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INSIDE: New Kid from Dixie

Seven Fat Years

The Grand SlamP R E S E N T E D B Y: United States Golf Association

Solve the Mystery Spot Puzzle

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Page 2

Little Bobby
D E D I C A T I O Nlthough he played more than
three-quarters of a century
ago, Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. is
still considered the greatest
amateur in the history of golf.
Blessed with natural athletic ability
and motivated by a passion for thegame, Jones dominated the“Golden Age of Sports” afterWorld War I. Eager to enjoy life
again after the war, America
wholeheartedly embraced sports
and entertainment during the1920s. From boxing’s Jack
Dempsey to baseball’s Babe
Ruth, there was no shortage ofathletic stars. And shining brightly
among them was golf’s very own
Bobby Jones.
At a time when golf was justbeginning to capture the interestof a nation, Jones brought it center
stage with a remarkable string of
victories. From 1923 to 1930, thegentleman from Georgia won an
unprecedented 13 national titles andcrowned this golden decade bybecoming the first and only golfer
to win the Grand Slam—four backto-back prestigious championshipsthat included the British Amateur,the British Open, the U.S. Open andthe U.S. Amateur in the same year.

A

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on St.
Patrick’s Day, March 17th, 1902, Robert
Tyre Jones, Jr. was named after his
paternal grandfather.

In

Bobby’ s
Words
Own

hen I actually“W
started to play, andwhen I was provided
with a complete set ofclubs, I do not know.
There was nothing very
conscious or contrived
about the wholeprocedure. The game wasthere, I liked it, and I
kept on playing.”

Building a Dream: DEDICATIONIn spite of being sickly as a child andnever having a formal golf lesson,
Bobby Jones became a champion. Thistakes dedication – constantly working toachieve a goal. Look through thenewspaper for stories about people whohave dedicated themselves to a cause orgoal. Identify what they did that madethem successful and newsworthy.

Grand Slam

A world champion who never
took a golf lesson and stored away
his clubs most winters, Jones
charmed fans as much with hismodesty, grace and humor, as withhis talent. His extraordinary
character on and off the course
distinguished him among his peers
and inspired generations of golfers
to follow his example.

Bobby Jones (left) with his childhood friends Perry Adair and Frank Meador. The threeplayed golf at the East Lake Golf club, circa 1909.

Georgia Childhood

Copy Cat Golf

As the only son of Clara andColonel Robert Permedus Jones, aprominent attorney, little Bobby neverlacked for attention. A sickly child,
he was fragile in health and unable
to eat solid food until the age offive. A few months before his sixth
birthday, Bobby’s family moved toa summer home in East Lake, asuburb of Atlanta, hoping the freshcountry air would strengthen theirson’s health. It did—and the movechanged not only his health but set
the course of his future.

Soon after moving, Jones’s
parents began to play golf at the
nearby East Lake Golf Club, part of
the Atlanta Athletic Club. One
summer evening, a neighbor gave
young Bobby an old iron club and acouple of balls, and he begantagging along behind his parents,
watching their moves, copying theirswings and learning the rules of thegame. Bobby also took to following
a Scottish golf professional from theclub named Stewart Maiden who
had a strong and sound swing that

Table of Contents
Little Bobby........................2-3
New Kid From Dixie...........4-5
The “Seven Lean Years”....6-7
The “Seven Fat Years” ......8-9

2 Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

The Grand Slam ............10-11
I’m Retiring ....................12-13“Play the Ball
Where it Lies” .............14-15

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Page 3“… a little boy was following Stewart solemnly about the East Lakecourse, never minding in the least that the imperturbable Scot paid him
not the slightest attention, but watching…watching…watching.”– O. B. Keeler
Bobby memorized andperfected. He would sneak onto
the golf course to watch
Maiden and then go home andmimic his swing.
What made Bobby such aunique champion is that henever had a formal golf lesson.
He learned by carefully
observing the very best golfers
and perfecting skills on his
own. According to Jones,
watching Stewart Maiden “wasthe luckiest thing that ever
happened to me in golf.”

Bob or Bobby?
Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. has long
been known as “Bobby,” but inreality it was a name that Jones
disliked. He much preferred to becalled “Bob” by his friends andfamily. He once said, “I thinkthat when a man gets to be 58
years old, he ought to haveoutgrown a diminutive.”
Bobby Jones practicing his swing,
aged 9, in 1911.

Why do golf balls
have dimples?
Golf balls were first made fromwood. Later they were made offeathers stuffed in leather and werecalled, “featheries.” In 1848, Rev.
Patterson of St. Andrews, Scotland
came up with a ball made from therubber-like sap of the gutta tree.
It was called a “guttie,” Originally,
gutties had a smooth surface andthey didn’t travel as far as
modern balls.

Child Champion
Bobby played his first round of golf competing at an
informal junior tournament at East Lake, and won thetrophy prize. Three years later he won the East Lake
Junior Championship. Developing a powerful love of
the game at an early age and dedicating his time tobecoming the best,
started young Bobby
on his way
to the top!

How did gutties get
to be bumpy?

How
old was Jones
when he won
the East Lake
Children’s
Tournament
for the firsttime? To findIn his book, Golf is My Game, Jonessuggests that the first gutties were
given to youngsters hanging aroundgolf courses. These young folks
hacked the balls around until they
became nicked and scarred.
Amazingly, the more a ball was
nicked up, the better it would fly.
Someone deduced that the unevensurface helped the ball travel farther.
Eventually, balls were made inmolds that produced bumps andbowls, creating a style of ball that
continues today.

out count the
number of golfballs the goferhas hidden along
the correct pathof the maze.
Wins the East Lake
Childrenʼs Tournament

Born March 17th to Clara and Colonel
Robert Jones in Atlanta, Georgia

1902

1903

1904

1905

1906

1907

For the summer the family moves
near the East Lake Golf Club

1908

Let’s Talk It Over
1909

1910

1911

Wins the East Lake JuniorChampionship

Jones knew from an early age that hewanted to be the best he could be at thegame of golf. By dedicating himself tothis goal, he made his dream come true.
What dreams do you have? What do you
want to be best at doing?

Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

3

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Page 4

New Kid From Dixie
C

O

M

M

I

T

M

E

N

T

t didn’t take long foryoung Bobby Jones tobegin winning
tournaments, setting records
and making the news. Following
his every swing was Jones’s
father, the Colonel, whorecognized that his oncesickly son was exceptionallytalented and growing
stronger in mind, body andspirit through his love of
the game. When he wasjust 11 years old, Bobby
shot a round of 80 at East
Lake – only seven strokes
over the par of 73—an
accomplish-ment normallyachieved by older andmore experienced golfers.
His father was so proud of
his son’s achievement that
his eyes welled with tears
as he hugged little Bob.

I

In

Bobby’ s
Words
Own

t is nothing
new ororiginal
to saythat golfis played one stroke
at a time. But it took
me many years torealize it.”“I

New Kid from Dixie: COMMITMENT
Bobby Jones seemed to know from ayoung age that becoming a champion
and winning tournaments would meancommitting time and energy to training.
People demonstrate commitment to theirideals every day by what they say or do.
Read the letters in today’s editorial
section. How are the ideals to whichpeople have committed themselves
evident to the reader? Is the writer
expressing facts or opinions? Underline
phrases or sentences that express
opinions. Circle facts.

Young HeadlinerThefollowing
year, Jones
shot a 70 at East
Lake to win the clubchampionship. In
1915, at age 13,
Bobby faced Archer
Davidson, the clubchampion at Druid
Hills Golf Club. Setting
a course record with ascore of 73, Jones
defeated Davidson andbecame the new Druid
Hills champion.
In 1916, after breaking
a string of records, Bobby
competed in the Georgia
State Amateur
Championship as a highschool freshman. He
defeated his childhood friend Perry
Adair, another local amateur golfer
known as the “Kid Wonder ofDixie.” Adair’s father had alreadyplanned to take his son to the 1916
U.S. Amateur Championship at
Merion Cricket Club in Ardmore,

4 Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

Stewart Maiden was the golf professional at the East Lake
Golf Club. Although Jones never took a formal lesson fromMaiden, he followed him around and imitated his swing.
Maiden was not a man of theories but instead his approach
was simple and practical. They are photographed together in
1923 at the U.S. Open.
A 1916cover ofClub Lifecelebrates
Jones’ first qualification for anational championship.

Pennsylvania. After receiving
permission from the Jones family,
he took Bobby along as well.
At age 14, Jones was the youngest
player yet to qualify for the U.S.
Amateur Championship – vaulting

him to national prominence. The“new kid from Dixie” won two
well-played matches before being
eliminated by the defending
champion. Although he did not win,
he made quite an impression onother more famous and experienced
golfers. The following year, Jones
competed in the Southern Amateur
Championship and became theyoungest player ever to win thisprestigious event.

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Page 5[Jones] was never lonesome with a golf club in his hands. He“musthave been born with a deep love for the game. He wascertainly born with the soul of a perfectionist.”– Stewart Maiden

The Spin

Path to Perfection

The instructional book, written by
Jones, Golf is My Game, is still usedby many beginning and experienced
golfers. Here is how he explains theeffect of spin on the flightof the ball.

Perfecting his swing and becoming the best meant committing to hours ofdaily practice, and the Georgia teen took to the task with passion. From
the time he was seven years old, young Bobby spent his freetime practicing golf. When he came home from school hewould take his little mashie and putter and a large
cap full of balls, go down to the sunken 13thow
green behind the house and there, alldo nIafternoon, he would pitch to the green andputt out, pitch to the green and putt out.

Incorrect spin

W hat

In this example the club head ishitting the ball in such a way thatit causes the ball to spin forwards,
away from the golfer. This willroll the ball along the ground in
the right direction, but won’t givethe ball any lift
and the ball won’t
travel far.

Find Practice Time
1. Is there a skill you would like to perfect?
Make time to practice it every day.
Using different colors for each activity, color in
the What I do now 24-hour circle graph toshow how many hours you spend each weekday
doing the following:• the hours you sleep each day
1slice = 1hour• the hours you are in school each day• the time you spend on homework• the time you spend doing out door activities

Spin

Path ofclub head

2. What other things do you do each weekday?
Write down each activity and the amount of time it takes on an average day.

Activity

Time

ActivityLine offlightCorrect spin

Time

My

Now color in the circle graph to show the part of your day devoted
to the activities listed in your chart.
plan
3. Can you find one or more hoursweneach day to practice a skill you
want to perfect?
Now complete the My new plan
circle graph to show how muchtime you will devote to practicing
the skill you want to perfect. Then add in the
1slice = 1hour time you have left to do your other activities.

In this example the club head hits theball in such a way that it causes theball to spin backwards, toward thegolfer. The back spin causes the ballto lift from the ground while moving
forward from the strength of the hit.
The lifted ballwill travel farther
than one rolling
along the ground.

1913

1914

1915

1916

Breaks Druid Hills golf course record with a 73
and becomes the new champion

1917
Becomes the youngest player
to win the Southern Amateur

in

1912

Wins Georgia State Amateur and becomes
youngest player to participate in U.S. AmateurSp

Shoots a 70 at East Lakeand wins the club championshipPathoclub fh ea dLine offlightClub contacts fairway

Let’s Talk It Over
It took years of committed effort for
Jones to become golf’s greatest
amateur. Which events do you think
were the most significant in advancing
his career in golf? What commitments
will you make to realize your dreams?

Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

5

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Page 6The “Seven Lean Years:”
Learning Self-Control
S

In

Bobby’ s
Words
Own

some
“Iin havesterling regrets
golf. This is theprincipal regret –that I quit in acompetition …
But I was ayoungster, still
making myreputation. And
I often have wished
I could in some wayoffer a general apology
for picking up my ballon the 11th green of thethird round, when I hada short putt left for ahorrid six. It means
nothing to the worldof golf. But it means
something to me.”Learning Self-Control:
SELF-DISCIPLINE
Bobby Jones had to develop selfdiscipline to overcome his temper.
Whether winning or losing, a true
champion has to manage his emotions
and learn from his mistakes. Lookthrough the sports section of thenewspaper to find examples of gracious
winners and losers. Underline quotes
from the athletes. Then label twocolumns—“Gracious Winners” and“Gracious Losers.” List quotes from theplayers that demonstrate self-discipline
and a positive attitude in the face ofvictory or defeat.

E

L

F

-

D

I

S

C

I

P

L

I

N

E

fter a string of successfulcompetitions, breaking
records and winning
championships, Bobby Jones
faced a series of setbacks.
During the years 1916 to
1922, Jones competed indozens of tournaments and
10 national championships
but was unable to earn anational title. Close friend andsportswriter, O. B. Keeler,
nicknamed this portion of
Bobby’s career, the “Seven
Lean Years.”A

Out of Control
One reason for his losses was his
inability to control his temper.
During World War I, the Red
Cross asked celebrated golfers like
Bobby Jones to play exhibition
matches to raise money. Jones
traveled around the country withthree outstanding young golfers —Perry Adair, Elaine Rosenthal andAlexa Stirling. Collectively they
were known as “The Dixie Whiz
Kids.” During one match at theBrae Burn Country Club in Boston,
15-year-old Bobby displayed his
temper by heaving golf clubs andthrowing balls when his game fell
apart. “That experience had its
proper effect. I resolved then that
this sort of thing had to stop.”

Bad Sport Move
Self-discipline is not easy todevelop, and it took a few more
years before Bobby fully conquered
his temper. The low point came in1921 at the British Open at St.
Andrews, Scotland. Jones,
frustrated by his play, did theunthinkable—he quit. Jones
recalled, “Then followed the mostinglorious failure of my golfing
life—when I picked up my ball in

6 Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

Alexa Stirling, second from left, and Bobby Jones, second from right, played in many
exhibition games for the Red Cross and the two were often golfing partners. They had
grown up together at the East Lake Club and Stewart Maiden had influenced both. Alexa
Stirling was one of the great women players of the time.

the British Open at St. Andrews.”
By picking up his ball, Jones
disqualified himself in the thirdround before the competition could
be completed.

It Gets Worse
Later that year, at the U.S.
Amateur in St. Louis, he threw agolf club after a bad shot andunintentionally hit a spectator.
This event led to a letter from thepresident of the United States
Golf Association, warning Jones
that, “you will never play in a
United States Golf Association
event again unless you can learn tocontrol your temper.”The defeats during the “Seven
Lean Years” taught Bobby lessons
that were far more important thanvictories. A true champion, he used
these failures to develop selfdiscipline and conquer his

outbursts. “I was full of pie, ice
cream and inexperience. To me,golf was just a game to beatsomeone. I didn’t know thatsomeone was me.” Bobby knew hehad to change his approach to golf
in order to continue playing, so hereturned to Atlanta to help resolve
his future and his golf career.

The Scholar
Jones was only 16 when hegraduated from Tech High Schoolin Atlanta. Toward the end of the“Seven Lean Years,” Bobby
completed his education at Georgia
Tech, earning a Bachelor of Science
degree in mechanical engineering.
Two years later, he added a degree
in English literature from Harvard
College. In 1928, after barely a year
at Emory University Law School,
Jones passed the Georgia State Bar,earning the right to practice law.

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Page 7[Bobby] always had the high-strung temperament that goes
“betterin football and tennis than it goes in golf–the yearning
for action rather than the feeling of restraint and nerve.”– Sportswriter Grantland RiceHow Bobby Jones Overcame His Temper“When Bobby Jones won his firstnational title thousands of words
were written concerning thetechnical brilliance of hisachievement. Very little was writtenof the human struggle that preceded
the triumphs.
… Bobby was high strung … andthe victim of youth’s eternal searchfor perfection. If a shot went wrong,he was likely to throw his clubs
away or break them over his knees.
‘My anger was always directed atmyself because I felt my efforts
were not what they should be. Butthat is no excuse for allowing mymyself ‘…Hey, wait a minute!
Calm down. Gradually I began
to get overbecoming
mad at myself
and just
concentrate on
playing golf.’”

temper to take control, and I finallybegan to realize that, win or
lose, I had to learn to control
myself. … I began tounderstand that the breaks
are bound to even up. …
sometimes you think you’ve
hit a shot perfectly and yet
something goes wrong …
At other times you hit theball wrong and get a breakthat gives you an
undeserved reward. … I’dcatch myself beginning to
get mad over a rotten
shot. Then I’d say to—Excerpted
from Liberty
Magazine,
June 1924.
AuthorPatterson
McNuttBobby Jones at age 18.

Use the words in the box to complete the crossword puzzle.
1
Across
AMATEURBALL
BIRDIEBOGEY
BUNKERCADDIECHIP
DIVOT
DRIVEREAGLE
FLAGSTICK
HAZARD
HOLE
HOLE IN ONE
IRON
PAR
PITCH
PUTTERSTROKETEE
WEDGE
RUB OF THE GREEN

3.

A less-than-full approach shot, withbackspin, usually over an obstacle.
4. A movable straight indicator4
centered in the hole to show
its position.
8. Occurs when a ball in motion is
accidentally stopped or deflected by anoutside agency.
10
10. A piece of turf cut from theground by the club head
while making a stroke.
13
12. Any bunker orwater feature.
13. A hazard where turf orsoil has been removed
and replaced with sand.
16. The forward movement18
19of the club, with the intent
to move the ball.
18. One who assists the player inaccordance with the rules, which
may include carrying the player's
clubs during play.
20. A score of two less than par
on a hole.

The Dixie Whiz Kids play in exhibition events for the American
Red Cross raising more than $150,000 for World War I relief

1917

1918

1919

Down

2

1. A shorter iron used to loft the ball on to
the putting green or out of hazards.

3

5

6
8

3. Traditionally the shortest club,used primarily on the putting
green for short-length strokes.

79

5. Four and one quarter inches
in diameter, and at least four
inches deep,
located on the putting green.

11
12
14

6. A short, moderately lofted approach shot with little backspin.

15
16

2. When a player holes his tee
shot, scoring one for that hole.

7. Mid-length club, varying in length and loft, used
in a variety of situations.

17

9. A score of one less than par on a hole.
20

11. Perfect play on a hole, allowing two putts per green.
13. A dimpled sphere used for play.
14. One who plays golf without financial reward.
15. A score of one more than par on a hole.
17. A device used to raise the ball off the ground.
19. Traditionally the longest club, used to hit the ball long distances off the tee.

Bobby loses his temper in the British Opendisqualifying himself from the championship

1920

1921

1922

Jones completes a B.S. at Georgia
Institute of Technology

Let’s Talk It Over
Jones had remarkable abilities as agolfer, but had to work on controlling
his emotions while playing the game.
Why was this important? How did his
emotions affect his playing? Why is it
important that Jones was able to change
his behavior? Have you had to work tochange a behavior?

Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

7

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Page 8The “Seven Fat Years”
I N T E G R I T Y
t the 1923 U.S. Open, held atand sportswriter, O.B.
the Inwood Country Club on
Keeler, named thisLong Island, New York, Bobby
period “The Seven Fat
finally broke his losing streak –Years” of Bobby’s
although it was not an easy win.
golfing career.
In 1926, Jones won theWith three holes remaining in the
British Open.When heplayoff, it looked like Jones had a
won the U.S. Open threesure victory in hand. Instead, heweeks later, he became themade several mistakes, allowing his
first golfer incompetitor, Bobby
history to win
Cruickshank, to tie
the “double”
after 17 holes. At the– the British
par-four 18th hole,and U.S.
both Jones andOpens in the
Cruickshank drove
same year.
into the rough—aUpon returningpart of a golf course
to the United
where taller
States, he was
grasses grow.
honored with a
Jones’s ballticker-tape
was sitting in dirt,
parade in New
190 yards from theYork City.
green. If he went for
the green, he risked
hitting the ball into
the water, but Bobby
Jones was also
was willing to take
This was one of Jones’s
drawing attention
such a risk. With his
favorite pictures and hung in
2-iron, he fired thefor his integrity on
his Atlanta law office. It showsball over the water
the course, callinga soaking wet Bobby Jones
where it landed
penalty strokes onwith the Havemeyer Trophy
within eight feet ofafter winning the 1927 U.S.
himself in four
AmateurChampionshipplayedthe hole. Later, Jones
national tournaments
attheMinikahda
CountryClubgood-naturedlythat at times cost him
in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
described aa championship. In
dangerous shot likeone memorable incident at the 1925
this as one that required “sheer
U.S. Open, Jones assessed himself adelicatessen,” for only a golfer withpenalty stroke for moving the ballreal grit could pull it off. Two putts
with his club, even though nobody
after the memorable 2-iron shot,
Bobby Jones had won his first major saw the ball move. Although his
decision may have cost him both theand went on to win 13 majors in thechampionship and a chance to be thenext seven years.
only golfer to win five U.S. OpenBecause of this series of
titles, he was praised nationwide forunstoppable victories, Jones’s friend

A

Jones at the1928 U.S.
Open.

In

Bobby’ s
Words
Own

ctually, though, those
first seven years
didn’t seem so lean. At
least, they gave me theexperience without which
the “fat years” would
never have come.”“A

Setting the Standard: INTEGRITY
Bobby Jones believed there was only
one way to play the game of golf – byfollowing the rules with integrity. Thismeans he was honest and did the rightthing even when no one would have
known the difference. Look through thenewspaper for advertisements. Identify
words or phrases used to describe theobject for sale, analyzing it for its
integrity. Does it say anything that might
not be true or try to mislead the reader?
Next to each word or phrase you
identified, write a question that a
consumer might ask to clear-up any
misunderstanding.

Telling Tale

Beats Bobby Cruickshank in a playoff to win his ﬁrst major
championship–the U.S. Open at Inwood Country Clubin New York– thus ending the “Seven Lean Years”

1923

Wins the U.S. Amateur

1924

Wins the U.S. Amateur at the Merion Cricket Club in Ardmore,
Pennsylvania; receives a degree in English Literature from Harvard;
Marries Mary Rice Malone in Alanta on June 17, 1924

8 Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

1925

1926
First golfer ever to win the “double”; Wins his ﬁrst British
Open at Royal Lytham and St. Annes; Wins the U.S.
Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio

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Page 9“… the greatest display of sportsmanship I’ve ever witnessed.”– Golfer Gene Sarazen, commenting on Jones’s decision to call a penalty strokeon himself after accidentally moving his golf ball during a tournament

In 1930 Jones returned
to New York to a hero’s
welcome after winning
both the British Openand the British Amateur
Championships.

Wins his ﬁrst British
es; Wins the U.S.
Columbus, Ohio

ACE LOGO HERE

Family Man

following the rulesof the game when
Between championno one was
ships, Bobby played
watching. Golfer
little to no golf because
Gene Sarazen
of his strong dedicationcommented thatto his family and career.
Jones’s decision
The same year hewas “the greatest
received his degree
display of
from Harvard College,
sportsmanship
Jones married a local
I’ve everAtlanta girl—Mary Rice
witnessed.”
Malone—and became a
Jones himself
father of three—Clara,
was more
Robert Tyre Jones III
humble,and Mary Ellen. When
maintaining,
he wasn’t playing golf
Bobby Jones is pictured here
“There is onlyor practicing law, Jonesin 1928 with his young son,
one way toRobert Tyre Jones III.
committed most of hisplay thetime to being with his
game. You might as wellfamily. For Bobby Jones family
praise a man for notcame first, followed by his
robbing a bank.”
profession, and then golf.

What is a ticker-tape parade?
A ticker-tape parade is one that is held in the center of a major
city and allows spectators to toss large amounts of shredded paper
from nearby office buildings onto the parade, thus, creating atriumphal effect through the “snowstorm” ofpaper. The term originated in New York Cityin 1886 during the dedication of the Statue of
Liberty. The phrase “ticker-tape” originallyreferred to the use of paper output of ticker
tape machines - devices used in brokeragefirms to provide updated stock market quotes.
Lower Broadway in New York City has
plaques in the sidewalk celebrating each of thecity’s ticker-tape parades.
Jones’s first major win was at the 1923 U.S. OpenChampionship held at Inwood Country Club, N.Y. On
returning home to Atlanta, crowds greeted Jones with aticker-tape parade celebrating his success.

Wins the U.S. Open at Winged Foot
Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York.

1927

1928
Wins his fourth U.S. Amateur Championship at the Brae
Burn Country Club near Boston; Passes the state bar
exam and enters his fatherʼs law ﬁrm

1929

1930
Captain of the victorious USA Walker Cup
Team; Wins the British Open, British Amateur,the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Amateur

Bobby Jones (on the left) holds the U.S.
Amateur trophy in 1925. He won thischampionship four times in all.

On Par for Greatness:
Bobby remained victorious
between the years of 1923 to1930, winning an unprecedented
13 major championships. He won:
The U.S. Amateur in 1924 andwon the title again in 1925,
1927, 1928 and 1930
The 1930 British Amateur
Championship
The British Open in 1926, 1927
and 1930
The U.S. Open in 1923, 1926,
1929 and 1930

Jones’s “Firsts”
First golfer to be rewarded
with a ticker-tape parade in
New York City
First golfer in history to win the“double”—The U.S. Open andBritish Open in the same year

Let’s Talk It Over
Integrity means doing what is righteven when no one is watching. Jones
illustrated this by calling penalty
strokes on himself even if it cost him a
victory. There are opportunities every
day to practice integrity at school or athome. What should you do if you findmoney on the schoolyard or breaksomething at home? Can you think ofother examples?

Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

9

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Page 10The Grand Slam
R

E

S

P

E

C

T

n 1930 Jones began his quest to
win the four major championships—the British Amateur,
British Open, U.S. Open and U.S.
Amateur. No golfer had everaccomplished this in his career, letalone in a single year. Jones’s
accomplishment earned him fame,golfing titles and the respect of the
sporting world.

I

The Most Important
Tournament
Jones plays out of a bunker during
the British Amateur Championshipat St. Andrews.

In

Bobby’ s
Words
Own

only knew that
“Ia period
I had completedof moststrenuous effort
and that at thispoint, nothing moreremained to be done.”The Grand Slam: RESPECT
Jones earned the respect of sporting fansworldwide with his skillful play andpersonal conduct. Look through thesports section and identify players you
respect for their athletic talents andplayers you respect for their attitude andcharacter. Write down reasons why you
respect them as players and people.

Beginning on his favorite course,
the Old Course at St. Andrews,
Bobby played in “the mostimportant tournament of [his] life,
the 1930 British Amateur.” With
20,000 fans watching, Jones won
seven 18-hole matches in a row.
Competing against the best
golfers in the world, Bobby gave
the gallery quite a show. In roundfour, Jones competed against thereigning champion, Cyril Tolley, ina close match. After 16 holes thematch had gone back and forth,with the two players alternating
the lead. With the match all squareat the end of 18 holes, Jones andTolley had to play extra holes todetermine the winner. On the firstextra hole, Bobby’s putt ended it.
In the semifinals, Bobby held thecrowd in suspense again, defeating
George Voigt on the 18th green
and advancing to the championship match. In the final 36-holematch, Jones defeated Roger
Wethered on the 30th hole, 7
and 6, winning his first and only
British Amateur. Impressed by
Bobby’s remarkable performance,
one observer quipped, “Theyought to burn him at the stake.
He’s a witch!”

Another British Victory
After vacationing briefly in Paris
with his wife, Jones returned to

10 Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

Jones is seen here with his friend and biographer, O.B. Keeler and the four 1930 Grand
Slam trophies. They are, from left to right: the British Open, the U.S. Amateur, the British
Amateur and the U.S. Open.

Hoylake, England, ready for thesecond major championship—the
British Open at the Royal Liverpool
Golf Club. This, too, turned out to bea hard-fought victory. At the end of
the second round, Jones was only
one stroke ahead. Though hestruggled with his game in the last
two rounds, Bobby’s final-round 75
was good enough to hold on to win.
Defeating golfers Macdonald Smith
and Leo Diegel by two strokes, Jones
won his third British Open. To honor
the first golfer in 40 years—and only
American golfer in history—to winboth British championships in one
year, New York hosted a second
ticker-tape parade for Bobby Jones.

undergoing a heat wave, forcing
Jones to perform in weather over
100 degrees. “I started the roundclad in light-gray [pants], a shirt
with collar, and a red… tie. I carrieda dozen or so red wood tees inmy… pocket. When I finished theround, my [pants] were so saturated
that they appeared to be black. The
tie had run all over my shirt and thered from the tees had stained one legof my trousers.” Competing in suchintense heat was a true test of

Heat Wave
A short two weeks after his
triumphant return from England,
Jones traveled to the Interlachen
Country Club near Minneapolis,
Minnesota, to compete inchampionship number three—the
U.S. Open. Minnesota was

The 12th hole at the British Open.

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Page 11“To my generation there is only one Grand Slam
— and Jones made it.”—Henry Longhurst, British Golf Writer

endurance. Once again, it was notan easy win.
With a one-under-par 71 in thefirst round, Jones was off to a great
start - only one stroke behind theleaders. However, he finished thesecond round two strokes off thelead. He quickly made up for it inround three by shooting a 68, giving
him a five-stroke lead heading into
round four. Unfortunately, roundfour was not so successful. Jones
played erratically, making threedouble-bogeys and three birdies. On
the ninth hole, Jones hit what later
became known as the “lily padshot.” Hot, tired and distracted by
two spectators, Jones topped his ballwhich skipped across the surface ofthe pond, and ended up within a footof the green. He then birdied thehole with a 4. After finishing with afinal score of 287, Jones waited overan hour for his closest pursuer,
Macdonald Smith, to finish two
strokes back, giving Bobby Jones
his fourth U.S. Open championship.

Can you find the scoremissing from eachbox. The total numberof strokes at the endof this match was
Jones: 48
Homans: 49

Competing in the intense heat in
Minnesota was a true test of endurance.

The Grand Slam

Upon returning to Atlanta, Jones pictured here at the reception with his wife, was awarded
the golden key to the city by Mayor Ragsdale. Jones achieved the unthinkable in 1930 bywinning the U.S. and British Opens and both Amateur championships. O.B. Keeler hailed
this the “Grand Slam.” No player had ever accomplished such a feat.

HINT: The scores were
subtotaled after the 9thhole in a column called“out.” Do not add thisnumber into the total.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9 OUT 10 11
12 13 14 15
16 17 18

IN TOTAL

48
49

Two months after winning threeconsecutive major tournaments,
Jones traveled to Pennsylvania for
the U.S. Amateur. By now,
Jones’s accomplishments were
world news and crowds were soenormous that a contigent of U.S.
Marines had to escort Bobby on
the course. He defeated every
opponent he faced to reach thefinal against Eugene Homans. On
the 11th green Homans missed amust-make putt and then walked
over to Jones, shook his hand andconceded the match, making
Bobby Jones the first golfer inhistory to win all four major
championships in a single year.
Upon returning to Atlanta,
Jones was welcomed with yet
another ticker-tape parade. He
accomplished the unthinkable in1930 by winning the U.S. andBritish Open and both Amateur
Championships. O.B. Keeler
hailed this as the “Grand Slam.”
No player had ever accomplishedsuch a feat before—or since.

Let’s Talk It Over
1930
Jan.

Jones captains thevictorious Walker
Cup team.

Feb.

March

April

Wins the British Open at
Hoylake, EnglandMay

Wins the British Amateur at
St. Andrews, Scotland.

June

July

Wins the U.S. Amateur tocomplete the “Grand Slam”

Aug.

Wins the U.S. Open in
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Victory on the golf course did notcome easily for Bobby Jones. He earned
the respect of his fans and players bypersevering when falling behind in amatch. What are examples from thispassage that illustrate his hard-fought
victories? How did the publicdemonstrate their respect for his abilities?
What can you do to make others respect
you when playing in a game?

Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story 11

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Page 12

I’m Retiring
S P O R T S M A N S H I Pfter shocking the world bywinning four consecutive majorgolf championships in 1930,
Bobby Jones gave the golf world
yet another surprise. Just over amonth after the Grand Slam, heannounced his retirement from golf
at the age of 28, having won 13
major championships, a record thatstood for more than 40 years.
“There were no worlds left for him
to conquer,” said the great
American golf writer, Herbert
Warren Wind. Jones continued toplay golf no more frequently than
the average weekend golfer.
Although he would never again
compete in a national
championship, he continued toleave an extraordinary mark on
the world of golf. He knew how
golf had influenced his personal
growth, and he understood that
good character was more important
than any win-loss record. “Thequality of sportsmanship is thequality I would most want to be
praised for,” he remarked.

A

Jones portrait circa 1950.

In

Bobby’ sWords
Own

ourteen years of“Fintense tournament
play in this country andabroad have given me all I
wanted in the way of hard
work in the game. I had
reached the point where I
felt that my profession
required more of my timeand effort, leaving golf in
its proper place, as a meansof obtaining recreationand enjoyment.”

Golf’s Greatest Amateur:
SPORTSMANSHIP
Jones was admired for his gracious
treatment of others on and off thecourse. Look through today’s sports
section for examples of sportsmanshipin different athletic competitions. Makea poster using pictures, quotes, words,
etc. from the newspaper that show
things athletes say and do todemonstrate sportsmanship.

Teacher

After his retirement Jones
continued as an advocate, writer andteacher of the game of golf.
Throughout the 1930s Jones worked
on 18 educational films with Warner

Bobby Jones’s impact on the game of golf was not just as a player, but as a teacher
also. He worked on educational films, a weekly radio show and he also wrote four
instructional books.

Brothers entitled “How I Play
Golf.” These short films featured
Jones giving golf tips to Hollywood
stars. In 1932, he assisted A.G.
Spalding & Co. in the design of thevery first set of matched golf clubs
bearing his name.

Designer

By using synchronized strobe flashes, Harold
Edgerton was able to capture the swing action of
Bobby Jones.

12 Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

One of Jones’s greatest
legacies was the design andcreation of the Augusta
National Golf Club inAugusta, Georgia. “I truly
regarded it as anopportunity to make acontribution to golf in myown section of the country,
as well as to give
expression to my own very
definite ideas about golfcourse design.” With thehelp of New York

Jones had a weekly radio show on NBC.

businessman Clifford Roberts,
Jones created his “ideal golfcourse,” which opened in 1933. In
1934, the Augusta National Golf
Club hosted its first Annual
Invitational Tournament, now
known as the Masters, one ofgolf’s four modern-day

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Page 13“When the One Great Scorer comes to write against yourname, he marks not that you won or lost, but how you
played the game.”— Grantland Rice

professional
majors. Jones
took much pridein the creation ofa course designed
for all levels ofgolfers, firmly
believing that “thefirst purpose of any
golf course should be
to give pleasure, andthat to the greatest possible
number of players, without respect
to their capabilities.”
For 12 years, Jones emerged
from his retirement once a year toplay in the Masters. Tickets for thevery first Masters cost two dollars
and approximately 3,500 avid fanscame to see Bobby Jones swing aclub once again.

Soldier
On June 9, 1942, at theage of 40, Jones wascommissioned as a
Captain in the U.S. Army
Air Corps in World War II,
serving as an intelligence
officer under General
Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Although he was older than mostsoldiers and had a medical
disability, Jones was intent on
doing his part to support the war
effort. His unit was converted toinfantry, landed at Normandy the
day after D-Day and saw two daysof intense enemy fire. Jones spent
several months in Europe before
being honorably discharged as a
Lieutenant Colonel in 1944.

Jones and his dog. Jones had never playedgolf with the idea of making it his career.
His career was law. Golf, he believed, wasa game to enjoy. He did not want to feel
obligated to compete. He attributed hisGrand Slam success to perseverance andhis ability to try his hardest at times whenthings were going wrong.

Jones in his military uniform around 1942.

Time to Swing
After retiring from tournament
golf, Jones wrote books andhosted educational films on
how to play golf.
Imagine your golf club isthe hour hand of a clock.
Backswing to one o’clock
for a long shot.
Backswing to nine o’clock
for a medium shot.
Pull back to seven o’clock
for a short putt.
November 17th, Bobby
Jones announces his
retirement from golf

1930

1931

Look at each golfer. What kind of shot is each one planning?

Augusta National
opens

1932

December, constructionof Augusta National Golf
Course is completed

1933

1934

Jones is honorably
discharged in August
as a Lieutenant Colonel

Bobby Jones visits St.
Andrews

1935

1936

1937

The Masters (the First Annual
Invitational Tournament)
played in March

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1944

June 9th, Jones commissioned
as a Captain in the Army Air
Corps in World War II

Let’s Talk It Over
What was more important to Jones,
winning or sportsmanship? What
incidents in his life show this? How did
this help him on the golf course? Why
is developing sportsmanship an
important character trait? How can you
strengthen this trait in yourself?

Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story 13

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Page 14“Play the Ball
Where it Lies”
C O U R A G E

he year 1948 was morechallenging for Bobby
Jones personally than
any year he competed as agolfer. Suffering fromchronic back and neck pain,
Jones underwent a series oftests that revealed growths on
three bones in his spine. He
was later diagnosed with thedegenerative spinal diseasesyringomyelia. At first the diseasecaused pain, then loss of feeling andmuscle loss. Jones played his lastfull round of golf in 1948, before
the illness prevented him fromplaying the sport he so loved.
Eventually, paralysis confined him
to a wheelchair. He maintained his
composure while accepting thistwist of fate, commenting that inlife, as in golf, one simply has to“play the ball where it lies.”

T

Jones in 1958 at St. Andrews.

In

Bobby’ s
Words
Own

will tell you privately“I
it’s not going to getbetter, it’s going to getworse all the time, but
don’t fret. Remember, we‘play the ball where it lies,’and now let’s not talkabout this ever again.”Play the Ball Where it Lies:
COURAGE
Bobby Jones displayed courage during
his illness and won the admiration ofpeople worldwide. Newspapers are fullof examples of courage from soldiersserving their country to everyday citizens
helping one another. Find articles about
people demonstrating courage in
different ways. Identify the main idea
and details. Create a bulletin board or
scrapbook about “Everyday Heroes.”

Bob Jones Award
Although undergoing the greatest
Three generations all called Robert Tyre Jones.
personal challenge of his life, Jones
In 1958, Jones was deeply honored to receive
courageously continued to
the Freedom of the City of St. Andrews. The
people of St. Andrews had always given him acontribute to the world of golf. In
warm reception and he in return always considered them his
1955, the same year he wasfriends. He was presented with a case and scroll.
diagnosed with syringomyelia, theU.S. Golf Association establishedstood up with equal grace to just
St. Andrews held a special
the Bob Jones Award to honor aabout the worst,” said golf historian significance to Jones, for it
person who by a single act, or over
Herbert Warren Wind.
was on the rugged Scottish links
several years,
On October 9, 1958,
that he harnessed his temper
demonstrates the samethe city of St. Andrews
and won the first of four
sportsmanship, respect
formally honored Bobby championships to capture thefor the game, generosity
Jones by presenting him Grand Slam. He loved the Oldof spirit, sense of fairwith the Freedom of the Course, considering it “the mostplay, self-control, andCity and Royal Burgh of fascinating … I have ever played.
sacrifice, as Bobby Jones
St. Andrews, Scotland.
There is always a way at St.
had done during his
Jones received a silver
Andrews, although it is not always
career. “As a young man
case and scroll adorned
the obvious way, and in trying to
he was able to stand up
with the seal of the city, find it, there is more to be learned
to just about the best
an honor he consideredon this … course than in playing
Ben Hogan, shown herethat life can offer, which with Jones, received the“the finest thing that’s
a hundred ordinary American
Bob Jones Award in 1976. ever happened to me.”isn’t easy, and later hegolf courses.”

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Page 15“Those who have been fortunate enough to know Bob Jones,
realize that his fame as a golfer is transcended by his
inestimable qualities as a human being.”—President Dwight D. Eisenhower

The Final Years
During the 1960s, in spite offailing health, Jones publishedthree books—Golf is My Game
(1960), Bobby Jones on Golf
(1966), and Bobby Jones on the
Basic Golf Swing (1969)—still
considered among the finest
references in the sport for theirpractical and down-to-earth
approach to understanding andplaying the game.
On December 18, 1971—twoyears after publishing his final
book—Bobby Jones diedpeacefully in his sleep at age 69.
When golfers at the Old Course
in St. Andrews heard the newsof his death, they stopped theirplay and lowered the clubhouseflag to half-staff to honor one ofgolf’s greatest ambassadors.
Grantland Rice recognized
Jones’s lasting mark on the sport
stating, “Bobby Jones is not one
in a million persons … I should
say he is one in ten million—or
perhaps one in fifty million.” In1972, the St. Andrews town
council named the 10th hole at
the Old Course the “Bobby
Jones” hole. Jones is buried in
Atlanta’s Oakland Cemeterywhere, to this day, visitors leavegolf balls and tees at his
gravesite as a tribute to thelegendary champion once known
as the “New Kid from Dixie.”
Jones plays his lastround of golf

1948

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club islocated in St. Andrews, Scotland. Alongwith the United States Golf Association,
the R&A creates, interprets, andoversees the Rules of Golf to preserve
the traditions and standards of the sport.

Jones playing the 18th green at St. Andrews. He didn’t win the British Amateur
Championship here until 1930 but he always had a tremendous following. Fans turned out
the thousands and players often had to wait for the gallery to be cleared from the fairways
before making their shots.

Use the code to find out the name of the only other American
to be presented with the Freedom of the City award.
___ ___ ___
2

A= 1
B=2

5

C=3
D= 4
E=5
F =6

14

___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
6

G= 7
H= 8
I =9
J = 101

14 11 12

K = 11
L = 12
M = 13
N = 14

O = 15
P = 16
Q = 17
R = 1818

Jones is presented with the Freedom of the City and the Royal Burghof St. Andrews, the only other American to receive such an honor
since Benjamin Franklin in 1759

9

S = 19T = 20U = 21V = 2214

W= 23
X = 24
Y = 25Z = 26For hundreds of years St. Andrews
has been considered the “home” ofgolf. In 1123 King David gave the“links” to the people of St. Andrews
as “common” land, or property thecommunity would share. Some formof golf has been played there since
1400 A.D. The game of golf grew inpopularity over the years and by the1800s it was a way of life for thepeople of St. Andrews - as ballmakers, club makers, caddies andplayers. It is still a major part of theeconomy of St. Andrews today.

Jones dies on
December 18th

1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1949
1951
1953
1955
1957
1959
1961
1963
1965
1967
1969
1971

Jones is diagnosed with syringomyelia; the Bob JonesAward is established by the USGA

St. Andrews:
The Home of Golf

Let’s Talk It OverHow did Jones demonstrate couragein his life? While he was sick?
What did he do that inspired people?
What can we learn from his example?
Is it possible to develop courage
without challenges?

Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story 15

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Page 16

The Mystery Sp t
Fill in the missing words. Then match the letters to the numbers and spell the answer to the Mystery Spot question.

Q: Bobby Jones was born in 1902 on which special day?

_ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _

4

6

5

1

8

1

10

7

2

3

4

1. When Jones was a young boy, his family spent the summers at ___ ___ ___ ___89___ ___ ___ ___, a suburb of Atlanta.
2

1

2. Jones learned how to play golf by imitating a ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ professional.
4

3

3. In 1924, Jones received an English Literature degree from ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.
5

4. After Jones won the British Amateur Championship, he took his wife on vacation to ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.
6

5. Jones served as an ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ officer during World War II.
7

6. Gutties were made from the rubber-like sap of the ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ tree.
8

7. Before he experienced “Seven Fat Years,” Jones had “Seven ___ ___ ___ ______ ___ ___ ___ ___.”
9

8. Ticker tape is so called because ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ paper is thrown onto the parade.
10

Text Credits:

Picture This

Below are portions of photos found inside this special booklet. Find the page
where each photo appears and write the page number in the correct circle.

ANS: Top left to right: 4, 15, 9, 14, 11, 7.

16 Character of a Champion: The Bobby Jones Story

Page 2: Robert Tyre (Bobby)
Jones, Golf Is My Game,
Doubleday & Co., Inc. NY, 1960.
Page 3: O.B. Keeler, The Bobby
Jones Story, Triumph Books,
Chicago, 1953.
Robert T. Jones Jr., Down The
Fairway, Ailsa Books, New
York, 1927
Charles Price, “Robert Tyre
“Bobby” Jones – The Head
Master 1902-1971”, Golf
Magazine, April 1972.
Page 4: Robert Tyre (Bobby)
Jones, Golf Is My Game,
Doubleday & Co., Inc. NY, 1960.
Page 5: O.B. Keeler, The Bobby
Jones Story, Triumph Books,
Chicago, 1953.
Page 6: Robert Tyre (Bobby)
Jones, Golf Is My Game,
Doubleday & Co., Inc. NY, 1960.
Robert Tyre (Bobby) Jones, Golf
Is My Game, Doubleday & Co.,
Inc. NY, 1960.
Robert T. Jones Jr., Down The
Fairway, Ailsa Books, New
York, 1927
Page 7: Grantland Rice, The
Tumult and the Shouting: My
Life in Sport, A.S. Barnes, New
York, 1954.

Patterson McNutt, How Bobby
Jones Overcame His Temper,
Liberty Magazine, June 1924.
Page 8: Robert Tyre (Bobby)
Jones, Golf Is My Game,
Doubleday & Co., Inc. NY, 1960.
Page 9: Gene Sarazen, Golf Is
My Game, Doubleday & Co.,
Inc. NY, 1960.
Robert Tyre (Bobby) Jones, Golf
Is My Game, Doubleday & Co.,
Inc. NY, 1960.
Page 10: Robert Tyre (Bobby)
Jones, Golf Is My Game,
Doubleday & Co., Inc. NY, 1960.
Robert Tyre (Bobby) Jones, Golf
Is My Game, Doubleday & Co.,
Inc. NY, 1960.
Page 11: Henry Longhurst,
British Golf Writer
Page 12: Robert Tyre (Bobby)
Jones, Golf Is My Game,
Doubleday & Co., Inc. NY, 1960.
Herbert Warren Wind, The Storyof American Golf, Simon &Schuster, New York, 1956
Robert Tyre (Bobby) Jones, Golf
Is My Game, Doubleday & Co.,
Inc. NY, 1960.
Robert Tyre (Bobby) Jones, Golf
Is My Game, Doubleday & Co.,
Inc. NY, 1960.

Page 13: Grantland Rice
Page 14: Al Laney, Alistair
Cooke's America, Alfred A.
Knopf, New York, 1982.
Herbert Warren Wind, The Storyof American Golf, Simon &Schuster, New York, 1956.
Robert Tyre (Bobby) Jones, Golf
Is My Game, Doubleday & Co.,
Inc. NY, 1960.
Robert Tyre (Bobby) Jones, Golf
Is My Game, Doubleday & Co.,
Inc. NY, 1960.
Page 15: President Dwight D.
Eisenhower, The Atlanta Journal
and The Atlanta Journal
Constitution, December 19, 1971.

Picture Credits
The pictures in this supplement
are from the USGA unless stated
here:
Page 4: Club Life: Atlanta
Athletic Club, Atlanta History
CenterPage 7: Liberty Magazine:
courtesy of Sidney L. Matthew
Page 9: Mid-Week Pictorial:
courtesy of Sidney L. Matthew
Page 14: Case: Atlanta Athletic
Club, Atlanta History Center