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Bobby Jones, born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia, was an American amateur golfer. He was one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport and was also a lawyer by profession. Jones founded and helped design the Augusta National Golf Club and co-founded the Masters Tournament. He dominated top-level amateur competition during his peak from 1923 to 1930 and competed very successfully against professional golfers, often beating stars such as Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen. Jones earned his living primarily as a lawyer and only competed in golf as an amateur, retiring from the sport at the age of 28.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Tyre Jones Jr. |
| Nickname | Bobby |
| Birth Date | March 17, 1902 |
| Birth Place | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Death Date | December 18, 1971 |
| Profession | Golfer, Lawyer |
| Golf Career | Amateur golfer, 13 major championships, Grand Slam winner |
| Law Career | Practising lawyer in Atlanta, joined father's firm after retirement from golf |
| Other Achievements | Authored books on golf, subject of several biographies, founded Augusta National Golf Club, co-founded Masters Tournament |
| Legacy | Bobby Jones Classic golf tournament, Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation, Robert Tyre Jones Jr. Memorial Lecture of Legal Ethics |
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What You'll Learn
Bobby Jones was a successful amateur golfer
Robert Tyre Jones Jr., commonly known as Bobby Jones, is widely recognised as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 17, 1902, Jones was a child prodigy who won his first children's golf tournament at the age of six. He went on to dominate amateur golf during his peak years from 1923 to 1930, winning numerous championships and competing successfully against the world's top professional golfers.
Jones' golfing prowess was evident from a young age. At just 14 years old, he won the inaugural Georgia Amateur Championship, hosted by the Georgia State Golf Association, which brought him into the national spotlight for the first time. Jones' success continued into his adult years, with notable achievements in various prestigious tournaments. He excelled in both the British and American golfing circuits, winning the British Open, the U.S. Open, and the British and U.S. amateur championships.
Jones' golfing career is highlighted by his achievement of winning the Grand Slam in 1930. This involved winning four major tournaments in a single year: the British Open, the U.S. Open, and the British and U.S. amateur championships. This feat cemented his place in golfing history, and he remains the only golfer to have accomplished this extraordinary Grand Slam. Jones' overall record in major championships is impressive, with 13 victories across the four annual tournaments during his 13 years of competitive play.
Jones' success in golf was not just limited to his playing abilities. He was also an author, writing several books on golf, including "Down the Fairway" (1927), "The Rights and Wrongs of Golf" (1933), and "Golf Is My Game" (1959). He also co-authored "Bobby Jones on Golf" (1966) and "Bobby Jones on the Basic Golf Swing" (1968) with illustrator Anthony Ravielli. Jones' expertise and fame in the golfing world led to various other opportunities, including a series of instructional golf films produced by Warner Brothers in the early 1930s.
While Jones is renowned for his golfing achievements, he was also a lawyer by profession. His legal career, though unconventional, was an important aspect of his life. Jones' involvement in the legal field began well before his retirement from golf in 1930, and he joined his father's firm, Jones, Evins, and Moore, after his golfing career. Jones' legal work included consulting and negotiating contracts, and he was highly successful in this field as well, achieving financial success through his law practice and other ventures.
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Jones was a lawyer by profession
Robert Tyre Jones Jr., commonly known as Bobby Jones, was an American amateur golfer and a lawyer by profession. He was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia, and passed away on December 18, 1971. Jones had a successful golfing career, winning numerous championships and achieving international recognition. However, he chose to retire from golf at the young age of 28 in 1930, having won an impressive 13 major championships.
Jones's legal career began even before his retirement from golf. He joined his father's firm, Jones, Evins, and Moore in Atlanta's Fairlie-Poplar District, where he practised law until his death. Jones's father, "Colonel" Robert Purmedus Jones, was also a respected lawyer and played a significant role in encouraging Jones's golfing journey. Recognising his son's health issues as a young boy, he introduced him to golf as a means of strengthening his health.
Jones's time as a lawyer was unique. Even after his golf career ended, he remained enormously famous, and his ethical standards may have influenced his legal practice. Sidney L. Matthew, a renowned Jones biographer, described Jones's role in the law firm as a "rainmaker," attracting clients but not actively working on cases or litigation. Instead, he contributed through consulting and contract negotiation, including with the iconic company Coca-Cola.
Jones's legal career was longer than his time in golf, and it contributed significantly to his wealth. He was a successful lawyer, an author of golf books, and an investor in the Joroberts Corporation, a holding company for Coca-Cola Bottling in the South. Jones's impact extended beyond his lifetime, with the establishment of the Bobby Jones Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation in 2019, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to raising awareness and finding a cure for Chiari malformation and syringomyelia.
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He was a child prodigy
Robert Tyre Jones Jr., commonly known as Bobby Jones, was a child prodigy. Born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia, Jones took up golf at a young age. He was encouraged by his father, Robert Purmedus Jones, a respected lawyer and former baseball player in Atlanta.
Jones had his first taste of golf in the front yard of his home, located just across the street from the East Lake Country Club. At the age of six, he won his first tournament at the same club, marking the beginning of his golfing journey. Jones's talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly became a child prodigy in the sport.
Jones's health issues as a young boy led to golf being prescribed as a form of therapy. The game helped strengthen him, and he developed a deep passion for it. By the age of 12, Jones was already displaying exceptional skills, and at 14, he achieved a remarkable feat by winning the inaugural Georgia Amateur Championship. This victory brought him into the national spotlight for the first time.
Jones's golfing prowess continued to grow, and he went on to dominate top-level amateur competitions from 1923 to 1930. During this peak period, he competed successfully against renowned professional golfers such as Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen. Jones's achievements in golf are remarkable, and he is recognized as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
In addition to his golfing talent, Jones pursued a career in law. He earned his living primarily as a lawyer and joined his father's firm, Jones, Evins, and Moore, after retiring from golf in 1930. Jones's legal career was notable, and he brought his celebrity status and business acumen to the profession.
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Jones founded and helped design the Augusta National Golf Club
Robert Tyre Jones Jr., commonly known as Bobby Jones, was an American amateur golfer and a lawyer by profession. Jones founded and helped design the Augusta National Golf Club, where his famous putter, Calamity Jane, is on display. He also co-founded the Masters Tournament, introducing innovations that have been replicated by almost every professional golf tournament worldwide.
Jones was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia, and passed away on December 18, 1971. As a child, he struggled with health issues, and golf was initially prescribed as a form of physical activity to strengthen him. At the young age of six, Jones won his first tournament at the East Lake Country Club, located just across the street from his home. By the time he was 14, he was already driving the ball 250 yards and had claimed the Georgia Amateur Championship, propelling him into the national spotlight.
Jones' golfing career was illustrious, with his name being mentioned alongside other golfing greats such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Walter Hagen, and Gene Sarazen. He dominated the amateur golf scene from 1923 to 1930, winning 13 championships during this period, including the British Open, the U.S. Open, and the British and U.S. amateur championships. Jones achieved the Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments of his time in a single year (1930), a feat unmatched until Jack Nicklaus' five major wins in 1973. Jones' golfing prowess earned him worldwide recognition, and he was even honoured with a key to the city of St. Andrews, Scotland, joining Benjamin Franklin as the only other American to receive such a distinction.
Despite his golfing achievements, Jones chose to retire from competitive golf at the young age of 28. He earned his primary income as a lawyer, joining his father's firm, Jones, Evins, and Moore, in Atlanta after his retirement from golf. Jones' legal career was unconventional, as his celebrity status may have influenced his role in the firm. He was described as a "rainmaker" who attracted clients to the firm but did not actively work on cases or engage in litigation. Instead, he consulted and negotiated contracts, including those with Coca-Cola, a company his father counted as a client. Jones' involvement with Coca-Cola extended beyond legal work, as he held stock in the Joroberts Corporation, a holding company for Coca-Cola Bottling in the South.
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Jones was an author and wrote several books on golf
Robert Tyre Jones Jr., commonly known as Bobby Jones, was an American amateur golfer and a lawyer by profession. He was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia, and is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of golf. Jones had a successful golfing career, winning numerous championships and achieving the golf Grand Slam in 1930.
Apart from being a lawyer and a golfer, Jones was also an author. He wrote several books on golf, sharing his expertise and insights about the sport. Jones authored books such as "Down the Fairway" with Oscar Bane "O.B." Keeler in 1927, "The Rights and Wrongs of Golf" in 1933, "Golf Is My Game" in 1959, "Bobby Jones on Golf" in 1966, and "Bobby Jones on the Basic Golf Swing" in 1968, which was illustrated by Anthony Ravielli.
"Down the Fairway" is particularly notable, with its limited 300-copy edition being highly sought-after by collectors. Herbert Warren Wind included a reproduction of this book in his "Classics of Golf Library" to ensure its accessibility to golfers. Jones' literary contributions provide valuable insights into the world of golf and have left a lasting impact on the sport.
Jones' golfing career and his achievements as an author have solidified his legacy in the golfing world. His books continue to be a source of knowledge and inspiration for golfers and enthusiasts alike. Through his writing, Jones has not only shared his technical expertise but has also contributed to the strategic understanding and appreciation of the game.
Jones' golfing prowess and his ability to articulate the nuances of the sport in his writing have established him as a true authority in the world of golf. His books are a testament to his passion for the game and his desire to share his knowledge with others. They serve as a lasting legacy, ensuring that Jones' name remains synonymous with excellence in golf.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Bobby Jones was a practising lawyer in Atlanta.
Yes, Jones' legal education began before he retired from golf in 1930.
Jones' time as a lawyer was not conventional. He was a rainmaker, bringing clients to the law firm but not working on cases or litigation. He helped consult and negotiate contracts.
After retiring from golf, Jones joined his father's firm, Jones, Evins and Moore in Atlanta's Fairlie-Poplar District.
Jones was an amateur golfer and one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport. He was the first man to achieve the golf Grand Slam, winning four major tournaments in a single year. He also founded and helped design the Augusta National Golf Club and co-founded the Masters Tournament.
