Jim Holtgrieve is winding down a competitive career that has lasted over 6 decades
(USGA photo)

ST. LOUIS, MO (October 26, 2017) - Jim Holtgrieve announced recently that his active tournament career will be winding down after his win at the Metropolitan Senior Amateur.

“I’ve got to be honest,” Holtgrieve says. “I’m going to be 70 in December. I’ve talked to a lot of my old competitor friends as regards to what golf is all about now. I’ve been a competitor since I was 8 or 9 years old.

“I’ve tried to go out and have fun. The game is taking on a different light for me now. I really enjoy it. I want to compete, but I’m not comfortable competing.”

One of St. Louis’ top amateurs, Holtgrieve captured the 25th Metropolitan Senior Amateur on his home track of Westborough Country Club. Holtgrieve had rounds of 69 and 70 for a 3-over-139 total to earn the win. He also won it 10 years ago when he returned to the amateur ranks.

In the 1970s and ’80s, Holtgrieve numbered among the best amateur players in the country. He qualified for the 1978 U.S. Open; won Walker Cup squads in 1979, 1981 and 1983; served on two victorious World Amateur Team Championship editions in 1980 and 1982; and became a semifinalist at the 1980 U.S. Amateur, a runner-up in the 1983 British Amateur and the winner of the 1981 U.S. Mid-Amateur – the first one ever played.

In 2013, AmateurGolf.com did a feature interview with Holtgrieve as he was preparing to captain the USA Walker Cup team for the second straight time.