Marvin M. “Vinny” Giles III (born January 4, 1943) is an American amateur who won both the U.S. Amateur and the British Amateur. Giles, a native of Virginia, graduated from the University of Georgia in 1966, where he was a three-time All-American. He returned to his home state to graduate from the University of Virginia Law School in 1969.
Giles finished second in the U.S. Amateur three straight years while it was played at stroke play (1967 to 1969) before finally winning in 1972. His victory in the British Amateur came in 1975 and won numerous other amateur tournaments, including seven Virginia State Amateurs, as well as three Virginia Open titles.
Four times Giles was chosen for the U.S. Walker Cup teams (1969, 1971, 1973, 1975), winning three times, and captained the 1993 team to victory. He also played on three winning Eisenhower Trophy teams (1968, 1970, 1972) and captained the 1992 team to a runner-up finish.
Giles played in 11 professional majors, making the cut in three of nine Masters Tournament appearances and in both times he played in the U.S. Open. He was low amateur in the 1968 Masters Tournament (T22) and in the 1973 U.S. Open (17th). He was also low amateur in three U.S. Senior Opens (1993, 1996, 1997)
Giles served on the Executive Committee of the Virginia State Golf Association for over 20 years, and then was first an Associate Director and then a Director of the Southern Golf Association for three years. Giles was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Southern Golf Association Hall of Fame in 1984.
He never turned pro and has little regret about his path in life. He always has enjoyed playing golf, but never wanted it to feel like a job.
