Robert Tyre Jones Jr.

Robert Tyre Jones Jr. (iii Open's, 4 US Opens, ane Amateur, v United states of america Amateur's, 5 Walker Cup'due south, 2 x Walker Cup Helm)

1902 - 1971

Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. (March 17, 1902 – December 18, 1971) was an American apprentice golfer, and a lawyer by profession, who was i of the well-nigh influential figures in the history of the sport. Jones founded and helped design the Augusta National Golf Club, and co-founded the Masters Tournament. The innovations that he introduced at the Masters have been copied by virtually every professional golf game tournament in the world.

Jones was the most successful amateur golfer always to compete at a national and international level. During his peak from 1923 to 1930, he dominated top-level amateur competition, and competed very successfully confronting the globe's all-time professional golfers. Jones oft beat stars such every bit Walter Hagen and Factor Sarazen, the era's top pros. Jones earned his living mainly as a lawyer, and competed in golf merely every bit an amateur, primarily on a part-time basis, and chose to retire from contest at historic period 28, though he earned significant money from golf after that, equally an instructor and equipment designer.

Explaining his decision to retire, Jones said, "It [championship golf game] is something like a cage. Get-go you are expected to get into it and and so you are expected to stay there. Only of class, nobody can stay there."[4] Jones is most famous for his unique "Grand Slam," consisting of his victory in all iv major golf tournaments of his era (the open up and apprentice championships in both the U.S. & the U.K.) in a unmarried calendar twelvemonth (1930). In all Jones played in 31 majors, winning xiii and placing among the meridian x finishers 27 times.

Afterward retiring from competitive golf game in 1930, Jones founded and helped pattern the Augusta National Golf Guild presently afterwards in 1933. He as well co-founded the Masters Tournament, which has been annually staged past the lodge since 1934 (except for 1943–45, when it was canceled due to World War II). The Masters evolved into one of golf game'south four major championships. Jones came out of retirement in 1934 to play in the Masters on an exhibition basis through 1948. Jones played his last circular of golf at East Lake Golf Guild, his abode course in Atlanta, on Baronial 18, 1948. A picture commemorating the event at present sits in the clubhouse at E Lake. Citing health reasons, he quit golf permanently thereafter.

Bobby Jones was often dislocated with the prolific golf course designer, Robert Trent Jones, with whom he worked from fourth dimension to fourth dimension. "People always used to become them confused, and then when they met, they decided each be called something dissimilar," Robert Trent Jones Jr. said. To help avert defoliation, the golfer was called "Bobby," and the golf course designer was called "Trent."[five]

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Jones battled health issues every bit a immature boy, and golf was prescribed to strengthen him. Encouraged by his father, "Colonel" Robert Purmedus Jones, an Atlanta lawyer, Jones loved golf game from the start. He developed chop-chop into a child prodigy, who won his first children's tournament at the age of six at his habitation course at East Lake Golf Club. In 1916, Jones won his first major golf event when he claimed the inaugural Georgia Amateur Championship conducted by the Georgia State Golf Clan at the Uppercase City Social club, in Brookhaven, at age 14. His victory at this event put him in the national spotlight for the starting time fourth dimension. The Georgia Amateur win caught the eye of the United states Golf Association which awarded Jones his first invitation to the U.Due south. Amateur at Merion almost Philadelphia. Jones advanced to the quarterfinals in his kickoff playing in the result.[6]

He was influenced by gild professional person Stewart Maiden, a native of Carnoustie, Scotland. Maiden was the professional at the Atlanta Athletic Club's East Lake Golf game Society, who also trained Alexa Stirling, five years older than Jones simply also a prodigy, at East Lake around the same time.[7] Jones also received golf lessons from Willie Ogg when he was in his teenage years.[eight] Jones played frequently with his father, a skilled player himself. The younger Jones sometimes battled his ain atmosphere on the course, merely later on controlled his emotions every bit he became more experienced.[9] Jones toured the U.S. during World War I from 1917–18, playing exhibition matches earlier big crowds, often with Alexa Stirling and Perry Adair, to generate income for state of war relief. Playing in front of such crowds in these matches helped him, as he moved into national competition a scrap later on.

Jones successfully represented the United States for the first time, in two winning international amateur team matches against Canada, in 1919 and 1920, earning 3 of a possible iv points in foursomes and singles play. In 1919 he traveled to Hamilton Golf and Country Guild, for his first serious competitive activeness exterior the U.S., while in 1920, Engineers Country Order, in Roslyn, Long Isle, hosted the matches. Yet a teenager, he was by far the youngest player in the serial. Jones also played in the 1919 Canadian Open up while in Hamilton, Ontario, performing very well to place tied for 2nd, but 16 shots behind winner J. Douglas Edgar.[10] Edgar had immigrated from England in 1919 to take a club professional's job in Atlanta at Druid Hills Golf Club; Edgar mentored and played frequently with Jones from 1919 to 1921. Edgar was credited by Jones with helping develop his game significantly.[xi]

Jones qualified for his first U.Due south. Open at historic period xviii in 1920, and was paired with the legendary Harry Vardon for the start ii rounds.[12] He won the Southern Amateur three times: 1917, 1920, and 1922.[13]

 Jones with Grand Slam TrophiesAs an adult, he hitting his step and won his commencement U.S. Open in1923. From that win at New York'sInwood Country Gild, through his 1930 victory in the U.S. Amateur, he won 13major championships (every bit they were counted at the time) in 20 attempts. [xiv]  Jones was the first histrion to win The Double, both the U.Southward. and British Open Championships in the same year (1926). He was the 2d (and last) to win the U.S. Open and U.Southward. Amateur in the aforementioned yr (1930), showtime accomplished in1916 byChick Evans. [xv]

Jones is the but player ever to accept won the (pre-Masters) Grand Slam, or all four major championships, in the same calendar year (1930). Jones' path to the 1930 Grand Slam title was:

  1. The Amateur Championship, Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland
  2. The Open Title, Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake, England
  3. U.S. Open, Interlachen Country Club, Minnesota
  4. U.Southward. Amateur, Merion Golf Social club, Pennsylvania

Jones made a bet on himself achieving this extraordinary feat with British bookmakers early in 1930, before the first tournament of the Slam, at odds of 50–i, and nerveless over $lx,000 when he did it.[xvi]

Jones represented the United states in the Walker Cup five times, winning nine of his 10 matches, and the U.South. won the trophy all five times. He served every bit playing captain of the U.Southward. team in 1928 and 1930. He as well won two other tournaments confronting professionals: the 1927 Southern Open and the 1930 Southeastern Open. Jones was a lifelong member of the Atlanta Athletic Club (at the club's original site, at present the East Lake Golf game Social club), and the Capital Urban center Club in Atlanta.

Jones is considered 1 of the v giants of the 1920s American sports scene, along with baseball's Baby Ruth, battle's Jack Dempsey, football's Cherry Grange, and tennis player Bill Tilden.[17] [xviii] [xix] He was the kickoff recipient of the AAU'due south Sullivan Award equally the top amateur athlete in the United States. He is the but sports figure to receive two ticker-tape parades in New York Urban center, the first in 1926 and the 2nd in 1930. Jones is memorialized in Augusta, Georgia, at the Golf Gardens and has the Bobby Jones Expressway, also known every bit Interstate 520, named for him.[xx] [21]

Jones was not only a consummately skilled golfer simply exemplified the principles of sportsmanship and fair play. In the first circular of the 1925 U.South. Open at the Worcester Country Club near Boston, his approach shot to the 11th pigsty's elevated green fell short into the deep crude of the embankment. Every bit he took his stance to pitch onto the green, the head of his club brushed the grass and caused a slight motility of the ball. He took the shot, then informed his playing partner Walter Hagen and the USGA official covering their match that he was calling a punishment on himself. Hagen was unable to talk him out of it, and they continued play. Later on the round and earlier he signed his scorecard, officials argued with Jones but he insisted that he had violated Rule 18, moving a ball at rest after address, and took a 77 instead of the 76 he otherwise would have carded. Jones' self-imposed one-stroke penalty eventually price him the win past a stroke in regulation, necessitating a playoff, which he then lost. Although praised by many sports writers for his gesture, Jones was reported to take said, "You might too praise me for not robbing banks."[22] [23] [24] [25]

A similar upshot occurred in the side by side U.S. Open, played at the Scioto State Social club in Columbus, Ohio. In the second round, after his opening circular put him in 2nd identify, Jones was putting on the 15th green in the face of a potent current of air. After grounding his doodle during address to foursquare up the club face, the brawl rolled a half plow in the wind when Jones lifted the club caput to place it behind the brawl. Although no ane else observed this movement of the ball either, again Jones called a penalty on himself, simply this time Jones went on to win the tournament, the second of his four U.Due south. Open victories.[26] [27]

The USGA's sportsmanship accolade is named the Bob Jones Award in his laurels.

Jones had a unique relationship with the town of St Andrews, Scotland. On his first appearance on the Sometime Course in The Open Championship of 1921, he withdrew after eleven holes in the third round, when he failed to complete the hole (in effect disqualifying himself), and tore up his scorecard, although he finished the round and indeed played the fourth round as well. He firmly stated his dislike for The Old Course and the town reciprocated, saying in the press, "Principal Bobby is just a male child, and an ordinary boy at that." Later, he came to love the One-time Course and the town like few others. When he won the Open up at the Old Course in 1927, he wowed the crowd by asking that the trophy remain with his friends at the Royal and Ancient Golf game Club rather than return with him to Atlanta. He won the British Amateur over The Old Class in 1930, and scored a double eagle ii on the fourth hole (then a par-five, at present a par-four), by holing a very long shot from a fairway bunker.[16] In 1958, he was named a Freeman of the City of St Andrews, becoming only the second American to be so honored, the other existence Benjamin Franklin in 1759. As Jones departed Younger Hall with his honor, the associates spontaneously serenaded him off to the traditional tune of Will Ye No Come up Back Once again? in a famously moving tribute.[28] Today, a scholarship exchange bearing the Jones name exists between the Academy of St Andrews and Emory University, Queen's University, The University of Western Ontario and the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. At Emory, four students are sent to St Andrews for an all-expenses-paid year of study and travel. In render, Emory accepts four students from St Andrews each year. The program, the Robert T. Jones Scholarship, is amongst the most unusual scholarships offered past any university.[29]

Jones was highly successful exterior of golf too. He earned his B.Due south. in Mechanical Applied science from Georgia Tech in 1922 and played for the varsity golf game team, lettering all four years.[two] [30] Jones was a member of the Sigma Blastoff Epsilon fraternity, and the Georgia Phi chapter firm at Georgia Tech is named in his accolade.

He then earned an A.B. in English Literature from Harvard Higher in 1924, where he was a fellow member of the Owl Club. In 1926 he entered Emory University School of Law and became a member of Phi Delta Phi.[ commendation needed ] After only three semesters he passed the Georgia bar exam and subsequently joined his father's police firm, Jones, Evins, Moore and Powell, (predecessor to Alston & Bird), in Atlanta, Georgia.[xiv]

Jones married Mary Rice Malone in 1924, whom he met in 1919 while a freshman at Georgia Tech. They had three children — Clara Malone (1925–1994),[31] Robert Tyre III (1926–1973), and Mary Ellen (b. 1931).[32] [33] [34] [35]

When he retired from golf at age 28, he concentrated on his Atlanta police force do.[36] That same yr, 1930, he was honored with the get-go James E. Sullivan Award, awarded annually by the Amateur Athletic Spousal relationship (AAU) to the nigh outstanding amateur athlete in the United States.

Jones fabricated 18 instructional golf films in Hollywood between 1931 and 1933 in which he coached well-known film stars with golf pointers. The films were pop, and Jones gave up his apprentice status while earning lucrative contract money for this venture. These films were put into storage and were unavailable for decades, but a surviving print was located sixty years after and put into video format for preservation by Ely Callaway, a distant cousin of Jones'due south.

In the early 1930s Jones worked with J Victor Due east (an Australian) of A.K. Spalding & Co. to develop the kickoff set of matched steel-shafted clubs; the clubs sold very well and are however considered amidst the best-designed sets ever made.[12]

Following his retirement from competitive golf game in 1930, and even in the years leading up to that, Jones had get 1 of the most famous sports figures in the globe, and was recognized virtually everywhere he went in public. While certainly appreciative of the enormous adulation and media coverage, this massive attending caused Jones to lose personal privacy in golf circles, and he wished to create a individual golf game club where he and his friends could play golf in peace and quiet. For several years, he searched for a property near Atlanta where he could develop his ain golf club. His friend Clifford Roberts, a New York City investment dealer, knew of Jones's want, became enlightened of a promising property for sale in Augusta, Georgia, where Jones's mother in law[37] had grown up, and informed Jones near it.[38] Jones beginning visited Fruitlands, an Augusta arboretum and indigo plantation since the Ceremonious War era, in the spring of 1930,[xvi] and he purchased it for $70,000 in 1931, with the plan to design a golf grade on the site.[39]

Jones co-designed the Augusta National course with Alister MacKenzie; the new club opened in early 1933. He founded the Masters Tournament, first played at Augusta in March 1934. The new tournament, originally known every bit the Augusta National Invitational, was an immediate success, and attracted almost of the world's summit players right from its start. Jones came out of retirement to play, essentially on an exhibition basis, and his presence guaranteed enormous media attending, boosting the new tournament's fame.[38]

During World War 2, Jones served as an officeholder in the U.Due south. Ground forces Air Forces. His superiors wanted him to play exhibition golf in the U.s., merely Jones was insistent on serving overseas. In 1943 he was promoted to major and trained as an intelligence officer, serving in England with the 84th Fighter Wing, which was part of the Ninth Air Strength. While in England, he made the acquaintance of Full general Dwight D. Eisenhower. Landing in Normandy on June 7, 1944, Jones spent 2 months with a front line segmentation every bit a pw interrogator, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel.[xl] During the war, Jones permitted the U.Southward. Regular army to graze cattle on the grounds at Augusta National. Later, in 1947, he founded Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta and co-designed the course with Robert Trent Jones.

In 1966, the governing lath and membership of Augusta National passed a resolution naming Jones President in Perpetuity.[41]

Jones' grave in Atlanta'due south Oakland Cemetery, with putting greenish, golf balls, and mementos.

Jones played in the first dozen Masters, through 1948, only only in the offset as a competitor. By then, his wellness at age 46 had declined to the stage where this was no longer possible. With his health difficulties, being past his prime, and not competing elsewhere to stay in tournament course, he never truly contended at the Masters, although his scores were usually respectable. These were almost all formalism performances, since his main duty was as host of the outcome. His extraordinary popularity, efforts with the class design, and tournament organization boosted the profile of the Masters significantly. The tournament, jointly run by Jones and Clifford Roberts, made many important innovations which became the norm elsewhere, such equally gallery ropes to control the menstruation of the large crowds, many scoreboards around the course, the use of red / green numbers on those scoreboards to denote under / over par scores, an international field of elevation players, high-caliber television set coverage, and calendar week-long access passes for patrons, which became extremely hard to obtain. The tournament also sought and welcomed feedback from players, fans, and writers, leading to continual improvement over the years. The Masters gradually evolved to being ane of the most respected tournaments in the earth, one of the four major championships.[38]

In 1948, Jones was diagnosed with syringomyelia, a fluid-filled cavity in his spinal cord which caused first crippling pain, and so paralysis; he was somewhen restricted to a wheelchair. He died in Atlanta on December 18, 1971, three days after converting to Catholicism.[34] Jones was baptized on his deathbed by Monsignor John D. Stapleton, pastor of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta, and attended by the Jones family unit[42] was cached in Atlanta's historic Oakland Cemetery. Jones was inducted into the World Golf game Hall of Fame in 1974.[43]

His widow Mary died less than four years later in 1975 at age 72, following the death of their son, Robert T. Jones III, of a heart attack in 1973 at historic period 47.[44] Girl Clara died in 1994 at age 68.[31]

A Short Love Story. Robert Tyre Jones Jr

A Brusk Love Story.

Atlanta: Atlanta Athletic Club, 1973. 16p, illus. wrapps. Tribute by the Atlanta Athletic club, where Jones was a life long member and president. Record of the presentation remarks of Robert Leonard and Bobby Jones Jr. at the Freedom of the City Presentation, Younger Graduation Hall, St. Andrews, Scotland on October..... More

Bobby Jones on Golf. Robert Tyre Jones Jr

Bobby Jones on Golf.

Chelsea, Michigan: Sleeping Acquit Press, 1997. 112p Reprinted edition in 1997 by Sidney Fifty Matthew from the original 1931 edition, foreword by Matthew. D&F J9730. More

Spectator Suggestions for the Masters Tournament. Robert Tyre Jones Jr

The Masters Tournament; Augusta National home of The Masters Golf Tournament. Robert Tyre Jones...

The Masters Tournament; Augusta National home of The Masters Golf game Tournament

Augusta, GA: Augusta, 1952. Foreword by Bobby Jones, Jr. and Clifford Roberts. Illustrated from photographs; map of the Augusta National Golf Course and a programme for a gallery guard technique for oversupply control. (Oblong folio) 9¾x14¼, original gilt-lettered green dogie, internally bound with thin metallic spirals (as issued), all edges..... More than

Down The Fairway. Robert Tyre Jones Jr., O B. Keeler

Down The Fairway.

London: George Allen & Unwin, 1927. 239p, cloth. Foreword by Grantland Rice. Illustrated with plates from photographs. tan and dark-green material lettered in gilt. First UK Merchandise Edition. A archetype golf biography, one of the best e'er written, past the all-time e'er to play the game? Often rated the best..... More

Down The Fairway. Robert Tyre Jones Jr., O B. Keeler

Downward The Fairway.

London: George Allen & Unwin, 1927. 239p, cloth. Foreword past Grantland Rice. Illustrated with plates from photographs. tan and greenish cloth lettered in aureate. First United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland Merchandise Edition. A classic golf biography, one of the best ever written, by the all-time ever to play the game? Frequently rated the all-time..... More

Golf is My Game. Robert Tyre Jones Jr., Bernard Darwin

Golf is My Game.

London: Chatto & Windus, 1961. 270p, cloth. Special Foreword by Bernard Darwin (note this id not in the American version) 1st UK edition. D&J J10030. More

Golf is My Game. Robert Tyre Jones Jr., Bernard Darwin

Golf is My Game.

London: Chatto & Windus, 1961. 270p, cloth 1st UK edition of this classic. D&J J10030. More

Some Tips from Bobby Jones. Robert Tyre Jones Jr

Some Tips from Bobby Jones

London: A.1000. Spalding, ca1935. 31p Illustrated wrappers. Very scarce Jones championship, a must for whatsoever Jones fan. Some tips was as well published in the United States but with a unlike cover of just Jones head and shoulders, the Uk edition hardly ever surfaces. D&J J10630. More

Alister MacKenzie's Augusta Greens In Collaboration with Mr. Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. Dated 1933....

Bobby Jones on Golf. Robert Tyre Jones Jr

Bobby Jones on Golf.

London: Cassel & Visitor Ltd., 1968. 246pp cloth DW Foreword by Charles Price. Illustrated by Anthoney Ravielli UK edition of this masterpiece. D&J J9640. More

Golf is My Game. Robert Tyre Jones Jr

Golf game is My Game.

U.s.a.: Doubleday, 1960. 255pp cloth, DW. Jones own account of The Grand Slam and an account of Golf And so and At present. Excellent status! a archetype. D&J J9970. More than

Spectator Suggestions for the Masters Tournament. Robert Tyre Jones Jr

How to Play Golf. Robert Tyre Jones Jr., Innis Brown

How to Play Golf game.

New York: American Sports Publishing Company, 1935. 158pp. illustrated wrappers. Spalding Athletic Series 4b. More than

Down The Fairway. Robert Tyre Jones Jr., O B. Keeler

Downwards The Fairway.

New York: Minton, 1927. 239p. cloth. Foreword by Grantland Rice. Illustrated with plates from photographs. tan and green material lettered in golden. Outset Trade Edition. A archetype golf autobiography, 1 of the best ever written on one of the best e'er to play the game. Frequently referred to as the..... More

Down The Fairway. Robert Tyre Jones Jr., O B. Keeler

Down The Fairway.

London: George Allen & Unwin, 1927. 239p, textile. Foreword by Grantland Rice. Illustrated with plates from photographs. tan and light-green textile lettered in gilt. First UK Merchandise Edition. A classic golf biography, one of the best ever written, by the best always to play the game? Often rated the best..... More than

Golf is My Game. Robert Tyre Jones Jr., Bernard Darwin

Golf is My Game.

London: Chatto & Windus, 1961. 270p, cloth 1st United kingdom edition of this classic. D&J J10030. More

Some Tips from Bobby Jones. Robert Tyre Jones Jr

Some Tips from Bobby Jones

London: A.Thou. Spalding, ca1935. 31pp Illustrated wrappers. Very scarce Jones title, a must for any Jones fan. D&J J10630. More

The Spirit of St. Andrews. Alister MacKenzie

The Spirit of St. Andrews.

U.s.a.: Sleeping Bear Press, 1995. 268p, illustrated, cloth forewword by Robert Tyre Jones Jr. grit Jacket. Must have for any MacKenzie fan. Far more substantial than "Golf Architecture" published in 1920. First edition, first printing. D&J M2980. More

The Spirit of St. Andrews. Alister MacKenzie

The Spirit of St. Andrews.

Us: Sleeping Bear Press, 1995. 268p, illustrated, cloth forewword by Robert Tyre Jones Jr. dust Jacket. Must have, for any MacKenzie fan. Far more substantial than "Golf game Architecture" published in 1920. First edition, first printing. D&J M2980. More

The Spirit of St. Andrews. Alister MacKenzie

The Spirit of St. Andrews.

New York: Broadway books, 1998. 268p, illustrated, paperback. foreword past Robert Tyre Jones Jr. dust Jacket. Must have, for whatever MacKenzie fan. Far more substantial than "Golf Architecture" published in 1920. showtime printing. D&J M2980. More