Seated directly behind Nicklaus , 83 , was a young Virginian enjoying another of the greatest days a college golfer could ever experience .

In May , Otto Voettiner had played a vital role in helping St Andrews capture a national championship , then was invited by the president and athletic director of St Andrews to give a speech at the ceremony honoring Nicklaus .

Voettiner spent the day with Nicklaus , his wife , Barbara , and Trevino , accompanied Nicklaus on the traditional parade through town and had dinner with him . The cherry on top was getting to carry the scoreboard for Justin Thomas a couple of days later in the 150th Open Championship .

“ It was all unbelievable ,” Voettiner said , “ so cool to be in the presence of someone so incredible . We talked about his experiences at St Andrews , which he said was his favorite place on Earth . I ’ m paraphrasing , but he

said he could never give back to St Andrews what the town had given him . The amount of true love the town has for him is incredible . He was overwhelmed , very emotional .”

Voettiner ’ s name is likely unfamiliar to you . Growing up , however , the Haymarket native captured a Bobby Bowers Memorial , led Battlefield High School to four straight conference titles and one regional championship , qualified for and played in the U . S . Junior Amateur , and enjoyed a solid career at William & Mary .

Upon graduating in 2021 , Voettiner entered the University of St Andrews , taking advantage of a joint program between the two schools . He was ensured a place on the student golf “ first ” team , a deal sweetened by a scholarship .

What followed was a scenario Nicklaus would have relished .

The Saints compete in the British Universities and College Sports ( BUCS ) division and play across Europe in the Royal & Ancient Elite Student Tour . St Andrews lost one match all season — to the University of Sterling . The Saints went on to qualify for the national finals at Woodhall Spa National Golf Centre in Lincolnshire .

The opponent : Sterling .

“ They were stacked ,” Voettiner said , running down a list of adversaries that included the British Men ’ s and Women ’ s Amateur champions , the Scottish Women ’ s Amateur champion , and a couple of players on the Irish National team . “ We were outgunned .”

Despite a 1-up victory for Voettiner and partner Megan Ashley in alternate shot foursomes , St Andrews trailed at the break 2.5 to 1.5 . In the afternoon singles matches , St Andrews trailed the whole way before catching fire down the stretch . The decisive hole was the reachable par-5 18th .

Voettiner , playing No . 2 , was in a greenside bunker in two ; his opponent was on the green , 25 feet from the eagle that would salt away the title . Amazingly , Voettiner got up and down for birdie , holing a 16-footer ; his opponent three-putted , missing from six feet . The halve , and St Andrews making birdie on the same hole moments later , gave the Saints a national championship and a final memory of his competitive career .

That ’ s because at age 24 , Voettiner is retiring , opting for life in New York and a career in finance .

He will not , he said , reverse his decision .

“ Golf was my life for 18 to 20 years ,” he said . “ As far back as I can remember I ’ ve had a golf club in my hand , trying to be the best I could be . My experience at St Andrews , playing with the best kids in the world , showed me how incredible they were . This was such great closure for me , being at St Andrews , giving a speech at St Andrews , carrying the scoreboard for Justin Thomas , walking with him . The whole year put such a bow on my career .”

A year that , indeed , sounds very much like a gift .

COURTESY OTTO VOETTINER