Gatlin Brothers Southwest Golf Classic on the PGA Tour
The Gatlin Brothers-Southwest Golf Classic is a former tournament on the PGA Tour, played during the 1980s and also remembered as the LaJet Classic. It was played only a handful of times, but is remembered for having a celebrity title and a solid roster of champions.
Last played: 1988
The Gatlin Brothers were country music performers, led by chart-topping singer Larry Gatlin. The tournament was played in Abilene, Texas. When the PGA Tour version of this tournament ended, a tournament called the Gatlin Brothers Southwest Senior Classic took place on the Champions Tour in 1989-90.
The inaugural champ was Tom Weiskopf in 1981, and that victory was the 15th of his 16 career PGA Tour wins. Mark Calcavecchia notched his first career PGA Tour win (out of 13) here in 1986.
The tournament's 72-hole scoring record of 269 was established in the final year, 1988, by Tom Purtzer and Mark Brooks. Purtzer won their playoff. The largest margin of victory was six strokes, by Wayne Levi over runner-up Thomas Gray in 1982.
Winners of Southwest Golf Classic/LaJet Classic
1981 — Tom Weiskopf, 2781982 — Wayne Levi, 271
1983 — Rex Caldwell, 282
1984 — Curtis Strange, 273
1985 — Hal Sutton, 273 (def. Mike Reid in playoff)
1986 — Mark Calcavecchia, 275
1987 — Steve Pate, 273
1988 — Tom Purtzer, 269 (def. Mark Brooks in playoff)
Also known as: For a tournament that was only played eight times, this one sure had a lot of different names. The Gatlin Brothers had their name in title only in the final year. Before that it was the Southwest Golf Classic, LaJet Golf Classic, LaJet Coors Classic and LaJet Classic.
Golf Courses: Fairway Oaks Country Club in Abilene, Texas, was the host course every year.
