Arnie and the Army: Arnold Palmer (with club) walks ahead of an entourage of fans during one of his trips to Tucson's professional golf event.

Courtesy Tucson Open

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1945-1950

The CCT began as the Tucson Open in 1945 at El Rio Golf Course. The tournament was founded by Hall of Fame professional golfer Leo Diegel. In the early 1940s, Diegel — then head pro at El Rio — convinced PGA Tour commissioner Fred Corcoran that Tucson was big enough to support a pro event. Diegel's discussions coincided with the financial collapse of the El Paso Open, and in January 1945, Tucson was inserted into El Paso's spot, making it the third stop on tour. The tournament was called the Victory Bond Tucson Open for one year in 1946. The 1945 tournament included amateur Babe Didrickson Zaharias. "The Babe" was believed to be the only woman to compete on the PGA Tour before former Wildcat Annika Sorenstam teed it up in the 2003 Colonial. "The Babe" finished 39 shots off the lead, but ahead of five men in the 47-player field.

1951-1965

After Diegel's death in 1951, decorated Army Air Corps veteran and World War II prisoner of war Ricki Rarick formed the Tucson Golf Association. Rarick, a golfer from Iowa, and the TGA nurtured the tournament through 1965. ... During this time, the event moved from El Rio to the Forty Niner Country Club in 1963, and finally to Tucson National in 1965. ... Rarick (aka Mr. Tucson Golf) is credited with starting the first junior golf program in the city. ... A change in name to the Home of the Sun Invitational in 1961 was not generally accepted, and lasted just one year. ... The Tucson Conquistadores hosted a Sports Award banquet in conjunction with the tournament from 1963-1994. ... The group brought Heisman Trophy running back O.J. Simpson to town in 1968.

1966-1975

In 1972, Tucson Conquistadore Manny Drachman took a trip to Hollywood and convinced Dean Martin to host the Tucson Open. The Dean Martin Tucson Open brought national television coverage and an entourage of celebrities through 1975. Johnny Miller began his run of three straight titles in 1974, also winning in 1975 and 1976. He recorded his fourth win in Tucson in 1981, the most of any golfer. At the age of 40, Miller Barber became the oldest golfer to win the Tucson Open in 1972. The distinctive Conquistadores helmet made its debut in 1968, presented to Canadian George Knudson. The first helmet was made of black steel. Today's design features gold plating and engraving. For years, the trophy was made in Spain. It now is manufactured in Tucson.

1976-1983

NBC assumed title sponsorship in 1976. Baseball great Joe Garagiola hosted the Joe Garagiola Tucson Open from 1977 through 1983, and sports celebrities joined the ranks of special guests at the tournament's pro-am. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, portions of the tournament were played at the Randolph North Golf Course. Tom Watson donated a portion of his earnings to the Conquistadores in 1978 and 1984, presenting $1,000 of his $40,000 check in 1978 to youth charities, and $5,000 from his $100,000 winnings in 1984 to junior golf.

1984-1996

Corporate sponsorship came to play in 1984, and the Seiko Tucson Matchplay Championship brought big money and excitement through 1986. The tournament returned to stroke play in 1987 as the Seiko Tucson Open, and the purse soared to $600,000 — double the total from 1983. Northern Telecom/Nortel took the tournament over the $1 million mark during its tenure from 1988 through 1996 when the event was known as the Northern Telecom Tucson Open, the Northern Telecom Open and Nortel Open. Starr Pass Golf & Country Club came into the picture in the late 1980s and through the first half of the 1990s. Former UA golfer Robert Gamez captured the 1991 Tucson title in his first event after turning pro.

1997-2006

In 1997 and 1998, the Tucson Chrysler Classic took the tournament to the $2 million level for the purse. The Touchstone Energy Tucson Open followed with four years of success and raised the purse to the current amount of $3 million. DaimlerChrysler brought the Chrysler brand back in 2003, and continues as title sponsor through this year. In 2005, the field established a tournament record with 54 eagles, breaking the old mark of 52 posted in 2004. Fuzzy Zoeller's parting shot after missing the cut in 2001 left one youngster with a big grin. Zoeller, approached about buying a raffle ticket by the youth, whipped out a $100 bill and told the boy to put his own name on the tickets.