Holtgrieve Gets 2013 WC Captaincy

[John Blain]

Apologies if this has already been posted. Holtgrieve getting the nod can't really be a surprise to anyone who follows this stuff as it seems the modern day captaincy is a two-term deal.

http://www.usga.org/news/2011/November/Holtgrieve-Appointed--13-Walker-Cup-Captain/

[Patrick_Mucci]

JP,

It was a surprise to me then and it's a surprise to me now.

It seems contrary to everything the USGA has espoused/deified about the amateur golfer for the last 100 years.

[Ronald Montesano]

Wouldn't you call JH's attempt at a senior pro career "amateurish"? I think he is the essence of the "amateur," given that perspective.

[Bob_Huntley]

I must say that Pat has hit it on the head. It would seem as though Mr. Holtgrieve is being given the keys to the kingdom. His futile attempt to cash in on the Champions Tour should have disqualified him from even been considered for this honor.

Bob

[Ronald Montesano]

Fine...try this on: times change.

[Scott Stearns]

Holtgrieve has been tireless in promoting the walker cup among the players that have been condidered for the team.  His 2011 team played well and the honor is well deserved. 

[Patrick_Mucci]

Fine...try this on: times change.

But principle and integrity don't

[Mark Johnson]

I guess the question would be who should captain instead.

While I agree with Pat,  attracting someone to the position, who will also encourage top college players to play is difficult.   With the potential changes to PGA tour q-school, it will be even harder to convince a top amateur to delay his pro career.

Here is my short list for potential captain (and it is a short list)

Danny Green
George Zahringer
Tim Jackson

[Ronald Montesano]

what do principle and integrity have to do with naming him Captain? he has a noteworthy amateur record. is professional golf the dark side that some would have it be labeled? the older I get, I'm still amazed that people want to make golf and life this or that, one or the other, no middle ground, no chance to rejoin what was previously known. Holtgrieve didn't need the captaincy to validate who he is. No one does. he is taking two more years out of his life to serve the USGA.

[Keith OHalloran]

He got his amateur status back after 122 professional events? What. Criteria do they use to make that decision?

[Patrick_Mucci]

what do principle and integrity have to do with naming him Captain?

Are you sure that you don't want to rethink or retract that question ?  ?  ?

he has a noteworthy amateur record.

So do legions of other golfers


is professional golf the dark side that some would have it be labeled?

It is when you're talking about a premier international amateur event

the older I get, I'm still amazed that people want to make golf and life this or that, one or the other, no middle ground, no chance to rejoin what was previously known.

Life is all about decisions.
And I think the USGA didn't make a good one.

Holtgrieve didn't need the captaincy to validate who he is.

Sure he does.
It makes him relevant in amateur golf

No one does. he is taking two more years out of his life to serve the USGA.

Ron,

I served the USGA for close to 20 years and enjoyed every moment of it.
It was NO sacrifice, it was an enjoyable experience.
If it was a labor, it was a labor of love.

Perhaps by studying the history of amateur golf in America, the Walker Cup and the USGA, you'll get a better sense of where folks like Bob Huntley and myself are coming from.

As to the sacrifice that being named Captain of the Walker Cup brings, I think I could name a few hundred thousand people who would gladly make that sacrifice.

[jeffwarne]

He got his amateur status back after 122 professional events? What. Criteria do they use to make that decision?

125 is the absolute limit

I heard a rumor that some of the balls produced today go pretty far too

[Mike_Trenham]

Give the job to Arnold Palmer.  Really he would be a better choice at this point. 

Hey if you turn professional accept it.  There is nothing wrong with being a professional, being a carpetbager is another story.

Do any of the big-time amature invitationals exclude past professionals from the field?

[Chris Roselle]

JP,

It was a surprise to me then and it's a surprise to me now.

It seems contrary to everything the USGA has espoused/deified about the amateur golfer for the last 100 years.

Patrick, would you feel the same way if Jay Sigel was named Captain again (he was the playing captain in 1985 if I remember correctly)

[Steve Lapper]

Fine...try this on: times change.

But principle and integrity don't

They have to exist at the USGA level in order to not change!

[JESII]

There are very few people any of us would rather have our sons play for as captain of a Walker Cup team than Jim Holtgrieve.

While I agree that this is an extremely high honor in itself, the primary role of the selection committee should be to find a good leader for the team made up (of late anyway), of 17 - 21 year old kids...and Jim Holtgrieve is that!

[Chris Roselle]

There are very few people any of us would rather have our sons play for as captain of a Walker Cup team than Jim Holtgrieve.

While I agree that this is an extremely high honor in itself, the primary role of the selection committee should be to find a good leader for the team made up (of late anyway), of 17 - 21 year old kids...and Jim Holtgrieve is that!

Well said Jim.  Jim's son, Scott, and I played on the same collegiate golf team and I agree with you that he is the perfect candidate to lead a team that will most likely be comprised of college golfers...

[Patrick_Mucci]

JP,

It was a surprise to me then and it's a surprise to me now.

It seems contrary to everything the USGA has espoused/deified about the amateur golfer for the last 100 years.

Patrick, would you feel the same way if Jay Sigel was named Captain again

ABSOLUTELY

The Captaincy should go to a career amateur, and not someone who competed on the PGA Tour

(he was the playing captain in 1985 if I remember correctly)

He turned Pro in 1993-1994