Jim Holtgrieve returns to form with victory at Meadowbrook
It was like finding a long forgotten pair of slippers at the back of the closet. For many in the St. 
Louis golf community, Tuesday’s outcome at the Metropolitan Senior Amateur was a perfect, comfortable fit.
St. Louisan Jim Holtgrieve, for more than two decades the dominant amateur in the region, won his first amateur title since earning reinstatement as an amateur in May of this year. In fact, it was his first amateur win since 1997.
After nearly a decade as a professional on the Champions Tour, Holtgrieve returned to the familiar world of amateur golf … and the winner’s circle.
Holtgrieve posted rounds of 75-72-147 at Meadowbrook Country Club to win the 15th playing of the Metropolitan Senior Amateur. Holtgrieve won by six strokes over Whitmoor’s Bill Koob (pictured below right with MAGA President Stan Grossman) (78-75-153) and Gateway National’s Jim Dunn (81-72-153). Gateway National’s David Lucks finished 
fourth with rounds of 75-79-154.
Since the 1970s, no male golfer has been as dominant or successful as Holtgrieve was in his prime. A winner of nearly all amateur events in the region, including the 1994 Metropolitan Amateur and the 1997 and 1998 Taylor Cup – Holtgrieve was one of only a handful of St. Louis amateurs to make a successful jump to the national level. After winning the 1981 USGA Mid-Amateur, Holtgrieve earned distinction while competing on three Walker Cup teams, two World Amateur teams, and advancing to the championship match of the British Amateur. His performance also earned invites to three Masters and the U.S. Open.
In 1998, at 50, Holtgrieve considered turning professional and ultimately made his professional debut in front of a supportive crowd
at the Boone Valley Classic. He finished T13 in his debut. In eight seasons of professional golf, he earned just over $1.6 million. . But in 2005, he sought to resume a career as an amateur. In May of 2007, the USGA granted his request for reinstatement.
Carrying his own clubs, the 59-year-old businessman was solid throughout on a very challenging Meadowbrook layout. He shared the first round lead with Norwood’s David Estes and Lucks. The long-hitting Holtgrieve systematically pulled away from his closest pursuers in the final round.
Holtgrieve mixed birdies at Nos. 6, 9, 11 and 15 with bogeys at 7, 8, 10 and 12. Lucks managed to stay within striking distance after birdieing the par-5 11th hole to trim Holtgrieve's lead to just one shot. However, the outcome became evident after Lucks made triple bogey at the 186-yard 13th hole.
Estes, winner of the 1997 and 1998 Metropolitan Amateur titles, struggled in with an 82 in the final round and finished 10 behind Holtgrieve.
That's not to suggest the conclusion was easily reached. At least, not in Holtgrieve's opinion.
"I was extremely nervous out there," he said. "I remember competing in the Walker Cup and the World Teams and there was certainly a nervousness that you experience, but you got over it once you got into the round. Your tenacity and desire to compete took over."
Holtgrieve said his Champions Tour experiences were marred by nerves and self-doub. "I really thought I could compete on Tour and make a bunch of money," he said. "It was so hard to accept that I wasn’t able to do it. I put alot of pressure on myself and I just didn't handle it that well."
That's not completely accurate. Holtgrieve came within a stroke of winning the 1999 Home Depot Classic in Charlotte. But there weren't enough occasions where he was able to string three good rounds together.
"I had a great time on Monday through Thursday, competing in pro-ams and clinics,” he said. “There was a lot of laughter and fun. But on Friday, I’d see the out of bounds or the trouble. I wasn’t playing free and easy. A lot of people out there and many of my friends would say, ‘Jim, you can’t get out of your own way.’"
One of the game's most tenacious and intimidating amateurs in the U.S. said he was losing the joy and exhileration of competing. "Lanny Wadkins said I had stopped trying to win," Holtgrieve added.
Now, just two months short of turning 60 and back competing as an amateur after having to sit out for two years while awaiting amateur reinstatement, Holtgrieve appears eager to compete, to contend, to win. "I would like to win a Senior Amateur," he said.
For now, the Metropolitan Senior Amateur's George F. Meyer Trophy will fit perfectly on the mantel.
The 116-player event also included gross and net competitions in age flights.
Winners included: 50-54 (pictured below left): Gross: Dennis Clarke, Boeing Employee Golf Club 76-79-155; Net: Pat Croghan, Gateway National 77-71-148; 55-59 (pictured below center): Gross: Ron Beckner, Mid Rivers 74-79-153; Net: Chuck Spencer, Wolf Hollow 72-72-144; 60-64: Gross: Bill Heidbrink, Annbriar 82-76-158; Net: Dave Lough, Normandie 75-70-145; 65-plus: Gross: Rich Peer (pictured below right), Boeing Employee Golf Club 75-78-153; Net: Bill Comfort, Algonquin 66-76-142.
Special thanks to the Members and Staff of Meadowbrook
The Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association wishes to thank the members and staff of Meadowbrook Country Club for their timely and stellar support of the event. Special thanks to Mike Carron, Golf Course Superintendent; Craig Liddle, Head Professional; and Jim Bahlinger, General Manager.
The event wrapped up a successful 2007 MAGA season, which included 20 events and more than 1,500 entries. The Association staff wishes to thank our volunteers who spent countless hours working to make the tournament program fair and enjoyable for the competitors.