Long before there were Tiger Woods, television, and tournaments with
million-dollar purses, Bobby Jones was the most recognized and revered
golfer in the world. Memories of Jones continue to burn brightly, as
does his indomitable legacy and influence. Nearly thirty years after his
death, Jones remains president-in-perpetuity of the Augusta National
Golf Club, which he co-founded and which remains the host venue of the
annual Masters Golf Tournament.
Much like the careers forged by Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold
Palmer, Jones's record stands as a landmark in golf history. By the time
he retired from competitive golf in 1930 at the age of twenty-eight,
Jones had won four U.S. Opens, three British Opens, and five U.S.
Amateur titles -- all without ever earning a dime for any of his
triumphs. Jones's status as the greatest amateur golfer, if not the
greatest golfer ever, was clinched in 1930 when he won each of those
three tournaments as well as the coveted British Amateur. That made him
the only golfer ever to win all four Grand Slam events in one calender
year.
In I Remember Bobby Jones, the indomitable golfer and successful
businessman is remembered -- in their own words -- by dozens of fellow
golfers, journalists, golf industry leaders, friends, relatives, and
followers of the game. The portrait is of a man and champion who
embodied sportsmanship and brought the words classic and golf together
in one phrase.