A “Major” happening…
Remember when you were in grade school and had a question on a test that said:"Which word (or picture) doesn't belong with the rest?" Try this "test" for the upcoming 2007 U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club.
Which name doesn’t belong?
• Bobby Jones
• Gene Littler
• Arnold Palmer
• Jack Nicklaus
• Lanny Wadkins
• Craig Stadler
• Jerry Pate
• John Cook
• Eric Meeks
• Mark O'Meara
• Hal Sutton
• Scott Verplank
• Billy Mayfair
• Phil Michelson
• Justin Leonard
• Tiger Woods
Hmmm...................perhaps "Mr. Meeks" might jump out for you? Unfortunately, that would be wrong. All the names "belong", because all these players have earned the coveted title of U.S. Amateur Champion. What an incredible lineage of former Champions. In fact, there are many more former champions who's names are instantly recognizable. The U.S. Amateur is truly worthy of the word "Major."
The 2007 event will mark the third time that The Olympic Club will host the U.S. Amateur. In 1958, Charles Coe bested Tommy Aaron 5 & 4, and in a serendipitous finish in 1981, Bing’s son, Nathaniel Crosby, defeated Brian Lindley, 1 up. The first true U.S. Amateur Championship was contested in 1895 at the Newport Country Club in Rhode Island. The winner was Charles B. Macdonald who thumped Charles E. Sands 12 & 11 in the finals. 1895 was also the year the USGA was formed, and also the year of the first U.S. Professional Open. Who made all this happen? The aforementioned Charles Macdonald, that’s who. I guess he wanted to win one of his own tournaments, and he most certainly did! Here’s some other facts about the U.S. Amateur that you might find interesting.
There is no age or gender restriction to play in the U.S. Amateur. However, one is required to possess an index of 2.4 or less to try and qualify for the event.
The youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur was, you guessed it, Tiger Woods at 18, in 1994.
The immortal Bobby Jones won 5 U.S. Amateur Championships. Mr. Woods has three on his resume, Mr. Nicklaus two.
Eleven players have won both the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Open. Among them are Mr. Woods and Mr. Nicklaus, along with Arnold Palmer, Gene Littler, and Jerry Pate. Along with Mr. Jones’ 5 U.S. Amateurs, he collected 4 U.S. Open trophies
The U.S. Amateur, like the U.S. Open, is held on the elite golf courses in America. The Olympic Club certainly exemplifies this. The next three U.S. Amateurs will be at Pinehurst #2, Congressional, and Southern Hills.
Some U.S. Amateur winners seem destined for greatness, but alas did not fulfill their promise. Perhaps the most significant example is Sam Randolph who won the Amateur in 1985, after playing in the 1984 finals, losing to Scott Verplank. Randolph also won the California State Amateur, and was the NCAA Champion when he attended USC. He has primarily languished on the Hogan, Nike, and Nationwide Tours ever since.
Current Champions Tour stand out Jay Sigel won the Amateur back-to-back, in 1982 and 1983. He continued his astounding amateur career until 1994, when he joined the then Senior Tour.
So, enjoy this “Major” right in our own back yard. You no doubt will be seeing the future stars of the PGA Tour, and other tours, on display.
