Bobby Jones American amateur golfer and lawyer Date of Birth: 17.03.1902 Country: USA

1. Biography of Bobby Jones
2. Early Life and Golf Career
3. Education and Other Successes
4. Personal Life and Legacy

Biography of Bobby Jones

Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was an American amateur golfer and lawyer, and is considered the most successful player in golf among amateurs who have ever competed at the national and international level. From 1923 to 1930, he not only dominated the most prestigious amateur competitions but also competed against professional golfers, surpassing stars like Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen.

Early Life and Golf Career

Jones' father, Robert Jones, instilled a love for golf in him at an early age. Despite frequent illnesses, Jones never gave up, and this resilience would later help strengthen his spirit. He quickly became a prodigy on the golf course, winning his first junior tournament at the age of 6. At 14, he reached the quarterfinals of amateur competitions.

In 1916, Jones won the Georgia State Amateur Championship at the private social club "Capital City Club" in Brookhaven. He received training from professional golfer Stewart Maiden, a native of Carnoustie, Scotland. Jones also frequently played with his father, who was skilled with a golf club. Although young Robert sometimes struggled to control his emotions on the course, he eventually became a more experienced golfer.

From 1917 to 1918, Jones traveled extensively across the United States, participating in exhibition matches. In 1919, he competed in the Canadian Open in Hamilton, Ontario, where he narrowly missed out on victory to J. Douglas Edgar. The following year, at the age of 18, Jones made his debut in the U.S. Open, celebrating his first victory in the tournament in 1923. In 1930, he became the second and last golfer to win both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur Championship in the same year.

Education and Other Successes

Beyond the golf course, Jones achieved success in academia. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech in 1922, followed by a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Harvard College in 1924. In 1926, Jones enrolled in the Emory University School of Law and passed the Georgia State Bar exam after three semesters. He later joined his father's law firm in Atlanta.

Jones made the decision to retire from competitive golf at the age of 28 but continued to excel as a golf instructor and product designer. In 1933, he launched his own golf project and founded the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club. Throughout his sporting career, Jones played in 31 major tournaments, winning 13 times and finishing in the top ten 27 times.

Personal Life and Legacy

Jones married Mary Rice Malone in 1924, whom he had met while attending Georgia Tech in 1919. The couple had three children: Clara, Robert Tyre III, and Mary Ellen. In 1948, Jones was diagnosed with syringomyelia, a neurological disorder characterized by the formation of cavities in the spinal cord. He experienced chronic pain and eventually became confined to a wheelchair. On his deathbed, Jones was baptized by Monsignor John D. Stapleton, the pastor of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta. He passed away on December 18, 1971. His wife followed him in death in 1975.

In 1974, Bobby Jones was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. His legacy as one of the greatest amateur golfers of all time continues to inspire generations of golfers worldwide.