CHRIS LANG
One of America ’ s premier annual interregional team matches is set to tee off on October 15 at The Virginian Golf Club in Bristol . Over the span of a weekend , the Captain ’ s Putter Matches will pit top amateurs from Virginia and West Virginia ( the Virginias team ) in golf competition against their counterparts from North and South Carolina ( the Carolinas team ).
Each team features 14 regulars , eight seniors , and two super-senior team members — 24 all-stars playing for a total of 48 points in this year ’ s competition , a Virginias home match at The Virginian Golf Club in Bristol .
Although in a considerably dimmer spotlight than its international cousins the Ryder , Walker , Curtis , and Presidents Cup matches , the Captain ’ s Putter also places excellent golfers who are used to playing as individuals in the role of representing more than themselves . While the stage may be different , the excitement is the same .
Major champion Rory McIlroy spoke for these folks when , in reference to team competitions , he said he “ relishes the responsibility of playing for something bigger than myself .”
The Captain ’ s Putter started in 1955 and has been eagerly awaited every year by the four states ’ finest golfers ever since . Nationally prominent Virginians and West Virginians such as Vinny Giles , Lanny Wadkins , Tom McKnight , Bill Campbell and Keith Decker have represented their states over the years against the likes of Carolinians Billy Joe Patton , Chip Beck , Paul Simson and Scott Harvey . Virginian and former U . S . Amateur and Senior Amateur champion Giles leads all golfers in years played on a Captain ’ s Putter squad .
Vinny Giles is one of many nationally prominent Virginians to have played in the Captain ’ s Putter Matches .
The winning Virginias team at the 2020
Captain ’ s Putter Matches .
. org S EPTEMBER / O CTOBER 2022 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 27