Jay Sigel, arguably the greatest American amateur golfer in the post-World War II era, died on Saturday from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81.
Sigel, a Berwyn, Pennsylvania, resident who spent his winters in south Florida, claimed consecutive U.S. Amateur titles in 1982-83 at age 38 and 39, respectively, in an era that was being dominated by collegians. Only three other mid-amateur golfers have won the U.S. Amateur since 1980.
Sigel also captured three U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships and competed on a record nine U.S. Walker Cup teams, serving as playing captain in two of those appearances (1983 and 1985). Only Great Britain and Ireland’s Joe Carr (10) competed in more Walker Cups, and no one won more matches in the biennial competition than Sigel (18).
Outside of his national championships, Sigel won the Porter Cup, Northeast Amateur and Sunnehanna Amateur three times each and the Pennsylvania Open four times.
After turning 50, Sigel turned pro, joined PGA Tour Champions and won eight tournaments including the 1996 Energizer Senior Tour Championship. But it is his distinguished amateur career that established Sigel as one of golf’s greatest champions.
“He was a dear friend and somebody that we will remember forever, and take a lot of inspiration from,” said Kevin Hammer, the USGA’s president-elect who had become close with Sigel and his family over the past 20 years. “Best amateur since Bobby Jones hands down.” READ MORE
The day after a disappointing finish at the 2025 Masters, Bryson DeChambeau returned to Pinehurst No. 2, the site of his 2024 U.S. Open triumph, for the dedication of a plaque to commemorate the bunker shot on the 18th hole that helped him clinch victory.
The plaque was installed next to the greenside bunker from which DeChambeau blasted a 55-yard shot to within a few feet of the hole. With his ensuing par putt, DeChambeau secured a one-stroke victory over Rory McIlroy.
The plaque is headlined by a quote from DeChambeau: “The shot of my life.” READ MORE
Harbour Town Golf Links – site of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage tournament in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, that concluded Sunday – will soon close for a six-month restoration project on which five-time Heritage champion Davis Love III will serve as the player consultant.
The restoration will make improvements to agronomy and maintenance of the course, while preserving the classic shot values and design. Greens, bunkers and bulkheads will be rebuilt as well.
“An older caddie will say, ‘Hey, it’s more like the original,’ but the player who’s only played one tournament might not notice a whole lot of difference. It’s going to be very subtle,” Love told PGATour.com. READ MORE
The Georgia PGA has established a tournament at historic East Lake Golf Club to honor the memory of Drew Dunn, East Lake’s former director of golf who died suddenly in 2022 at age 41. Called “The Drew,” the 18-hole tournament for Georgia PGA section professionals will be held on Nov. 3 and will award $50,000 to the champion, the largest individual prize in section history.
“This tournament is a tribute to Drew’s legacy and everything he represented – professionalism, character, and the belief that golf can change lives,” said Georgia PGA CEO Scott Geary. “Drew’s story is remarkable – from starting as a caddie at East Lake to ultimately becoming its director of golf.” READ MORE
Tap-Ins
The Annika Foundation has selected five women as 2025 ambassadors for the Annika Development Program: Carolina López-Chacarra (Wake Forest), Hannah Darling (South Carolina), Louise Rydqvist (South Carolina), Katie Lu (Michigan State) and Caitlyn Macnab (Mississippi). The program is designed to support recent graduates of U.S. college golf programs as they transition into professional golf. READ MORE
Henry Oelhafen, a Vanderbilt University junior, was named the recipient of the 2025 Ron Balicki Scholarship for aspiring golf journalists and will receive a $5,000 grant. READ MORE
Mizuno Golf has opened a custom-fitting and research-and-development facility called The Foundry, located at The Standard Club in Johns Creek, Georgia. The facility will offer a tour-level fitting experience to all golfers and a full-service Build Shop modeled after Mizuno’s Tour Workshop. READ MORE
Dick Sullivan, executive chairman and CEO of PGA Tour Superstore, will retire from his day-to-day CEO role later this summer. Sullivan will remain CEO until a new leader is in place and then continue as executive chairman. PGA Tour Superstore operates 76 stores in 28 states and an online retail business. READ MORE
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America named Chris Ortmeier, director of agronomy at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, and Clinton Tingen, superintendent at Sandhill Crane Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, recipients of its Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award. The award, presented in partnership with the Toro Co., recognizes individuals who have demonstrated growth in advocacy and advancement of the GCSAA priority issues agenda through outreach and relationship development with a member of Congress. READ MORE
Compiled by Mike Cullity