The Vermont Open is the

Vermont Vermont () is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, New York (state), New York to the west, and the Provinces and territories of Ca ...

state open

golf Golf is a club-and-ball sport in which players use various Golf club, clubs to hit a Golf ball, ball into a series of holes on a golf course, course in as few strokes as possible. Golf, unlike most ball games, cannot and does not use a standa ...

tournament, open to both

amateur An amateur () is generally considered a person who pursues an avocation independent from their source of income. Amateurs and their pursuits are also described as popular, informal, autodidacticism, self-taught, user-generated, do it yourself, DI ...

and

professional golfer A professional golfer is somebody who receives payments or financial rewards in the sport of golf that are directly related to their skill or reputation. A person who earns money by teaching or playing golf is traditionally considered a "golf pr ...

s. It is organized by the Vermont Chapter of the New England section of the

PGA of America The Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA of America) is an American organization of golf professionals that was founded in 1916. Consisting of nearly 29,000 members, the PGA of America's undertaking is to establish and elevate t ...

History

With the help of Burlington-area businessmen, the Vermont Open was inaugurated in 1940. The "local merchants" were able to raise a purse of $3,000 and the event was sanctioned by the

. A number of prominent local players from the northeast like

Mike Turnesa Michael C. Turnesa (June 9, 1907 – October 31, 2000) was an American professional golfer. Early life Turnesa was one of seven golfing brothers: Phil (1896–1987), Frank (1898–1949), Joe (1901–1991), Mike (1907–2000), Doug (1909–1972) ...

Jim Turnesa James R. Turnesa (December 9, 1912 – August 27, 1971) was an American professional golfer and winner of the 1952 PGA Championship, beating Chick Harbert 1-up in the match-play final. He was one of seven famous golfing brothers; Phil (1896–19 ...

, and

Bob Toski Robert John Toski, born Algustoski (born September 18, 1926), is an American professional golfer and golf instructor. He was inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in 2013. Early life Toski was born in Haydenville, Massachusetts. ...

decided to play. In addition, top golfers on the national scene like

Horton Smith Horton Smith (May 22, 1908 – October 15, 1963) was an American professional golfer, best known as the winner of the first and third Masters Tournaments. Tournament career Born in Springfield, Missouri, Smith turned professional in 1926 and ...

Dutch Harrison Ernest Joseph "Dutch" Harrison (March 29, 1910 – June 19, 1982) was an American professional golfer whose career spanned over four decades—one of the longest in the history of the PGA Tour. Early life Harrison was born in Conway, Arkansas. ...

, and Pete Cooper were lured by the extensive prize money. Mike Turnesa, shooting a 284 total, won the event. The following year, however, "the PGA was unable to work out a date that fit into

heir Inheritance is the practice of receiving private property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ among societies and have changed over time. Offi ...

schedule" and the tournament was not held. In the ensuing years, due to

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

and general negligence, the event was discontinued. In the late 1940s, however, the event was revitalized and has been continuously held since then.

Winners

Source:

References

External links

PGA of America – New England sectionPGA of America – New England section – Vermont chapter

List of winners
(1984+) {{State Open Championships (golf) State Open golf tournaments PGA of America sectional tournaments Golf tournaments in Vermont Recurring sporting events established in 1955 1955 establishments in Vermont