A Storied
History
1981
1981 U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco
Crosby, 19 years old at the time, won the 1981 U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, defeating Brian Lindley in 37 holes despite being 4 down with 10 holes to play. Crosby’s 20-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole decided the longest final in 31 years. He was chosen that year’s Florida Sportswriters Amateur Athlete of the Year.
1982
1982 U.S. Open Low Amateur
Crosby was the low amateur in the 1982 U.S. Open, finishing 59th at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links.
1982
Played on the Victorious World Amateur Team Championship
Crosby represented the winning USA Team in the World Amateur Team Championship at Lausanne (Switzerland) Golf Club with Holtgrieve, Lewis and five-time USGA champion Jay Sigel, another future Walker Cup captain. Crosby’s final-round 68 helped the USA post a seven-stroke victory over Japan and Sweden.
1982
Porter Cup Champion
The 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.
1983
Played on the Victorious USA Walker Cup Team
In the USA’s 1983 victory at Hoylake, Crosby compiled a 1-1 record, losing a singles match to A. Philip Parkin, 6 and 4, and winning a foursomes match with 1982 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion William Hoffer.
1984
Crosby at The Masters
Crosby played in the Master tournament from 1982-1984. He played on the European Tour from 1985-1987. He served on the board of the Monterey Peninsula Golf Foundation from 1985-2002.Crosby, who played professionally in the U.S. and Europe, regained his amateur status in 1994. He has competed in seven USGA championships, including four U.S. Amateurs.
2005
University of Miami Hall of Fame Inductee
In 2005, Crosby was inducted into the University of Miami’s Hall of Fame.
2019
Captain: Victorious USA Walker Cup Team
“Nathaniel Crosby has proven experience as an amateur player at the highest levels in both individual and team competition, and this will lend itself well to providing leadership for the USA Walker Cup Team in 2019,” said Stuart Francis, USGA Championship Committee chairman.”
2021
Captain: Victorious USA Walker Cup Team
“Nathaniel’s previous Walker Cup experience and guidance proved to be the right mix to lead the 2019 team to victory,” Stuart Francis, USGA Championship Committee chairman, said in a story at USGA.org. “Our players experienced life lessons from a true gentleman and competitor, and we are excited to have him lead the team again at Seminole.”
“In his second and final stint as captain, the 59-year-old son of late entertainer Bing Crosby orchestrated quite the show, as his team of American players descended on famed Seminole Golf Club, conquered everything in its path from a stout Great Britain and Ireland side to a stomach virus, and exited with the 19-pound, sterling-silver trophy after a 14-12 victory in the 48th Walker Cup.”
