Vinny Giles
FullnameMarvin M. Giles III
Birth dateJanuary 4, 1943 (age 83)
Birth placeLynchburg, Virginia, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
CollegeUniversity of Georgia
University of Virginia
StatusAmateur
MastersT22: 1968
Usopen17th: 1973
OpenDNP
PgaDNP

Marvin McCrary "Vinny" Giles III (born January 4, 1943) is an American amateur golfer. He is best known for winning the U.S. Amateur, British Amateur and U.S. Senior Amateur, one of only two men to have accomplished the feat, the last at age 66.

Career

In 1943, Giles was born in Lynchburg, Virginia.[1] He studied at the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia.[2] In 1966, he graduated from the University of Georgia where he was a three-time All-American on the golf team.[3] Three years later he graduated from the University of Virginia Law School.[4]

Giles finished second in the U.S. Amateur three straight years, 1967 to 1969, before finally winning in 1972. This was in the stroke play era. His victory in the British Amateur came in 1975. He won numerous other amateur tournaments, including seven Virginia State Amateurs as well as three Virginia Open titles.

Giles played on four Walker Cup teams: in 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975. His team won three times and he captained the 1993 team to victory. He also played on three victorious Eisenhower Trophy teams (1968, 1970, 1972) and captained the 1992 team to a runner-up finish.

Giles played in 11 professional majors, making the cut in three of his nine Masters Tournament appearances and in both U.S. Open appearances. He was low amateur in the 1968 Masters Tournament (tied for 22nd) and in the 1973 U.S. Open (17th). He was also low amateur in three U.S. Senior Opens: in 1993, 1996, and 1997.

Giles served on the Executive Committee of the Virginia State Golf Association for over 20 years and then was first an Associate Director and then a Director of the Southern Golf Association for three years. Giles is also the owner and president of a golf management firm which represents such golfers as Tom Kite, Davis Love III, Lanny Wadkins, Bobby Wadkins, Beth Daniel, and Meg Mallon.

Personal life

Giles lives in Richmond, Virginia.

Awards and honors

  • In 1976, Giles was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.[5]
  • In 1984, Giles was inducted into the Southern Golf Association Hall of Fame.[6]
  • In 2016, Giles was inducted into the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame[7]

Tournament wins

Results in major championships

Tournament1968196919701971197219731974197519761977
Masters TournamentT22LACUTT38CUTCUTT34CUTCUTCUT
U.S. OpenT6617LA

Note: Giles never played in The Open Championship or PGA Championship

LA = low amateur
CUT = missed the half way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place.

U.S. national team appearances

Amateur

References

  1. ^ Elliott, Len & Kelly, Barbara (1976). Who's Who in Golf. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House. p. 71. ISBN 0-87000-225-2.
  2. ^ White, John (1989). Chronicles of the Episcopal High School in Virginia, 1839-1989. Dublin, New Hampshire: William L. Bauhan. p. 344. ISBN 978-0-87233-100-6. LCCN 89039957. OCLC 20356179. Retrieved 2024-02-24. – via Archive.org (registration required)
  3. ^ "2024-25 Media Guide". Georgia Bulldogs. p. 42.
  4. ^ "2007 USGA Senior Amateur:- A Look At The Quarterfinalists". USGA. Archived August 27, 2008 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ^ "Class of 1976: Vinny Giles". Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Archived October 21, 2006 at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ^ "Marvin M. Giles, III: 1984". Southern Golf Association Hall of Fame. Archived February 19, 2003 at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ^ "Vinny Giles". Virginia Golf Hall of Fame.
  8. ^ "Past Winners". Society of Seniors.