This article is about the golf tournament held in the United States from 1971 to 2006. For the golf tournament held in Canada from 1928 to 1993, see British Columbia Open.
The B.C. Open was a PGA Tourgolf tournament in Broome County, New York, held annually from 1971 to 2006. In 1971, it was called the Broome County Open, and the next year it switched to the B.C. Open. In 1973, it became a PGA Tour regular 72-hole money event. From 2000 to 2006, it took place during the same week as The Open Championship, so the leading players were not available and it was one of the smaller events on the PGA Tour schedule. The purse for the final edition in 2006 was $3 million.
The tournament was played at the En-Joie Golf Course in Endicott in Upstate New York for every event through 2005. In 2006, severe flooding of the adjacent Susquehanna River forced the event to move to the Atunyote Golf Club at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona. The event was operated by Broome County Community Charities, Inc. Since its inception, the B.C. Open has turned back to local charities in excess of $7.4 million through 2003.
It was partially named after the comic strip B.C., created by Johnny Hart, who was born and raised in Endicott. Johnny Hart's B.C. characters were used in advertising the event.
The B.C. Open was held for the last time on the PGA Tour in 2006 due to a schedule revamp based on the introduction of the FedEx Cup.[1] The success of the Turning Stone event in 2006 led to that venue hosting a "Fall Series" event beginning in 2007, the Turning Stone Resort Championship.
1973: Hubert Green wins the B.C. Open the first time it is considered an official PGA Tour event. He finishes six shots ahead of Dwight Nevil.[3]
1974: En Joie Golf Club assistant pro Richie Karl birdies the first hole of a sudden death playoff to defeat Bruce Crampton.[4]
1978: Tom Kite shoots a first round 66[5] on his way to a wire-to-wire five shot victory over Mark Hayes.[6]
1979: Howard Twitty earns his first PGA Tour triumph after Tom Purtzer and Doug Tewell each come to the 72nd hole tied for the lead but falter by making bogey and double bogey respectively.[7]
1982: Calvin Peete opens the final round with a double bogey but still wins the tournament easily by seven shots over Jerry Pate.[8]