Rob Navarro Invitational

Infobox_Golf_Tournament
tournament_name = The Rob Navarro Invitational
location = Myrtle Beach, SC flagicon|USA
establishment = 1998
course = Various
par = 72
yardage = over 6000
tour = Ed Demechko Golf Group
format = stroke play, 4 rounds
purse = US $1,600.00
month_played = April
defunct = No
aggregate = 277 flagicon|USA Chuck Stover
to-par = -12 flagicon|USA Mark Demechko
Current Champion = flagicon|USA Mark Demechko

The Rob Navarro Invitational, which is commonly referred to as The RNI or The Rob Navarro Open, is an annual , by invitation only, golf tournament held in South Carolina. The RNI was formed by Rob Navarro Jr., a native of Youngstown, OH currently residing in Columbus. The RNI is an unofficial money event on the Demechko Group Tour. In 2008, the prize fund was US $1,600.00.

History

Early years

The first Rob Navarro Invitational was held on 17 April, 1998, and was won by Ed Aaron. The tournament has been held since 1998 and has ranged from 16 to 32 participants.

Format

In accordance with typical golf tournament formatting, the RNI Tournament is a 72-hole tournament held over four days. It is held under the rules of golf, as defined by the United States Golf Association and is also be subject to special rulings and regulations set by the RNI Tournament Committee.

In addition to the celery jacket (see below), winners of the tournament receive a Wooden Plaque and have their names engraved on it.

Celery jacket

In addition to a cash award, the winner of the tournament is presented with a distinctive celery jacket, awarded since 2001, and highly coveted among all golfers. The celery sport coat is actually the official attire worn by the champion out to the local watering holes the night winning the garment and the following years pre tournament gathering. The jacket is returned every year and passed on to that years champion.By tradition, the winner of the previous year's RNI puts the jacket on the current winner at the end of the tournament. No player has ever won in consecutive years and donned the jacket himself.

Winners

Multiple winners

1 man has won the RNI Tournament more than once through 2007.
* 5 wins
** Ed Aaron: 1998, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007

Records

Key records through the 2007 Masters:
* Youngest winner: Gary Lyons (1999) at 26 years.
* Oldest winner: Bob Kirkland (2006) at 48 years.
* Widest margin of victory: 12 strokes, Ed Aaron in 2007.
* Lowest individual round: 78, Gary Lyons (2005) gross - 64, Soapy Waters (2006) net

Past Participants

*Tim Skees
*Chet Sutphin
*Keith Stokes
*Robert Kirkland
*Robert Weckstien (Sandman)
*Brian Moore (Mike Weir)
*Chuck Stover
*Ed Demechko (Big E)
*Frank Magda (Hot Liquid)
*George Diamond
*George Svetlak
*Jim Brown
*Steve Sewell (Gorilla)
*Mike Carey
*Joe Simon
*Jim Lingo (Bubba)
*Ken Digiacamo (Dr Sickness)
*Bob Costello
*Chuck Lyons
*Courtney Blosser
*Mark Demechko (Zardo)
*Ray Wandersleben
*Rob Navarro Jr. (Bobby)
*Mike Aaron (Soapy)
*Todd Jones
*Rob Navarro Sr. (Don Boblo)
*Gary Lyons
*Chris Craft
*Kerry Clark
*Denny Lyons
*Frank Kobzowicz (Lizard Man)
*Joe Aaron
*Bob Kirkland
*Ed Aaron (Lil E)

External links

http://www.myrtlebeach.com
http://www.breakers.com
http://www.countryclubsc.com