R ‘‘ By Dalton Balthaser BEST AMATEUR SINCE BOBBY JONES HANDS DOWN.” Sigel eventually took his talents to Wake Forest University (1962-65), after grad-uating from Lower Merion High School. At Wake Forest, he earned the prestigious Arnold Palmer Scholarship and became an All-American. R. JAY SIGEL , arguably one of the greatest amateurs in the history of golf, a charter member of the GAP Hall of Fame and one of the most well-respected individuals on and off the golf course, died April 19 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 81. “He was a dear friend and somebody that we will remember forever, and take a lot of inspiration from,” said Kevin Ham-mer, the USGA’s president-elect and chair of the Championship Committee who had become close with Sigel and his family over the past 20 years, in a USGA release. “Best amateur since Bobby Jones hands down. “Not only was his career as an am-ateur – and as a professional [on the PGA TOUR Champions] — incredibly successful and legendary, but he [also] participated alongside all of the members [at Delray Dunes Golf & Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla.] in team matches, supported the club, helped the juniors and just was inspirational at every level. His legacy extends far beyond his playing credentials, which are extraordinary.” On the golf course, Sigel’s golf royalty wasn’t limited to Philadelphia. His prow-ess spanned the entire golf world locally, nationally and internationally. There wasn’t an event he entered where he wasn’t on the shortlist of possible cham-pions. He’d prove that to be true across more than 45 years of competition as an amateur and professional. Sigel’s roots in golf began as a caddie at Bala Golf Club. Bala became instru-mental in his development as a young player. Following consecutive Junior Boys’ Championship runners-up (1959-60) and Pennsylvania Golf Association Junior Championship victories (1960-61), ON A STRAIGHT AND NARROW PATH to becoming a professional, Sigel’s trajectory in golf was altered by a freak accident. As Sigel exited his campus residence, his left hand broke through a pane of glass on a swinging door, resulting in 70 stitches. After spending nine days in the hospital, Sigel abandoned his profes-sional aspirations. Sigel’s GAP resume includes: A record six Philadelphia Open Championships, five Joseph H. Patterson Cups, six Silver Cross awards and two Philadelphia Am-ateurs. His national record features two www.gapgolf.org 3
GAP Magazine 2025 R. Jay Sigel Digital Issue: Page 3
