1980 - Seniors (All)
The winners in the category "1980 - Seniors (All)" are shown in the table below, which also includes relevant information on venues, scores and prize money.
Majors
USGA
The inaugural US Senior Open (June 26-29; together with the PGA Seniors' Championship in December, this event launched the "senior major" concept. The Snr PGA Tour was also launched in 1980). Second-placed William C. Campbell (USA, amateur) finished 4 shots behind De Vicenzo (Arg). [East course, Winged Foot GC, Mamaroneck, NY].
Majors
PGA of America
Played as the PGA Seniors' Championship (Dec 4-7; the Snr PGA Tr was launched in this year; this was its season-ending event. This event, together with the U.S. Senior Open played in June, launched the concept of "senior majors"). Arnold Palmer (USA), making his debut in this event, beat Paul Harney (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Soffer course, Miami Turnberry Resort, Aventura, FL; at the time called the South course, Turnberry Isle Resort].
America
x
Played as the Atlantic City Senior International (June 20-22; the very first official Senior PGA Tour event). Second-placed Mike Souchak (USA) finished 2 shots behind January (USA). [Atlantic City CC, Northfield, New Jersey].
America
x
Played as the inaugural World Seniors Invitational. Second-placed Arnold Palmer (USA) finished 2 shots behind Littler (USA). [Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, North Carolina].
America
Liberty Mutual
Played as the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (unofficial two-man better-ball team event). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) & Don January (USA) finished 2 shots behind Tommy Bolt (USA) and Art Wall (USA). [Onion Creek Club, Austin, Texas].
America
Liberty Mutual
Played as the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (unofficial two-man better-ball team event). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) & Don January (USA) finished 2 shots behind Tommy Bolt (USA) and Art Wall (USA). [Onion Creek Club, Austin, Texas].
America
Golf Digest
Played as the inaugural Golf Digest Commemorative Pro-Am (unofficial US Snr Tr event). Second-placed Bob Goalby (USA) finished 1 shot behind 68-year-old Snead (USA), who shot a 67 in the final round. [Newport CC, Newport, Rhode Island].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Suntree Senior Classic. Second-placed Don January (USA) finished 4 shots behind Sifford (USA), who recorded his first (and only) US Snr Tr win. [Suntree CC, Melbourne, Florida].
Europe
x
Played as the PGA Seniors Championship (June 27-30). Second-placed Doug Beattie (Scot) finished 5 shots behind Patrick "Paddy" Skerritt (Ire), who won this event for the second time in three years. [King's course, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire; first round played on the Queen's course].
Awards
Snr PGA Tr
January (USA) won the inaugural Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the Senior PGA Tour.
Awards
Snr PGA Tr
January (USA) won the inaugural Arnold Palmer Award as the Senior PGA Tour 1980 leading money winner, with earnings of $44,100 on the Tour. Charlie Sifford (USA) was second with $34,929; Art Wall Jr (USA) was third with $20,829.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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