Vinny Giles wins U.S. Senior Amateur crown

Richmonder Vinny Giles sank an 18-foot, downhill birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the United States Golf Association Senior Amateur Championship today at Beverly Country Club in Chicago.

Giles, 66, became the second player to win the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Senior Amateur titles. The first was William Campbell. Giles won the 1972 U.S. Amateur after finishing as the runner-up from 1967-69. His victory today set a record for the most years between USGA titles.

Giles defeated John Grace of Fort Worth, Texas, 1-up. Giles and Grace were teammates on the 1975 Walker Cup team. Grace had a 16-foot birdie attempt to extend the match but missed the putt.

“I really thought it would go extra holes, but I’m not surprised,“ Grace told Ken Klavon of the USGA. “He’s been making those all his life.“

After sinking his putt, Giles gave an emphatic fist pump and ran around the green.

“I was more excited there than I have ever been,“ Giles told Klavon. “The only thing I hadn’t done is win a USGA Senior Amateur. I’ve done it. I’m done. I’ve done everything in golf I’ve wanted to.“

With the victory, Giles captures an exemption into the 2010 U.S. Senior Amateur and U.S. Senior Open.

Giles won a record seven VSGA State Amateur titles. He’s won the State Senior twice and won the 1993 State Open.

He will be part of the Virginia Legends of Golf fund-raising event with Lanny and Bobby Wadkins, Curtis Strange and Robert Wrenn Oct. 5 at Independence Golf Club in Midlothian.