In honor of Masters week, a look back at Bobby Jones, the pinnacle of character, integrity, respect, passion, and excellence. 5 little known facts about Bobby Jones as explored by Vision Quest Golf.
The amazing golf sensation has been an inspiration for players the world over. Just knowing something about his biography sparks motivation in the game.
The gentleman from Georgia was well known on the golf scene from 1923 to 1929, winning, during the time, 9 major championships. He retired from the world of professional golf in 1930 at the tender age of 28. Jones became the first man to achieve the distinctive golf Grand Slam in a single year, winning our major tournaments during the period.5 Little Known Facts about Bobby Jones
Little Known Fact #1 – The Brooklyn Dodgers Offered Jones a Contract
Jones was a standout baseball player and the Brooklyn Dodgers thought so too, offering Jones a contract to pay for the professional baseball team.
Little Known Fact #2 – Jones Was Sickly as a Child
When he was a child, or until the time he was 5 years old, Jones, who was small in stature, and was often sick. His older sibling, William Bailey Jones, died at 3 months of age. The first golf shots Bobby made were in his front yard on East Lake Country Club, a mere six miles from the center of Atlanta.
Little Known Fact #3 – Bobby Won His First Golf Championship at 6 Years Old.
Bobby was only 6 years old when he won a six-hole championship round at East Lake. East Lake is now the home of the PGA Tour Championship.
Little Fact #4 – Jones Was a High School or College Student During Most of His Golfing Years.
During Jones’ 13 years of competitive play, he was a high school or college student during nine of those years. He played 52 golf tournaments during the period, or about 4 per year, winning 23 of the challenges.
Little Known Fact #5 – Jones Had Names for His Putter and Driver
Jones named his Scottish made putter, Calamity Jane, which was manufactured before 1900. It became the most famous putter in the golf world. Calamity Jane was in Jones’ golf bag during most of his wins.
Bobby even named his driver, Jeannie Deans. Names seemed to be appropriate at the time, as clubs were not numbered like they are today. During those times, a 9 iron was called a niblick and a 4 iron was a jigger. You called a wood a spoon and a 6 iron a spade mashie.
