Jay Sigel Leaves Lasting Impact on Golf World
4/23/2025 8:46:00 AM | Men's Golf
Sigel is one of the most decorated amateurs in golf history.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest University and the Winston-Salem community celebrate the life and legacy of Jay Sigel, a proud Demon Deacon and one of the most accomplished amateur golfers in the history of the sport.
A native of Pennsylvania, Sigel came to Wake Forest in 1962 on the prestigious Arnold Palmer Scholarship. He played a key role in the rise of Wake's historic men's golf program, helping lead the Deacs to one of its first ACC Championships in 1963.
During his collegiate career from 1962-65, Sigel earned All-American honors and quickly distinguished himself as one of the nation's elite amateur golfers. He captured the ACC individual title as a sophomore in 1963 and was named a second-team All-American in 1964.
Following his graduation, Sigel's amateur career soared to extraordinary heights. He won back-to-back U.S. Amateur titles in 1982 and 1983 and captured three U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships. A cornerstone of American amateur golf, Sigel played in a record nine Walker Cup matches—twice serving as captain—and appeared in 33 matches overall, winning 18, losing just five, and halving 10.
He remains the only golfer in history to win both the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Mid-Amateur in the same year, and one of just three players to win two USGA championships in a single year.
Sigel also competed with distinction in the game's biggest events. He played in 11 Masters Tournaments, making the cut four times and earning low amateur honors three times. He was the low amateur once in five appearances at the U.S. Open and again in one of his two British Open starts.
At age 50, Sigel turned professional and joined the Senior PGA Tour (now PGA Tour Champions), winning eight times, including the 1996 Energizer Senior Tour Championship.
Outside the ropes, Sigel was a past president of The First Tee of Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Scholastic Golf Association, and his annual Sigel Charity Invitational at Aronimink Golf Club and all philanthropic efforts has raised more than $5.1M for cancer research. In 2004, he sold CBIZ, the insurance agency he ran for several decades.
Upon graduation the Sigel family created the Jay Sigel Golf Endowment Fund. It is currently held by sophomore Tom Harber and has been awarded to Kyle Reifers, Charles Harrison, Andrew Winters, Paul McBride, Parker Gilliam and Mark Power. Sigel is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty, three daughters, Jennifer ('95, MBA '01), Amy ('97) and Megan, and six grandchildren.
What They're Saying:
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Head Men's Golf Coach Jerry Haas:
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"Jay Sigel is one of the most heralded golfers to ever play this game. He made his mark as an amateur golfer and a savvy businessman. He was one of Coach Haddock's first recruits in the early 60s. After an incredible Amateur career, second maybe only to Bobby Jones, he turned pro at the age of 50 and won eight times on the Champions tour and won over $9 million dollars. What's most impressive though, besides all of his great golf accolades, is what a tremendous human being he was. Kind, tough, but fair and there's a reason he's in the Wake Forest Hall of Fame. Wake seems to bring out the best as the class individuals and competitors this great University produces."
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Vice President & Director of Athletics John Currie:
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"Jay Sigel was the epitome of a Demon Deacon – an elite competitor, a leader in his profession and community and a true representative of the Pro Humanitate spirit of Wake Forest University. Throughout his business career he continued to invest in Wake Forest, helping create an early endowment program and inspiring other alumni Deacon golfers to contribute to sustaining future opportunities for the players of tomorrow. As a young Deacon Club staff member in the 1990s, I personally appreciated Jay's kindness, patience and willingness to be present and an ambassador for Wake Forest University no matter how busy he might be. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Betty, and his family during this difficult time."
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Wake Forest Legend Curtis Strange:
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"Best career amateur since the great Bobby Jones. But, better man."
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Wake Forest Legend Lanny Watkins:
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"As great a champion as Jay was, he was an even better person. He loved golf, Wake Forest and put his family first…always!"
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Players Mentioned
