The Royal Poinciana Invitational was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour in 1961 and 1962.[1] It was played at Palm Beach Golf Club in Palm Beach, Florida, a Dick Wilson and Joe Lee-designed Par-3 course. The tournament was one of the first in professional golf featuring a Battle of the Sexes concept, with a Par 3 course that neutralised power and emphasised precision golf.

In 1961, the field consisted of 24 men and women, both amateurs and professionals.[2][3] The tournament was 54 holes and won by Louise Suggs by one stroke over local pro Dub Pagan.[4] Sam Snead was third, two shots behind.

In 1962, the Battle of the Sexes concept was changed to 14 LPGA professionals versus one man, PGA of America superstar Sam Snead (the modern touring professional division would not happen until 1968). The tournament was played over 72 holes.[5] Snead won by five strokes over future Hall-of-Famer Mickey Wright, making him the only man to win an official LPGA Tour event. Both won 82 tournaments in their primary tours during their careers, making the Snead-Wright battle unique in that it was an official tournament.[6]

Professional golf's Battle of the Sexes concept has been tried in mostly exhibition events, but would not return until the 2019 Jordan Mixed Open presented by Ayla, when the Challenge Tour, the European Senior Tour and the Ladies European Tour participated in an official event for all three tours.

The course was purchased by the city of Palm Beach in 1973, and redesigned by PGA Tour legend Raymond Floyd in 2009.[7]

Winners

Royal Poinciana Plaza Invitational
Royal Poinciana Invitational

References

  1. ↑ LPGA Tournament Chronology 1960-1969 Archived June 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ "Field of 24 Ready for $10,000 Royal Poinciana Meet Tuesday". Palm Beach Daily News. Palm Beach, Florida. February 10, 1961. p. 5. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Royal Poinciana Meet Opens". Palm Beach Daily News. Palm Beach, Florida. February 14, 1961. p. 8. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Louise Suggs Beats Snead, Other Pros". Milwaukee Sentinel. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. AP. February 16, 1961. pp. 2–6. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Snead Needs Win And Boat". Palm Beach Daily News. Palm Beach, Florida. February 6, 1962. p. 10. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  6. ↑ "It's Sam In Rally By Five". Palm Beach Daily News. Palm Beach, Florida. February 8, 1962. p. 13. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Palm Beach Golf". Palm Beach Golf. Retrieved 2021-05-28.


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