Shell's Wonderful World of Golf explained

Shell's Wonderful World of Golf was a televised series of golf matches which began in the 1960s.[1] [2] The program was sponsored by Shell Oil. It was a part of the tradition of "challenge matches" between pairs of professional golfers, which were the earliest form of professional golf competition, but have now been almost entirely replaced by large field tournaments. On a few occasions, three players competed (see table). No matches were staged between 1970 and 1994, when the show was restarted by Jack Nicklaus Productions and hosted by Gary Player.[3] Gene Sarazen was the host for most of the earlier matches.[4]

Each contest was played as a stroke play match, rather than match play.

It began as a pre-recorded one-hour program on Sunday afternoons, and was notable for also including information about the host country for that week's show. It also included some of the conversations between the contestants between the shots. As such, it allowed the audience to feel they were part of a foursome traveling with the competitors and host, as opposed to being just a spectator in the gallery.

Matches through 2003

YearPlayersLocationCourse
2003Fred Couples vs. Michael CampbellMatauri Bay, Northland, New ZealandKauri Cliffs
2002Gary Player vs. Tom WeiskopfGalena, OhioDouble Eagle Club
2002Phil Mickelson vs. David TomsBrooksville, FloridaWorld Woods Golf Club
2002Fred Couples vs. Mark CalcavecchiaCarmel, CaliforniaThe Preserve Golf Club
2001Sam Torrance vs. Curtis StrangeNewport, Rhode IslandCarnegie Abbey Club
2001Phil Mickelson vs. Sergio GarcíaLos Cabos, MexicoQuerencia
2001Craig Stadler vs. Shigeki MaruyamaIchihara, Chiba, JapanTPC Ichihara
2001Karrie Webb vs. Annika SörenstamLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas Paiute Golf Resort
2001Jack Nicklaus vs. Arnold PalmerSt. Augustine, FloridaWorld Golf Village, The King and The Bear Course[5]
2001Jack Nicklaus vs. Ben CrenshawSanta Fe, New MexicoLas Campanas
2000David Duval vs Ernie ElsCharleston, South CarolinaCherokee Plantation
2000Notah Begay III vs Hal SuttonRose Hall, St. James, JamaicaWhite Witch Golf Course
2000Paul Azinger vs Jesper ParnevikGulfport, MississippiGrand Bear Golf Course
2000Fred Couples vs Phil MickelsonOklahoma City, OklahomaGaillardia Country Club
2000Jack Nicklaus vs Gary PlayerBerkshire, EnglandSunningdale Golf Club (New Course)
1999Nick Price vs Ernie ElsMalalane, Mpumalanga, South AfricaLeopard Creek Country Club
1999Jim Furyk vs Colin MontgomerieParis, FranceParis Golf Club
1999Dottie Pepper vs Karrie WebbHanover, OhioLongaberger Golf Club
1999Fred Couples vs John DalySunriver, OregonCrosswater Club
1999Hale Irwin vs Tom WatsonPrinceton, New JerseyTPC Jasna Polana
1998Tom Lehman vs. Phil MickelsonBay Harbor, MichiganBay Harbor Golf Club
1998Fred Couples vs. Ernie ElsWhistler, British Columbia, CanadaNicklaus North Golf Course
1998Payne Stewart vs. Nick PriceArubaTierra Del Sol Golf Course
1998Justin Leonard vs. Davis Love IIIMamaroneck, New YorkWinged Foot Golf Club (East Course)
1998Gary Player vs. Lee TrevinoSt. Augustine, FloridaWorld Golf Village
1997Tom Lehman vs. Nick FaldoSaint James, BarbadosRoyal Westmoreland Golf Club
1997Tom Kite vs. Seve BallesterosSantander, Cantabria, SpainReal Club de Golf de Pedreña
1997Fred Couples vs. Tom WatsonThomastown, County Kilkenny, IrelandMount Juliet Golf Course
1997Phil Mickelson vs. Colin MontgomerieVail, ColoradoCordillera
1997Jack Nicklaus vs. Johnny MillerSan Francisco, CaliforniaOlympic Club (Lakeside Course)
1996Arnold Palmer vs. Gary PlayerLanai, HawaiiThe Challenge at Manele
1996Jack Nicklaus vs. Lee TrevinoCabo San Lucas, MexicoCabo del Sol (Ocean Course)
1996Annika Sörenstam vs. Dottie PepperKiawah Island, South CarolinaKiawah Island (Ocean Course)
1996Greg Norman vs. Fred CouplesSutherland, ScotlandSkibo Castle
1996Tom Kite vs. Ben CrenshawHouston, Texas
1995Greg Norman vs. Nick PriceHobe Sound, FloridaMedalist Golf Club
1995Jack Nicklaus vs. Tom WatsonPebble Beach, CaliforniaPebble Beach
1995Chi-Chi Rodríguez vs. Lee TrevinoHumacao, Puerto RicoPalmas del Mar (Palms Course)
1995Phil Mickelson vs. Ernie ElsTenerife, SpainGolf del Sur
1995Paul Azinger vs. Seve BallesterosSt Andrews, ScotlandOld Course at St Andrews
1994Raymond Floyd vs. Fred CouplesLa Romana, Dominican RepublicCasa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog)
1994Arnold Palmer vs. Jack NicklausPinehurst, North CarolinaPinehurst No. 2
1994Greg Norman vs. Nick FaldoBerkshire, EnglandSunningdale Golf Club (Old Course)
1970Ballybunion, IrelandBallybunion Golf Club, Old Course
1970Roberto De Vicenzo vs. Tom Weiskopf vs. Dave StocktonBuenos Aires, ArgentinaRanelagh Golf Club
1970Bob Murphy vs. Dan Sikes vs. Miller BarberMount Irvine, Tobago, Trinidad and TobagoTobago Golf Club
1970Lee Elder vs. George Knudson vs. George ArcherSão Paulo, BrazilSão Fernando Golf Club
1970Julius Boros vs. Frank Beard vs. Lee TrevinoAtizapan de Zaragoza, MexicoClub de Golf Bellavista
1970George Knudson vs. Roberto De VicenzoWinnipeg, Manitoba, CanadaSt. Charles Country Club
1970Frank Beard vs. Dan SikesNew Orleans, LouisianaNew Orleans Country Club
1970Dan Sikes vs. Roberto De VicenzoSan Francisco, CaliforniaOlympic Club (Lakeside Course)
1969Ben Arda vs. Billy Casper vs. Gene LittlerManila, PhilippinesManila Golf & Country Club
1969Arnold Palmer vs. Gay Brewer vs. Chi-Chi RodríguezFajardo, Puerto RicoEl Conquistador Hotel & Club
1969Roberto De Vicenzo vs. Bert Yancey vs. Tony JacklinKaren, KenyaKaren Country Club
1969Doug Sanders vs. Charlie Sifford vs. Dave ThomasSingaporeSingapore Island Country Club
1969Dan Sikes vs. Al Geiberger vs. Peter AllissKamuela, HawaiiMauna Kea Beach Hotel Golf Course
1969Frank Beard vs. Gardner Dickinson vs. Julius BorosKingston, JamaicaCaymanas Golf & Country Club
1969Frank Beard vs. Doug Sanders vs. Arnold PalmerPalm Beach, FloridaPGA National Golf Club (East Course)
1969Ben Arda vs. Roberto De Vicenzo vs. Dan SikesLondon, Ontario, CanadaLondon Hunt & Country Club
1969Frank Beard vs. Ben ArdaMedinah, IllinoisMedinah Country Club (#3 Course)
1969Sandra Haynie vs. Carol Mann vs. Kathy WhitworthBangkok, ThailandRoyal Bangkok Sports Club
1968Mason Rudolph vs. Gardner DickinsonGuatemala City, GuatemalaGuatemala Country Club
1968Phil Rodgers vs. Dave ThomasSt Andrews, ScotlandOld Course at St Andrews
1968Frank Beard vs. Sebastián MiguelBarcelona, SpainReal Club de Golf El Prat
1968Don January vs. Christy O'ConnorNewcastle, County Down, Northern IrelandRoyal County Down Golf Club
1968Julius Boros vs. Arnold PalmerEleuthera, The BahamasCotton Bay Club
1968Doug Sanders vs. Peter AllissPortimão, PortugalPenina Golf Club
1968Sandra Haynie vs. Carol MannLausanne, SwitzerlandGolf Club de Lausanne
1968Billy Casper vs. Gay BrewerMiami, FloridaDoral Country Club (Blue Course)
1968Al Geiberger vs. George KnudsonVictoria, British Columbia, CanadaVictoria Golf Club
1968Roberto De Vicenzo vs. Sam SneadBethesda, MarylandCongressional Country Club
1967Bruce Devlin vs. Tommy JacobsRome, ItalyGolf Club of Rome
1967Peter Alliss vs. Tony LemaTucker's Town, BermudaMid Ocean Club
1967Antonio Cerdá vs. Johnny PottMexico City, MexicoClub de Golf Mexico
1967Peter Thomson vs. Dave MarrUtrecht, NetherlandsUtrechtse Golf Club "De Pan"
1967Marlene Streit (a) vs. Mickey WrightMississauga, Ontario, CanadaToronto Golf Club
1967Miguel Sala vs. Billy CasperCaracas, VenezuelaLagunita Country Club
1967Jean Garaïalde vs. Ken VenturiVersailles, FranceGolf de la Boulie
1967Julius Boros vs. Sam SneadAtlanta, GeorgiaPeachtree Golf Club
1967Dave Thomas vs. Bob RosburgMid-Glamorgan, WalesSoutherndown Golf Club
1967Harold Henning vs. Doug SandersFrankfurt, GermanyFrankfurter Golf Club
1967Roberto De Vicenzo vs. Tom WeiskopfFédala, MoroccoGolf de Fédala
1966Tony Lema vs. Roberto De VicenzoGlyfada, Athens, GreeceGlyfada Golf Club
1966Mike Souchak vs. Chi-Chi RodríguezPanamaPanama Country Club
1966Marlene Streit (a) vs. Marilynn SmithOslo, NorwayOslo Golfklubb
1966Billy Casper vs. Doug SandersBrookline, MassachusettsThe Country Club
1966Bruce Devlin vs. Charlie SiffordMalaysiaSelangor G.C.
1966Gene Littler vs. George KnudsonAylmer, Quebec, CanadaRoyal Ottawa Golf Club
1966Ramón Sota vs. Bobby NicholsMadrid, SpainReal Club de Campo
1966Sam Snead vs. Jimmy DemaretColorado Springs, ColoradoAir Force Academy
1966George Will vs. Dave MarrSouth Ayrshire, ScotlandTurnberry (Ailsa Course)
1966Ben Arda vs. Dow FinsterwaldPhilippinesValley C.C.
1966Chen Ching-Po vs. Tommy JacobsOsaka, JapanIberaki C.C.
1965Dave Marr vs. Bernard HuntBerkshire, EnglandSunningdale Golf Club (Old Course)
1965Tony Lema vs. Carl PoulsenDenmarkRungsted Golf Klub
1965Jay Hebert vs. Friedel SchmadererHamburg, GermanyHamburg G.C.
1965Chi-Chi Rodríguez vs. Tommy JacobsNassau, BahamasLyford Cay Club
1965Ben Hogan vs. Sam SneadHouston, TexasHouston C.C.
1965George Knudson vs. Al BaldingIngonish, Nova Scotia, CanadaCape Breton Highlands
1964Joe Carr (a) vs. Al GeibergerKillarney, IrelandKillarney Golf & Fishing Club
1965Johnny Pott vs. Roberto De VicenzoMaracaibo, VenezuelaMaracaibo C.C.
1965Phil Rodgers vs. Alfonso AngeliniItalyVilla d'Este G.C.
1965Marley Spearman vs. Marilynn SmithLuxembourgLuxembourg G.C.
1965Barbara Romack vs. Isa GoldschmidLa Turbie, FranceMonte Carlo G.C.
1964Julius Boros vs. Miguel SalaBogotá, ColombiaCountry Club de Bogotá
1964Mickey Wright vs. Brigitte Varangot (a)PortugalEstoril G.C.
1964Dave Marr vs. Flory Van DonckBelgiumRoyal Golf Course
1964George Knudson vs. Stan LeonardWest Vancouver, British ColumbiaCapilano G&CC
1964Tony Lema vs. Chen Ching-PoJapanKawana
1964Doug Sanders vs. Chi-Chi RodríguezPuerto RicoDorado Beach (East Course)
1964Bobby Nichols vs. Jacky BonvinSwitzerlandGC Crans-Sur-Sierre
1964Dave Ragan vs. Bob CharlesHawaiiRoyal Kaanapali Golf Course
1964Johnny Pott vs. Kel NagleDelhi, IndiaDelhi Golf Club
1963Dow Finsterwald vs. Peter AllissJamaicaTryall Hotel G.C.
1963Gene Littler vs. Eric BrownAuchterarder, Perth and Kinross, ScotlandGleneagles (Kings Course)
1962Dave Ragan vs. Celestino TugotManila, PhilippinesWack Wack Golf and Country Club
1963Art Wall Jr. vs. Stan LeonardBoischatel, Quebec, CanadaRoyal-Quebec Golf Club
1963Doug Sanders vs. Arne WerkellSwedenHalmstad GK
1963Jack Nicklaus vs. Sam SneadPebble Beach, CaliforniaPebble Beach
1963Byron Nelson vs. Gerard de WitThe Hague, NetherlandsRoyal Haagsche G&CC
1963Phil Rodgers vs. Frank PhillipsSingaporeRoyal Singapore G.C.
1963Billy Casper vs. Harry BradshawPortmarnock, Fingal, IrelandPortmarnock Golf Club
1963Bob Goalby vs. Bob CharlesNew ZealandParaparaumu Beach
1963Bob Rosburg vs. Roberto De VicenzoChileLos Leones
1962Jerry Barber vs. Dai ReesLondon, EnglandWentworth (West Course)
1962Jack Burke Jr. vs. Stan LeonardBanff, Alberta, CanadaBanff Springs G.C.
1962Gene Sarazen vs. Henry CottonSt Andrews, ScotlandOld Course at St Andrews
1962Bob Rosburg vs. Pete NakamuraKawagoe, JapanKasumigaseki Country Club
1962Gene Littler vs. Byron NelsonPine Valley, New JerseyPine Valley Golf Club
1962Ken Venturi vs. Ugo GrappasonniRome, ItalyOlgiata Golf Club
1962Gary Player vs. Peter ThomsonMelbourne, AustraliaRoyal Melbourne Golf Club
1962Mike Souchak vs. Roberto De VicenzoBuenos Aires, ArgentinaJockey Club (Red Course)
1962Jay Hebert vs. Flory Van DonckParis, FranceC. de G. St. Cloud
1962Ted Kroll vs. Chen Ching-PoHong KongRoyal Hong Kong Golf Club
1961Billy Casper vs. Mário GonzalezRio de Janeiro, BrazilGavea Country Club

Notes and References

  1. When Television Golf Wowed the Crowd . March/April 1985 . Golf Journal . Robert . Sommers . October 16, 2009 . 2010-07-26.
  2. Web site: Shell Golf – 1962 – 2000 Shell's Wonderful World of Golf Matches . https://web.archive.org/web/20080427065216/http://www.shell.com/home/content/us-en/society_environment/sports/shell_golf/shell_wonderful_world_golf/swwg_match_listing.html . April 27, 2008.
  3. Web site: When Jack and Arnie roamed Pinehurst No. 2 . September 2, 2015 . Pinehurst.
  4. News: Heard Round the World . May 3, 2023 . Star-Telegram . May 14, 1999 . 14D.
  5. Arnie and Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry, by Ian O'Connor, 2008, pp. 265-268