An hour before the final match, Giles and Grace had breakfast with their wives in the Beverly dining room. They chatted amiably and laughed loudly, as good friends would do. Then they went out and grinded out an absolutely epic match. It was a perfect ending to a perfect week, with a dizzying array of close matches. None, however, had the drama of the finish. Giles looked to have a couple chances to put it away, but missed several putts within ten feet. Grace went ahead on 13, but couldn't hold the lead. In the end, it was Vinny's length and the "wiles of Giles" that put him in position to hit the dramatic putt on the closing hole. In more than just an historical way, it summoned memories of Francis Ouimet being congratulated by his friend, Bobby Jones when Ouimet won the National Amateur at Beverly in 1931, one year after Jones won and retired. The scene definitely had the feeling of history repeating itself or, as Yogi Berra famously said, "deja vu all over again".
As for John Grace, he was a solid and inspiring force all week at Beverly. What he lacked in length, he easily compensated with grit and heart of a real champion. Unfortunately, he came up just short.
I've been through other big golf events, but I have to say that the experience of the Senior Amateur at Beverly was simply remarkable. It was better than being involved in the US Open, for example. Sure, you don't have the buzz of the national media. You don't have tens of thousands of spectators. It isn't on television. Tiger is elsewhere. You get the picture. But, the camaraderie of the players, the esprit d'corps of the USGA rules folks and the easy feeling of fellowship under the cloak of competition was an amazing thing to experience.
As for Vinny, he is a fitting champion for senior amateurs, that's for sure. He is glib, breezy and singularly unaffected by his athletic talent. He's simply a sybarite: he enjoys life and great golf is a big part of his life. We at Beverly will always cherish his victory. In fact, less than twenty minutes after the ball found the bottom of the hole, our Board voted Mr. Giles in as an Honorary Member. When he comes back next summer, he can laugh at his photograph on the wall and regale us with his Southern charm and wit.
Congratulations, Marvin Giles III. You are a good man and a true champion.