Construction began on the championship course at Mesa Verde Country Club in 1958 under the supervision of golf course designer William Francis Bell, and was officially opened in January 1959.

Later that same year, the inaugural Orange County Open took place, which was won by Jay Hebert.

The fourth and final tournament was held in 1962, and was won by Tony Lema after a grueling three-hole sudden death playoff with Bob Rosburg.

Lema celebrated his victory by providing free champagne to members of the press in the clubhouse, a promise he had made the day before contingent upon winning.

As a result of this and Lema's dashing good looks, the press dubbed him Champagne Tony from that day forth.