Alfred Campanelli

Campanelli started as a caddy at Rhode Island Country Club. His home was a chip shot from the 14th hole at RICC so one can imagine how many holes he played under the cloak of dawn and dusk. All the work paid off early as he helped lead his Barrington High School team to a pair of State Championships.

He might very well be the greatest team player in the history of the RIGA. Along with the nine Mixed Foursomes championships he shared with Betty June Bobel-Stapleton, he won five Four-Ball Championships with Angie Santilli. Campanelli's incredible 14 RIGA team titles were earned in a 15-year period from 1955-1969.

But to limit his accomplishments as just a 'teammate' would be to miss his prowess as on the state's top players for nearly three decades. Truth be told, he won major championships in four different decades (and almost won in a fifth). He won the State Caddy Championship in 1934 and 1935. An 11-time Club Champion at Metacomet Country Club, he was a member of the Tri-States team for 25 years.

In what may be the truest testament of his ability over his career, he won his first State Amateur in 1948 and his second some 16 years later in 1964. For his wins in the State Amateur, Four-Ball and Mixed Foursomes in 1964, Worlds Unlimited named him R.I. Athlete of the Year.