1981 - Seniors (All)
The winners in the category "1981 - Seniors (All)" are shown in the table below, which also includes relevant information on venues, scores and prize money.
Majors
USGA
The US Senior Open (July 9-12). Palmer (USA) beat Billy Casper (USA) and Bob Stone (USA) in an 18-hole playoff (Palmer 70, Stone 74, Casper 77). [South course, Oakland Hills CC, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan].
Majors
PGA of America
Played as the PGA Seniors' Championship (Dec 3-6; Snr PGA Tr season-ending event). Second-placed and defending champion Arnold Palmer (USA) finished 2 shots behind Miller Barber (USA). [Soffer course, Miami Turnberry Resort, Aventura, FL; at the time called the South course, Turnberry Isle Resort].
America
Marlborough CC
Played as the inaugural Marlborough Classic. Second-placed Art Wall Jr (USA) finished 2 shots behind first-time US Snr Tr winner Goalby (USA). [Marlborough CC, Marlborough, Massachusetts].
America
Peter Jackson
Played as the inaugural Peter Jackson Champions (June 12-14). First-time Snr PGA Tour winner Barber (USA) beat Gene Littler (USA) with a par at the first playoff hole. [Capilano G&CC, Vancouver, British Columbia, Can].
America
Eureka
Played as the inaugural (and only) Eureka Federal Savings Classic (June 4-7). Second-placed Bob Goalby (USA) finished 2 shots behind January (USA). [TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, CA].
America
x
Played as the World Seniors Invitational. Second-placed and defending champion Gene littler (USA) finished 3 shots behind Barber (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; first time over 72 holes). Second-placed Peter Thomson (Aus) and Kel Nagle (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Gene Littler (USA) & Bob Rosburg (USA). [Onion Creek Club, Austin, Texas].
America
Liberty Mutual
Played as the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (unofficial two-man better-ball team event; first time over 72 holes). Second-placed Peter Thomson (Aus) and Kel Nagle (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Gene Littler (USA) & Bob Rosburg (USA). [Onion Creek Club, Austin, Texas].
America
Michelob
Played as the inaugural Michelob Egypt Temple Seniors Classic (April 2-5; Snr PGA Tour season opener). January (USA) beat Doug Ford (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Carrollwood CC, Tampa, Florida; at the time known as Carrollwood Village G&CC].
America
Golf Digest
Played as the Golf Digest Commemorative Pro-Am (unofficial US Snr Tr event). First-time US Snr Tr winner Ford (USA) beat 69-year-old defending champion Sam Snead (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole (par-4 16th). [Newport CC, Newport, Rhode Island].
America
x
Played as the Suntree Seniors Classic. Second-placed Bob Goalby (USA) finished 4 shots behind Barber (USA). [Suntree CC, Melbourne, Florida].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Vintage Invitational (unofficial US Snr Tr event). Second-placed Bob Goalby (USA) finished 9 shots behind Littler (USA). [Vintage Club, Palm Desert, California].
Europe
Forte
Played as the Forte PGA Seniors Championship (July 21-24). Christy O'Connor Snr (Ire) beat Fred Boobyer (Eng) with a par at the first playoff hole, to record the fourth of his six wins in this event. [North Berwick GC, North Berwick, East Lothian].
Awards
Snr PGA Tr
Barber (USA) won the Byron Nelson Award, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the Senior PGA Tour.
Awards
Snr PGA Tr
Barber (USA) won the Arnold Palmer Award as the Senior PGA Tour 1981 leading money winner, with earnings of $83,136 on the Tour. Don January (USA) was second with $74,175; Bob Goalby (USA) was third with $66,494.
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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