Sidney L. Matthew is an expert on the life and career of Bobby Jones. Matthew is the author of “Life and Times of Bobby Jones” and “The Wit and Wisdom of Bobby Jones.” He recalls the importance of Jones’ first major championship in 1923, the U.S. Open at Inwood Country Club in New York.
Bobby Jones was about ready to fold his tents on competitive golf. Imagine that. He had played in numerous major championships for seven years and never could win. He was crushed in 1922 when he should have won and Gene Sarazen outlasted him. He was ready to quit.
When they were getting back on the train to go home, Jones sat down next to O.B. Keeler, the Atlanta writer, and said, “I think I’m done.” Keeler told him, “I believe you’re the greatest player who ever lived, and once you get that conviction through your thick skull, you’ll win a lot of them.” I think that pep talk kept him playing in ’23 at Inwood.
Another reason was the wonderful relationship that New York had with East Lake. Alex Smith immigrated from Carnoustie to be the pro at Nassau Country Club (in Long Island) and then came to East Lake. Alex brought Jimmy Maiden to Nassau and then he came to East Lake. Then he brought Stewart Maiden to Nassau and then he came to East Lake. (Note: Jones learned the game from Stewart Maiden.) So there were great relationships that had been established.
That week at Inwood, Bob was playing “Old Man Par.” The last hole at Inwood is a lagoon hole. It has a ditch running in front of it, so you’ve got to carry the water. All he had to do to win was make par. He had made a six on the last hole and when he came into the clubhouse he was disappointed. Somebody said he would still probably be the winner, and he said he didn’t feel like a winner … he felt like a dog.
Bobby Cruickshank, who was a very underrated player, wound up tied with Jones and they had an 18-hole playoff the next day. They were tied when they came to the 18th hole, and Cruikshank hit it in the bunker. Now Jones had a choice. He could either lay up and play safe and make a par or go for it and risk hitting it in the water. He hit a 2 iron to about eight feet and made it.
That was the monkey off his back. I think if he doesn’t win, he would have probably gone to law school and become a lawyer. Instead that was the win that launched the seven fat years. Imagine if he had quit?
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