The man who started it all, Julius Pollock was the first-ever Champion of the West Virginia Amateur Championship. A West Virginian through and through, Pollock was born and raised in Wheeling, where he traveled the state to capture a total of nine State Amateur Championships.

Formerly a Match Play Championship, Pollock won the initial tournament in 1913, which was played at the West Virginia Golf Association’s founding club, Fairmont Field Club. He captured his first victory at the age of 28 by defeating fellow Wheeling golfer, Harold Bloch, 7 and 5.

Over the course of three decades, Pollock went on win three straight Championships from 1913 to 1915, followed by victories in 1919, 1921, 1922, 1924, 1928 and 1931. One of the most established amateur golfers from West Virginia, Pollock won his final title at the age of 47.

The youngest of three children, Pollock was the brother of Emily P. Stifel, an early member of the U.S. Senior Women’s Golf Association. He was also the uncle of Fritzi Stifel, a 10-time WV Women’s Amateur Champion. There was no doubt he was destined to become one of West Virginia’s finest golfers.

Off the course, Pollock was an avid outdoorsman, where he especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. Although he never married, he was admired by his family and loved ones as the light-hearted man who kept everyone smiling.

Julius Pollock will forever be known as the man who began the rich history of the West Virginia Amateur Championship and the West Virginia Golf Association.