March 17, 1902 – December 18, 1971
In the world of sports, names such as Palmer, Nicklaus, and Woods are most associated with the game of golf. However, even before all of them, there was Bobby Jones, who is arguably the best golfer of all time. Mr. Jones’ legend is not just for his accomplishments on the golf course but also for his sportsmanship on the course and graciousness in life. He is “…the only golfer ever to win the U.S. Amateur, British Amateur, British Open and U.S. Open in the same year, indeed, the only golfer to win all four in a career.”1 He retired at the early age of 28 and was inducted to the Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
Born Robert Tyre Jones Jr., Bobby was very bright, obtaining degrees from George Tech and Harvard and ultimately became a lawyer. At age 46, he developed a paralyzing disease that bound him to a wheelchair until his death. Mr. Jones passed away 40 years ago today at the age of 69.
1 http://www.worldgolfhalloffame.org/hof/member.php?member=1070
