Played February 12-15, 1959 at El Rio Golf and Country Club

Purse: $15,000

In Tuesday qualifying at Randolph, 147 played for 75 slots. The cutoff was 74. Gardner Dickinson failed to qualify with a 76. He'd recently had back surgery. He said he was going home and asked PGA officials not to enter him in any more tournaments.

Dizzy Dean, who claimed a 10 handicap, and 6-handicapper Randolph Scott played in the pro-am on Wednesday. The best-ball event was won by Jimmy Clark and Tucson dentist Dr. Leonard Weiner with a score of 60. Mike Souchak and Stan Leonard shared the individual low score honors with 63s. Dizzy Dean shot a 72 and Randolph Scott a 76.

First round leader: Marty Furgol who took an early 3-stroke lead over the field with a 62. Joe Jiminez tied the 9-hole record when he shot a 29 on the front nine, but he then shot 37 on the back. John Brodie of the San Francisco 49ers holed out a wedge shot from 110 yards on the third hole for eagle, then also eagled number 18.

Second round leaders: Julius Boros and Joe Campbell with a record-tying 129 total.

Third round leader: Joe Campbell with a record 194. The 23-year-old rookie stood a chance to break the 72-hole scoring record if he could shoot 68 in the final round.

Gene Littler's win at the 1959 Tucson Open was his second in as many weeks. He had won the Phoenix Open the week before. Joe Campbell failed to break the tournament scoring record when his putter went cold. He shot 73 in the final round.

The tournament was covered by KGUN-TV. The cups on the 9th and 18th holes were painted white to show up better on the TV cameras.

Anthony Quinn presented the winner's check to Littler. He was in the Tucson area for the filming of Heller With a Gun with Sophia Loren. No word on whether or not she visited El Rio.

There was record attendance, with around 8,000 fans coming out for the final round alone. Gate receipts continue to grow every year.