Jay Sigel
Encyclopedia
Robert Jay Sigel is an American
professional golf
er. He enjoyed one of the more illustrious careers in the history of U.S. amateur golf
, before turning pro in 1993 at age 50, when he became a member of the Senior PGA Tour, now known as the Champions Tour
.
, he grew up playing golf at Aronimink Golf Club
in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. He attended high school
at Lower Merion High School
in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. From there he moved on to Wake Forest University
, where he was a member of the golf team, and graduated with a degree
in Sociology
in 1967.
, while competing in high-level amateur golf. Sigel developed his own successful insurance business in the Philadelphia area for over 30 years. He recently sold the business to Century Business Services, where he remains a Senior Vice President. He is a Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant and a qualifying life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He also sits on the Corporate Advisory Board for the American Cancer Society
, and is the president of the Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Golf Association and the First Tee of Philadelphia chapter. He hosts the Annual Jay Sigel Invitational Golf Tournament at his home course, Aronimink Golf Club
. The proceeds from this tournament benefit prostate
cancer research
at the University of Pennsylvania
. He has three daughters and currently resides in Berwyn, Pennsylvania with wife Betty.
and U.S. Mid-Amateur, competed on nine Walker Cup
teams, and won numerous other amateur titles. In 1983, he became the only golfer ever to win the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur in the same year, which made him only the third golfer to win two USGA
individual titles in the same year. He was also runner-up in the Canadian Amateur Championship
that year. Although he remained an amateur he did occasionally compete in professional events. His best finish was tied 18th at the 1979 IVB-Philadelphia Golf Classic
.
. He has career earnings of over $9 million. Since joining the Champions Tour in 1994, Sigel has been sponsored by global management consulting and technology services company Accenture
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er. He enjoyed one of the more illustrious careers in the history of U.S. amateur golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, before turning pro in 1993 at age 50, when he became a member of the Senior PGA Tour, now known as the Champions Tour
Champions Tour
The Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
.
Early years
Born and raised in Bryn Mawr, PennsylvaniaBryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Bryn Mawr from Welsh for "big hill") is a census-designated place in Lower Merion Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, just west of Philadelphia along Lancaster Avenue and the border with Delaware County...
, he grew up playing golf at Aronimink Golf Club
Aronimink Golf Club
Aronimink Golf Club is a private country club located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Its championship golf course is consistently rated among the top 100 golf courses in the United States. In 2010, Aronimink was ranked #4 among the toughest courses on the PGA Tour by Links Magazine. The club has...
in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. He attended high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
at Lower Merion High School
Lower Merion High School
Lower Merion High School, is an American public high school in Ardmore, a community on the Pennsylvania Main Line.It is the larger of the two high schools in Lower Merion School District, which serves both Lower Merion Township and the Borough of Narberth. It was ranked among the top 60 U.S. high...
in Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. From there he moved on to Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
, where he was a member of the golf team, and graduated with a degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in Sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
in 1967.
Business career and personal life
Sigel was considering a professional golf career while in college, but injured his arm in an accident. He decided on a career in insuranceInsurance
In law and economics, insurance is a form of risk management primarily used to hedge against the risk of a contingent, uncertain loss. Insurance is defined as the equitable transfer of the risk of a loss, from one entity to another, in exchange for payment. An insurer is a company selling the...
, while competing in high-level amateur golf. Sigel developed his own successful insurance business in the Philadelphia area for over 30 years. He recently sold the business to Century Business Services, where he remains a Senior Vice President. He is a Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant and a qualifying life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He also sits on the Corporate Advisory Board for the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
, and is the president of the Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Golf Association and the First Tee of Philadelphia chapter. He hosts the Annual Jay Sigel Invitational Golf Tournament at his home course, Aronimink Golf Club
Aronimink Golf Club
Aronimink Golf Club is a private country club located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Its championship golf course is consistently rated among the top 100 golf courses in the United States. In 2010, Aronimink was ranked #4 among the toughest courses on the PGA Tour by Links Magazine. The club has...
. The proceeds from this tournament benefit prostate
Prostate
The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system in most mammals....
cancer research
Cancer research
Cancer research is basic research into cancer in order to identify causes and develop strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatments and cure....
at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. He has three daughters and currently resides in Berwyn, Pennsylvania with wife Betty.
Amateur golf highlights
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Sigel was one of America’s premier amateur golfers. He compiled victories in the U.S. Amateur, British AmateurThe Amateur Championship
The Amateur Championship is a golf tournament which is held annually in the United Kingdom. It is one of the two leading individual tournaments for amateur golfers, alongside the U.S. Amateur...
and U.S. Mid-Amateur, competed on nine Walker Cup
Walker Cup
The Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland...
teams, and won numerous other amateur titles. In 1983, he became the only golfer ever to win the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur in the same year, which made him only the third golfer to win two USGA
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the Rules of Golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system...
individual titles in the same year. He was also runner-up in the Canadian Amateur Championship
Canadian Amateur Championship
The Canadian Amateur Championship, begun in 1895, is the men's amateur golf championship of Canada. It is staged annually by the Royal Canadian Golf Association. It was played at match play until 1968, went to stroke play beginning in 1969, and reverted to match play in 1995...
that year. Although he remained an amateur he did occasionally compete in professional events. His best finish was tied 18th at the 1979 IVB-Philadelphia Golf Classic
IVB-Philadelphia Golf Classic
The IVB-Philadelphia Golf Classic was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It was played at the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania from 1963 to 1980.-Winners:IVB-Golf Classic*1980 Doug Tewell...
.
Professional golf
Sigel turned professional when he reached the age of 50. He joined the Senior PGA Tour in 1994 and won Rookie of the Year honors, when he earned 14 top-10 finishes and secured his first victory at the GTE West Classic. For the next five seasons, he finished in the top-31 on the Senior Tour money list. He won eight events; the last was the 2003 Bayer Advantage Celebrity Pro-Am. In the 2004 Champions Tour season, Sigel finished in the money in all 28 tournaments that he entered and had six top-10 finishes. During the 2005 campaign his best finish was 5th at the Turtle Bay ChampionshipTurtle Bay Championship
The Turtle Bay Championship was a golf tournament on the Champions Tour from 1987 to 2008. The tournament was founded in 1987 as the GTE Kaanapali Classic when it was played at Kāʻanapali on the island of Maui.-History:...
. He has career earnings of over $9 million. Since joining the Champions Tour in 1994, Sigel has been sponsored by global management consulting and technology services company Accenture
Accenture
Accenture plc is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company headquartered in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. It is the largest consulting firm in the world and is a Fortune Global 500 company. As of September 2011, the company had more than 236,000 employees across...
.
Amateur wins
this list may be incomplete- 1975 Porter CupPorter CupThe Porter Cup is a 72-hole, medal-play elite amateur golf tournament held annually at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, New York. It was first played in 1959 and over the years has hosted some of the biggest names in golf...
- 1976 Sunnehanna AmateurSunnehanna AmateurThe Sunnehanna Amateur, officially the Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions, is a men's amateur golf tournament. Founded in 1954, it is hosted annually at the Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States...
- 1978 Sunnehanna AmateurSunnehanna AmateurThe Sunnehanna Amateur, officially the Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions, is a men's amateur golf tournament. Founded in 1954, it is hosted annually at the Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States...
- 1979 British Amateur
- 1981 Porter CupPorter CupThe Porter Cup is a 72-hole, medal-play elite amateur golf tournament held annually at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, New York. It was first played in 1959 and over the years has hosted some of the biggest names in golf...
- 1982 U.S. Amateur
- 1983 U.S. Amateur, U.S. Mid-Amateur
- 1984 Northeast AmateurNortheast AmateurThe Northeast Amateur is an amateur golf tournament played annually at the Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, Rhode Island. It was first played in 1962.-Winners:*2011 Peter Uihlein*2010 Joseph Bramlett*2009 Dan Woltman*2008 Brendan Gielow...
- 1984 Northeast AmateurNortheast AmateurThe Northeast Amateur is an amateur golf tournament played annually at the Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, Rhode Island. It was first played in 1962.-Winners:*2011 Peter Uihlein*2010 Joseph Bramlett*2009 Dan Woltman*2008 Brendan Gielow...
, U.S. Mid-Amateur - 1984 Porter CupPorter CupThe Porter Cup is a 72-hole, medal-play elite amateur golf tournament held annually at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, New York. It was first played in 1959 and over the years has hosted some of the biggest names in golf...
, U.S. Mid-Amateur - 1988 Sunnehanna AmateurSunnehanna AmateurThe Sunnehanna Amateur, officially the Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions, is a men's amateur golf tournament. Founded in 1954, it is hosted annually at the Sunnehanna Country Club in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, United States...
- 1991 Northeast AmateurNortheast AmateurThe Northeast Amateur is an amateur golf tournament played annually at the Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford, Rhode Island. It was first played in 1962.-Winners:*2011 Peter Uihlein*2010 Joseph Bramlett*2009 Dan Woltman*2008 Brendan Gielow...
Other wins
this list may be incomplete- 1975 Philadelphia Open ChampionshipPhiladelphia Open ChampionshipThe Philadelphia Open Championship is an annual golf tournament played in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. It is organized by the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It has been played annually since 1903 at member clubs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It was considered a PGA Tour...
- 1977 Philadelphia Open ChampionshipPhiladelphia Open ChampionshipThe Philadelphia Open Championship is an annual golf tournament played in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. It is organized by the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It has been played annually since 1903 at member clubs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It was considered a PGA Tour...
- 1978 Philadelphia Open ChampionshipPhiladelphia Open ChampionshipThe Philadelphia Open Championship is an annual golf tournament played in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. It is organized by the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It has been played annually since 1903 at member clubs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It was considered a PGA Tour...
- 1980 Philadelphia Open ChampionshipPhiladelphia Open ChampionshipThe Philadelphia Open Championship is an annual golf tournament played in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. It is organized by the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It has been played annually since 1903 at member clubs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It was considered a PGA Tour...
- 1986 Philadelphia Open ChampionshipPhiladelphia Open ChampionshipThe Philadelphia Open Championship is an annual golf tournament played in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. It is organized by the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It has been played annually since 1903 at member clubs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It was considered a PGA Tour...
- 1987 Philadelphia Open ChampionshipPhiladelphia Open ChampionshipThe Philadelphia Open Championship is an annual golf tournament played in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. It is organized by the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It has been played annually since 1903 at member clubs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It was considered a PGA Tour...
Champions Tour wins (8)
- 19941994 Senior PGA TourThe 1994 Senior PGA Tour was the 15th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 37 official money events with purses totalling $29,150,000, including four majors. Lee Trevino won the most tournaments, six...
(1) GTE West Classic - 19961996 Senior PGA TourThe 1996 Senior PGA Tour was the 17th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 39 official money events with purses totalling $37,400,000, including four majors. Jim Colbert won the most tournaments, five...
(1) Energizer Senior Tour Championship - 19971997 Senior PGA TourThe 1997 Senior PGA Tour was the 18th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 38 official money events with purses totalling $41,750,000, including four majors. Hale Irwin won the most tournaments, nine...
(2) Bruno's Memorial Classic, Kroger Senior Classic - 19981998 Senior PGA TourThe 1998 Senior PGA Tour was the 19th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 38 official money events with purses totalling $45,850,650, including four majors. Hale Irwin won the most tournaments, seven...
(2) Bell Atlantic Classic, EMC Kaanapali Classic - 20022002 Senior PGA TourThe 2002 Senior PGA Tour was the 23rd season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 35 official money events with purses totalling $58,205,000, including four majors. Bob Gilder and Hale Irwin won the most tournaments, four...
(1) Farmers Charity ClassicFarmers Charity ClassicThe Farmers Charity Classic was a golf tournament on the Champions Tour from 1986 to 2004. It was played in Grand Rapids, Michigan area, first at the Elks Country Club , then at The Highlands , and finally at the Egypt Valley Country Club in nearby Ada.The purse for the 2004 tournament was... - 20032003 Champions TourThe 2003 Champions Tour was the 24th season since the Champions Tour officially began in 1980 as the Senior PGA Tour. The season consisted of 31 official money events with purses totalling $53,600,000. For the first time, the Senior British Open was recognized as a Champions Tour major, bringing...
(1) Bayer Advantage Celebrity Pro-Am
Other senior wins
- 1997 Diners Club Matches (with Gil MorganGil MorganGilmer Bryan Morgan II, OD is an American professional golfer.Morgan was born in Wewoka, Oklahoma. He graduated from East Central State College in Ada, Oklahoma in 1968. In 1972, Morgan earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee before turning...
) - 2006 Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions Championship (unofficial Champions Tour event)
U.S. national team appearances
Amateur- Walker CupWalker CupThe Walker Cup is a golf trophy contested biennially in odd numbered years between teams comprising the leading amateur golfers of the United States and Great Britain and Ireland...
: 1977 (winners), 1979 (winners), 1981 (winners), 1983 (winners), 1985 (winners), 1987 (winners), 1989, 1991 (winners), 1993 (winners) - Eisenhower TrophyEisenhower TrophyThe Eisenhower Trophy is a biennial world amateur team golf championship for men organized by the International Golf Federation. It is named for Dwight D. Eisenhower, the President of the United States when the tournament was first played, who was a keen amateur golfer. Recent tournaments have...
: 1978 (winners), 1980 (winners), 1982 (winners), 1984, 1986, 1988, 1992