesting facts about “the Open”:
1. The first Buick Open had a prize of only $52,000. At the time, that was the largest prize awarded on the PGA Tour. To put that amount in perspective, the person who places 23rd in this year’s Buick Open will earn that much. That’s a far cry from the first place prize of $5 million.
2. The golf course on which the Buick Open is played was once a farm. Arnold Lenz, the vice president of GM at the time, provided the foundation for the course’s clubhouse.
3. Currently, Robert Wrenn holds the record for the lowest score at the Buick Open with 26-under 272. He has held the record for 21 years.
4. Tiger Woods has appeared in eight Buick Open tournaments. He has never shot over par in any of those rounds.
5. Buick was the first corporation to sponsor the PGA Tour in 1958. The automaker decided to sponsor the event as a way to celebrate GM’s 50th anniversary.
Are you starved for more interesting Buick Open facts? If so, visit this website. If you’re in the area, visit a local Buick dealer for a great deal on one of these luxurious cars. One area dealer even holds the record for selling the most Buicks in the world. That’s quite a feat for a small town like Flint.
