With the Walker Cup set for its 50th renewal starting Saturday at Cypress Point, it’s an appropriate time to reflect on Jay Sigel’s impact on the century-old biennial competition – both as a player and as a playing captain.
Sigel, who died in April at age 81, competed on nine teams representing the United States, more than anyone else in history. And in all but one of those, the Yanks emerged victorious.
In addition, no one has played more Walker Cup matches for the U.S. than Sigel (33), won more times (18) or recorded more points (20½).
Equally as celebrated are his triumphs in individual tournaments, which include a pair of U.S. Amateur victories as well as three U.S. Mid-Amateurs and a British Amateur.
“When I think of Jay, I think of what a great golfer he was under pressure,” said Nathaniel Crosby, who played for Sigel in the 1983 Walker Cup and competed against him in elite amateur events before and after those matches. “When he was playing hero golf, he found an extra level of concentration that enabled him to hit 2-irons to the tightest imaginable pins.”
In addition to being on Sigel’s Walker Cup team in 1985, Davis Love III also competed against him as an amateur. And he, too, was awestruck.
“When you drew Jay, it was like going against Tiger Woods,” the 21-time PGA Tour winner said. “I remember one U.S. Amateur when he wore me down even though I was outdriving him by 50 yards.”
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