The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-26
Jones Had Only Self To Beat
To Be Greatest Of All Golfers
First of a series
By HARRY GRAYSON
NEA Sports Editor

Unless super golfer is the development of the
future Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. must remain the Abou
Ben Adhem of the Royal and Ancient's Who's Who.
Jones' who abhorred the juvenile nickname, Bob
by, packed the golfng pyrotechnics of dozen life
times into competitive career that ended on the
most fabulous note in sports history
Bob actually born and raised golf course
inside the grounds of Atlanta's Eastlake Club His
father Col Bob Jones' was an ardent golfer so from
the day he was born Bob was exposed to the virus.
At sender age Bob exhibited unusual proficiency
with links weapons. He learned so quickly under
Stewart Maiden that he was packed off to Philadel-
pha at the ripe age of IA to compete in his first major
tournament, the 1916 National Open at Merton.
This was the beginning of seven years of frustra-
ton He played in II major championships and won
1t was quickly learned that Jones had only him
self to conquer He had mastered all the shots, but
impetuous, fiery tempered Southerner whose
safety valve explosion of temper which usually
ended in the wrapping of putter or driver shaft
around the handiest tree trunk.
10 MAJOR TITLES IN EIGHT YEARS
Once he had himself in hand Jones participated
in II major tournaments the next seven years and
nine. Then came the grand finale-193O-in which
he swept the United States and British Amateur and
Open championships for his historic Grand Slam and
a record of 10 major titles in eight years.
The seven years following Jones initial major
triumph in the National Open at Inwood in 1928
sttute the most amazing span of golf achievement in
history In that period Jones' major in the Army
Air Force, the National Amateur five times and
was he worse than second in the National Open In
four of the years he engaged in play-ots.
He won the Open title four times and crossed the
Atlantic to win the British Open three. The British
Amateur, an all-match play affair, proved the most
elusive Jones did not win this diadem until 1880. 1t
part of his Grand Slam
Not once this seven-year stretch did Jones
score an 80 in major competition. Several times he
came close but 70 was the ceiling a mark to which
else point, even in these days of stream
lined and jack-rabbt pellets (pre-war, of
course).
1t was fitting that Jones' song should have
been sung at Merton, the course on which he made
his debut.
He made shambles of the 1880 National ANA
teur winding up in blaze of glory by defeated Gene
Homans and 7, in the final to nail the payof peg in
the Grand Slam box those among the 10000 who
could fight and shove for peek at the phenom-
enon churned Merion's 18th green into muddy mass
SPARK MISSING IN COMEBACK
Jones deserted the amateur ranks in 1881 but not
for professionals billet. He shot for higher game
Hollywood and rich Institutional movie contract
which assured him enough to keep the wolf away from
the door.
Subsequently Jones attempted comeback to in
sure of the Masters tournament at the Angus
ia National Golf Club, organization in which he
had financial interest.
But the incompatible Bobby had lost the COM
petitive fire Gone his unerring accuracy with
driver brassie and spoon. Gone also his silken
putting touch with Calamity Jane
Most important the loss of his imperturb-
ability-that quality of concentration difficult
to cultivate and necessary to expert golf or rea-