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:
Kelli Kuehne and Tiger Woods
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.
Nancy Lopez and Curtis Strange
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 and Fred Couples
Jan Stephenson teamed up with Fred Couples to win in 1983.
Meg Mallon and Steve Pate
Meg Mallon and Steve Pate triumphed in the 1998 edition.
Donna Andrews and Mike Hulbert
Donna Andrews and Mike Hulbert took home the crystal in 1996.
Pat Bradley and Bill Glasson
Pat Bradley won the event twice. First with Lon Hinkle in 1978 and then with Bill Glasson in 1989.
Laurie Rinker and Larry Rinker
Siblings Larry and Laurie Rinker, both Florida Gators, won in 1985.
Laura Davies and John Daly
Bombers Laura Davies and John Daly won the final edition of this event in 1999.
JoAnne Carner and John Mahaffey
JoAnne Carner and John Mahaffey won together in 1982.
Billy Andrade and Kris Tschetter
Billy Andrade and Kris Tschetter won at Innisbrook in 1991.
