Jay Sigel, the man widely regarded as one of the greatest American amateur golfers, died of pancreatic cancer, the U.S. Golf Association announced on Sunday.
Sigel died on Saturday at the age of 81.
The amateur golfer had two U.S. Amateur titles and three U.S. Mid-Amateur victories to his name, while also participating in nine Walker Cup matches and being named captain twice.
The Bryn Mawr, Pa. native captured 10 state amateurs and four state opens, while winning three times each at the Porter Cup, Sunnehanna Amateur and Northeast Amateur.
“He was a dear friend and somebody that we will remember forever, and take a lot of inspiration from,” USGA president-elect and chair of the Championship Committee Kevin Hammer said in an obituary. “Best amateur since Bobby Jones hands down.
“Not only was his career as an amateur – and as a professional [on the PGA Tour Champions] — incredibly successful and legendary, but he [also] participated alongside all of the members [at Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla.] in team matches, supported the club, helped the juniors and just was inspirational at every level. His legacy extends far beyond his playing credentials, which are extraordinary.”
Sigel was also the low amateur at the Masters three times and once at the U.S. Open and the Open Championship.
He had planned to turn pro originally back when he competed for Wake Forest, but he injured his arm during his sophomore year in a freak accident in which his left hand went through a pane window and required 70 stitches.
The injury resulted in a nine-day stay at the hospital and led Sigel to reconsider his hopes of going pro, and he instead started an insurance business.
“I always thought things happen for a reason,” Sigel said. “The hand injury was the best thing to happen to me.”
Sigel did turn pro later in life at the age of 50 and went on to win eight PGA Tour Champions events.
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