Jones, Robert Tyre, Jr.

Jones, Robert Tyre, Jr. (Bobby Jones), 1902–71, American golfer, b. Atlanta, Ga. A lawyer, he became a golf devotee. Jones won the National Open (1923, 1926, 1929–30), the National Amateur (1924–25, 1927–28, 1930), and the British Open (1926–27, 1930). A perfectionist given to temper tantrums in his younger years, he came to be admired for his unfailing sportsmanship. In 1930 Jones became the only player ever to achieve golf's grand slam—winning in the same year the National Open, the National Amateur, the British Open, and the British Amateur championships. He then retired from tournament play. Along with Alister McKenzie he designed the Augusta National Golf Course and founded the Masters there in 1934. In 1948 he suffered a crippling spinal cord injury that eventually caused his death.