Bill Campbell, distinguished amateur golfer and former USGA presidents, dies

FAR HILLS, N.J. – William Campbell, a former U.S. Amateur champion who played on eight Walker Cup teams and later served two years as president of the U.S. Golf Association, has died. He was 90.

The USGA said Campbell died Friday at his home in Lewisburg, W.Va.

Campbell was USGA president from 1982-83 and served on its executive committee for 10 years. In 1987 he became only the third American to be elected captain of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club in St. Andrews, and the only man to have led both of golf's governing bodies.

Campbell served in the Army during World War II, graduated Princeton in 1947 and remained an amateur golfer his entire career. He competed in the U.S. Amateur for 33 straight years, winning in 1964. He also won the U.S. Senior Amateur twice and the North & South Amateur four times.

He played on eight Walker Cup teams from 1951 to 1975, never losing a singles match and never playing on a losing team. He was the playing captain in 1955. As an amateur, Campbell had 14 appearances in the U.S. Open and 17 appearances in the Masters.

"Mr. Campbell was one of the game's great champions and finest gentlemen," USGA executive director Mike Davis said. "His contributions to amateur golf and to the USGA have been many and profound."

Campbell was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1990.