Vanier inducted into NCGA Hall of Fame

Gary Vanier, who lives part of the year in Tetonia in eastern Idaho, was inducted into the Northern California Golf Association Hall of Fame, in a ceremony that was held at Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, Calif. on September 23, 2021.

Gary won the 2019 PNGA Super Senior Men’s Amateur (pictured), and has played very well in Idaho championships, winning the Idaho Senior Men’s Amateur three times (2017, 2018, 2020), while finishing second in that championship in 2019 and 2021.

In all, Gary, now 70, has been winning tournaments over six decades.

He first got exposed to the game when, around the age of 10, he began caddying for his father, Vince. Eventually, Gary began developing his own game, and was largely self-taught.

Gary went on to play at Stanford, where from 1969-1972 he and teammate and fraternity roommate (and future World Golf Hall of Famer) Tom Watson helped lead the Cardinal to a conference title in 1970.

Following a brief stint as a professional after college, Gary, who would become a stock broker, returned to amateur golf and began carving out his legacy.

Staying in California, he won 10 San Francisco City and City Senior titles combined, nine Alameda Commuters and Senior titles, numerous Southern California Golf Association wins, a 1982 California Amateur win paired with a 2007 California Senior Amateur title.

His NCGA crowns include a 1997 NCGA Amateur title and 10 senior titles. He was named NCGA Senior Player of the Year and twice a Super Senior Player of the Year.

An impressive record. It’s something he’s proud of. And something we’re in awe of.