History of the Long Island Open

The Long Island Open was established in 1922 as a golf tournament open to both professionals and amateurs on Long Island, New York, marking one of the inaugural events organized by the newly formed Long Island Golf Association. Founded that same year by prominent local amateur golfers including John Montgomery Ward, John N. Steams Jr., Dr. A.T. Haight, Gardiner White, and Grant Peacock, the inaugural tournament took place at the Cherry Valley Club in Garden City, New York, from August 7 to 9, 1922. The event featured a preliminary amateur-professional four-ball best-ball competition over 36 holes on the first day, followed by a 72-hole medal play championship proper across the next two days, open to professionals affiliated with LIGA-member clubs and amateurs from allied clubs, with an entry fee of $5 and prizes for top finishers. The Long Island Open evolved into a fixture on the PGA Tour schedule during the 1920s and 1930s, attracting top professionals and gaining national prominence within the era’s professional golf circuit.

The event was suspended from 1942 to 1944 due to World War II and resumed in 1945 at Wheatley Hills Golf Club, where Henry Ransom claimed victory, signaling a return to normalcy amid the post-war recovery of recreational activities. The Championship reached its 100th edition in 2024 at Piping Rock Club was won by Matt Dobyns. Bethpage Red has hosted the historic championship a record 20 times between 1988 to 2012. The championship features two qualifying rounds with the championship being stroke-play format over 54 holes at various prestigious Long Island courses.

*Winner – 3 hole aggregate playoff