History Overview
Proud Heritage
The Valero Texas Open, first played in 1922, is the 3rd oldest PGA TOUR tournament. It’s only younger than the Western Open (1899) and Canadian Open (1904). If you include the U.S. Open (1895) managed by the USGA, and the PGA Championship (1916) managed by the PGA of America, then the Valero Texas Open is the fifth oldest professional tournament in North America. The Valero Texas Open is the oldest Professional Golf Tour tournament to have been held in the same city its entire existence. In 2022, the Valero Texas Open celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Site
TPC San Antonio (The Oaks course). The Oaks course, adjacent to the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, has hosted the tournament since 2010 and is the eighth local course to have hosted the event.
The eight (8) courses include:
- Brackenridge Park Golf Course (21), 1922-1926, 1929-1940, 1950-1955, 1957-1959
- Willow Springs (10), 1927-1928, 1941-1949
- Fort Sam Houston (4), 1950-1951, 1956, 1960
- Pecan Valley Golf Club (3), 1967, 1969-1970
- Woodlake Country Club (5), 1972-1976
- Oak Hills Country Club (24), 1961-1966, 1977-1994
- La Cantera Resort Course (15), 1995-2009
- TPC San Antonio (15), 2010-2024
Texas Winners
Among the many Texas natives/residents who have won this tournament are Byron Nelson (Fort Worth, 1940), Ben Hogan (Fort Worth, 1946), Jack Burke, Jr. (Houston, 1952), Tony Holguin (San Antonio, 1953), Wesley Ellis (San Antonio, 1959), Ben Crenshaw (Austin, 1973, 1986), Don January (Denton, 1975), Lee Trevino (Dallas, 1980), Bill Rogers (Texarkana/San Antonio, 1981), John Mahaffey (The Woodlands, 1985), Blaine McCallister (Fort Stockton, 1991), Bob Estes (Austin, 1994), David Ogrin (Garden Ridge, 1996), Justin Leonard (Dallas, 2000-2001 & 2007), Tommy Armour III (Irving, 2003), Bart Bryant (Gatesville, 2004). While 2005 winner Robert Gamez is not from San Antonio, his father is and he has spent plenty of family time in the Alamo City. 2014 Champion Steven Bowditch, while originally from Australia, resides in Dallas. 2015 Champion Jimmy Walker resides in Boerne and 2018 Champion Andrew Landry resides in Austin. The most recent champion with Texas ties, Jordan Spieth (2021) was born, raised and currently resides in Dallas, Texas.
Multiple Winners
Three-time champions include Arnold Palmer 1960-62, Justin Leonard 2000-2001 & 2007. The following seven champions have won the tournament twice: Bill Mehlhorn, 1927-28; Dutch Harrison, 1939, 1951; Ben Crenshaw, 1973, 1986; Jay Haas, 1982, 1993; Duffy Waldorf, 1995, 1999; Zach Johnson, 2008-09; Corey Conners, 2019, 2023.
