It has been nearly 25 years since the PGA Tour and LPGA have come together for a mixed-team event. That’s will soon change in December with the addition of the Grant Thornton Invitational.
As the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship wraps up Sunday at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, there are plenty of memories for many of the game’s greats who competed there in the 1990s during the JCPenney Classic, which dates to 1978. Mixed-team events between the two tours date to 1960.
Here are just a few of the winners over the years, as well as one team that didn’t win but certainly created plenty of headlines:
Tiger Woods and Kelli Kuehne, pictured at the 1996 JCPenney Classic
While they didn’t win, Tiger Woods’ and Kelli Kuehne’s presence at the 1996 JCPenney Classic caused quite a stir. The Nike pros finished third.
JC Penney Classic, Nancy Lopez in action during drive 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 Bardmoor Country Club in Largo, Florida.
Beth Daniel and Tom Kite
Beth Daniel teamed up with Tom Kite to win the 1981 JCPenney Classic. Daniel also won with Davis Love III in 1990 and 1995.
Jan Stephenson in action during tournament play circa 1979. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Jan Stephenson teamed up with Fred Couples to win in 1983.
Meg Mallon (right) and Steve Pate (left) display trophies during the JCPenney Classic in 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 at the 1996 JCPenney Classic (PGA Tour archive)
1996 JC Penney Classic
PGA TOUR Archive
Donna Andrews and Mike Hulbert took home the crystal in 1996.
Jul 1993: Pat Bradley watches her shot during the 1993 U.S. Womens Open at the 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.
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….
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