Back To The Future:
Jim Holtgrieve Set To Resume Amateur Career

By Bill Burton

It’s been almost 30 years since the legend of Jim Holtgrieve developed and began flourishing in St. Louis golf.

Amateur golfers might want to prepare themselves for part two of the Jim Holtgrieve saga. After nearly two
decades as the area’s most prominent amateur, Holtgrieve has spent much of the past decade competing
on golf’s senior professional tour.

In what could be a great shot in the arm for amateur golf, “The Griever” will officially return to the area’s
amateur circuit starting in June when the United States Golf Association once again grants him his
full amateur standing.

Exhibiting the charisma and daring of one of his idols, Arnold Palmer, Holtgrieve captured the fancy
of St. Louis golf fans with his prodigious length and aggressive style in the 1970s. Those characteristics
wowed fans and intimidated opponents in local and state championships. Holtgrieve popularized the use of
a 1-iron as a driving weapon and used the club with length and deadly accuracy.

His ability to overpower courses and opponents started in the 1970s in St. Louis District Golf
Association events and continued with the multiple victories in Missouri Amateur and Metropolitan
Amateur Golf Association events through the 1980s and 1990s. During the early 1980s, Holtgrieve’s
acclaim advanced well beyond the shadow of the Arch, however.

Holtgrieve enhanced his national stature when he won the inaugural USGA Mid-Amateur Championship
in 1981 at Bellerive. Holtgrieve, then a 33-year-old businessman, was integral in the creation of the event
for career amateurs aged 25 and older, and played a role in securing the event for Bellerive in September 1981.
When he beat Ohioan Bob Lewis Jr., 2 up in the first-ever event, he was able to add a USGA national
championship to a resume that remains rivaled by few in St. Louis golf history.

In his prime, during the 1980s, Holtgrieve played in four Masters, making the cut twice, and made the
cut twice at Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Invitational in Dublin, Ohio. In 1980, representing the United States
at the World Amateur Team Championship at Pinehurst, Holtgrieve helped the U.S. to a dominating win
over 38 nations. His 285 total finished third behind Hal Sutton and Taiwan’s T.C. Chen. That same year,
Holtgrieve advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur before dropping a 3&2 decision to Sutton.

In 1983, Holtgrieve advanced to the championship of the British Amateur before losing to Wales’ Philip Parkin.
The wins and high finishes afforded Holtgrieve the opportunity to represent the United States in three Walker Cup matches.

In 1998, at age 51, Holtgrieve elected to take a stab at professional golf on the Senior PGA Tour
(now the Champions Tour). He debuted at the 1998 Boone Valley Classic, posting a T13 to earn $22,750.
It was the first check in an eight-year tour career that totaled $1,395,002 in earnings.

While he had numerous top 20 finishes in his 122 pro starts, his fourth start, at the 1999 Home Depot
Invitational in North Carolina, was his finest. Holtgrieve finished play with the lead only to watch as
Bruce Fleisher birdied to pass him by a shot at the 54 th hole.

Now, as he approaches age 60, Holtgrieve is intent on resuming a full amateur slate of events, both
locally and outside the area. He has no plans to tip-toe back into amateur golf.

“I’m not coming back to play senior golf,” said Holtgrieve. “I want to test myself against these young guys.
I still think and hope I can be competitive.”

Holtgrieve’s interest in returning to the amateur ranks includes an opportunity to hold one of golf’s most
prestigious honors, captain of the United States Walker Cup team. Holtgrieve’s amateur record and his
connections with some of the prominent members of the United States Golf Association have put him
on a short list of future candidates. Recent conversations with USGA President Walter Driver convinced
Holtgrieve the honor could be his if he returned to the amateur ranks. “Walter said this year’s selection
came down between Buddy Marucci and me.

“I think my chances are pretty good,” Holtgrieve said. “I would think that might not happen until 2011 though.”

Marucci, named captain of the 2007 U.S. team that will play at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland
later this year, will likely retain the captaincy in 2009, or so Holtgrieve surmises.

“The matches come to Merion in 2009 and Buddy’s a member there,” Holtgrieve said. “That would only make
sense that he’d serve as captain at Merion. So I would think my first real opportunity would not come until
2011 when the matches return to Great Britain and Ireland.”

In the meantime, St. Louis golfers will get a glimpse of Holtgrieve at the Metropolitan Amateur Championship,
and Mid-Amateur and Senior Amateur qualifiers. One of his first appearances will be at the USGA Senior
Open qualifier, June 18 at Bellerive.

“I’m planning to play the Metropolitan and state events and perhaps a few four-ball events,” said Holtgrieve
who now works for TRG/Callaway, a golf accessories manufacturer in Maryland Heights.

“I’m looking forward to having some fun,” Holtgrieve added. “I remember Jimmy Jackson won
amateur events over five decades, so it’s not unprecedented. I am expecting to be competitive.
I want to see just how I stack up against these guys now. There are some great young players
out here and I want to see for myself if I still have it.”

Bill Burton is the Director of Marketing/Handicap Services for the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association
and a long-time contributor to golf publications in St. Louis. He can be reached at bill@metga.org.