What does it take to make your workouts and golf game 18STRONG? Join us as Jim Holtgrieve shares stories from his days of playing in the Masters and his experiences playing in and being the Captain of the Walker Cup. Jim gives us an inside look into what it’s like to be a part of such historic Golf Events.
Jim Holtgrieve has had quite a career as a golfer. Not only has he played in tournaments like the Masters and Walker Cup several times, but maybe even more memorable to him is the time that he spent as the Walker Cup Captain in 2011 and 2013, leading some of todays biggest names in golf to experiences of the game that they will never forget.
In this episode, Jim shares some incredible stories from the Masters, the Walker Cup, and some of the time he has shared with Mr. Arnold Palmer himself.
You Can Subscribe to the 18STRONG Podcast on iTunes by clicking the button below:
Jim Holtgrieve’s Background
- 1981 USGA Mid-Amateur Champion
- 1983 British Amateur Runner Up
- Played in 5 Masters
- Played in 3 Walker Cups
- Captain of the Walker Cup in 2011 & 2012
- Turned professional in 1998 to play in the Champions’ Tour
- Grew Up in St. Louis, MO
Highlights from this Episode
- Jim gives us the history of his playing career and how he was able to make it into 5 Masters, 3 Walker Cups and Captain the Walker Cup teams in 2011 and 2013.
The Masters:
- He played in his first Masters at age 31.
- Jim had the chance to play his opening round (in his second Masters) with Arnold Palmer
- Jim tells a great story about the 1st time he had the chance to play with Arnie (he has since played a total of 97 holes with “Mr. Palmer”)
- Jim tells the story of the greatest day of putting he has ever had, which just happens to be at Augusta during the Masters when playing with Frank Nobilo
The Walker Cup:
- 2011 Walker Cup included: Jordan Spieth, Harris English, Russell Henley, Blayne Barber, Nathan Smith, Chris Williams, Patrick Cantlay, Peter Uihlein, Patrick Rodgers, Kelly Kraft
- 2013 Walker Cup included: Cory Whitset, Justin Thomas, Max Homa, Michael Kim, Patrick Rodgers, Jordan Niebrugge, Nathan Smith, Michael Weaver, Todd White, Bobby Wyatt
- Jim talks about the experience of taking the 2013 team to the 9/11 Memorial in New York
- The 2013 team got to spend time with George W. Bush, which really instilled the pride of playing for their country.
- Jim discusses some of the differences that may have contributed to the 2013 Teams victory, despite not being quite as “stacked” as the 2011 team
- Jim explains the selection process for the Walker Cup team.
Most Disappointing/Frustrating Golf Memory:
The decision to turn professional late in his career. Jim explains that his reasons for turning pro were not necessarily for the love of the game but the financial possibilities.
Most Memorable Golf Moment:
1981 Walker Cup on the 16th hole at Cypress Point. He hit a 2 iron off the tee (240+ yards) to 2 feet. He birdied the hole for the winning point of the Walker Cup
Caddy Shack or Happy Gilmore?
Caddy Shack
