Jim Kite
About Jim Kite
Baseball was Jim Kite’s first sport, as he played Army West Point and then spent time in the New York Yankees’ farm system. But after a well-timed heckle forced him out of the sport for good, Kite founded a ham-curing business and picked up golf during that time. What followed was one of the most successful careers in Virginia amateur golf.
Crowning Moment…
In 1987, Kite reached the championship match of the U.S. Senior Amateur, falling to John Richardson at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, Pa.
14
VSGA Championships, tied for third on the VSGA’s all-time wins list behind only Keith Decker (34) and Vinny Giles (15)
7
Victories in the VSGA Senior Four-Ball Championship
1994
Was named the recipient of the inaugural VSGA Senior Golfer of the Year award
6
Club championships won at Greene Hills Club in Stanardsville, where he was a founding member
Achievements & Media
Special thanks to the USGA, PGA Tour, VSGA, MAPGA, WVGA and inductee family members for contributing photos and videos to this project.
Statistics
Date of Birth: November 12, 1943
Date of Death: October 30, 2020
VSGA championships won
1972: Four-Ball
1978: Mid-Amateur
1988: Senior Four-Ball
1989: Senior Stroke Play
1991: Senior Four-Ball
1992: Senior Four-Ball
1993: Senior Four-Ball
1994: Senior Four-Ball, Senior Stroke Play
1995: Senior Four-Ball
1996: Senior Four-Ball
2000: Senior Stroke Play
2006: Super Senior Amateur, Super Senior Stroke Play
Accomplishments and awards
Pitched for Fork Union Military Academy, leading it to the 1950 state military championship. Also pitched for Army West Point and in the New York Yankees’ farm system
Founder of Kite’s Hams, which has been in business for more than 65 years and now cures approximately 18,000 hams per year
Won a combined 31 championships between his time as a member at Greene Hills Club and Farmington Country Club
Won the 1970 Kenridge Invitational
