Cajun Classic Golf Tournament on the PGA Tour
First played: 1958
Last played: 1968
Aside from its first year, the tournament was played in the later part of the PGA Tour schedule. Its last four years, in fact, it was the final tournament on the schedule.
The tour's "Big 3" (Palmer, Player, Nicklaus) of that era didn't play it much, but Jack Nicklaus was the runner-up in 1964. There were no repeat winners in the Cajun Classic: 11 different winners in 11 years. But two Heberts did win: Jay Hebert won the inaugural tournament and, two years later, brother Lionel Hebert won it.
Marty Fleckman's only tour win happened here in 1967, and is notable because it was Fleckman's first PGA Tour tournament as a pro. Only a handful of golfers in tour history have won the first PGA Tour event they played after turning pro, and Fleckman is generally listed as the first to do it.
In 1962, the winner was John Barnum. At age 51, he remains today the oldest first-time winner in PGA Tour history, as well as being one of the oldest winners in PGA Tour history. He also became the first golfer to win on the PGA Tour using a Ping putter.
The tournament scoring record was 270, achieved by Doug Sanders in 1961, Barnum in 1962 and Ron Cerrudo in 1968. The largest margin of victory was six, by Barnum over Gay Brewer and Sanders over Ken Still.
Also known as: The tournament was called the Lafayette Open Invitational the first two years it took place. It then switched to Cajun Classic Open Invitational.
Winners of the Cajun Classic
1958 — Jay Hebert, 2751959 — Billy Casper, 273
1960 — Lionel Hebert, 272
1961 — Doug Sanders, 270
1962 — John Barnum, 270
1963 — Rex Baxter, 275
1964 — Miller Barber, 277
1965 — Babe Hiskey, 275 (def. Dudley Wysong in playoff)
1966 — Jacky Cupit, 271 (def. Chi Chi Rodriguez in playoff)
1967 — Marty Fleckman, 275 (def. Jack Montgomery in playoff)
1968 — Ron Cerrudo, 270
Golf course: The Cajun Classic Open Invitational was always played in Lafayette, La., and always at the Oakbourne Country Club.
