Origins & Early Life

Robert Tyre Jones Jr. (March 17, 1902 – December 18, 1971) was an American amateur golfer who was one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport; he was also a lawyer by profession. Jones founded and helped design Augusta National Golf Club, and co-founded the Masters Tournament. The innovations that he introduced at the Masters have been copied by virtually every professional golf tournament in the world.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Jones was the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete at a national and international level. During his peak from 1923 to 1930, he dominated top-level amateur competition, and competed very successfully against the world's best professional golfers. Jones often beat stars such as Walter Hagen and Gene Sarazen, the era's top pros. Jones earned his living mainly as a lawyer, and competed in golf only as an amateur, primarily on a part-time basis, and chose to retire from competition at age 28, though he earned significant money from golf after that, as an instructor and equipment designer. Explaining his decision to retire, Jones said, "It [championship golf] is something like a cage.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

First you are expected to get into it and then you are expected to stay there...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abe Saperstein — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, revolutionized black basketball.
• Alfred Kastler — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering physicist known for developing the technique of optical pumping.
• Allen Lane — Contemporary (Born in 1902) (1902): Pioneering British publisher who founded Penguin Books, bringing literature to the masses.
• Adriano Giannini — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Italian actor known for dubbing and roles in film and television.
• Alison Krauss — Contemporary (Born in 1971) (1971): Esteemed American bluegrass singer and musician known for her vibrant career.
• Allan Nevins — Contemporary (Died in 1971) (1971): Pioneering American historian known for Civil War studies and business history.
• Bayard Rustin — Shared historical date (03-17 · Born) (1912): Pioneering organizer of nonviolence, civil rights, and socialist movements.
• Chaleo Yoovidhya — Shared historical date (03-17 · Died) (2012): Pioneering Thai entrepreneur, originator of Krating Daeng and Red Bull.
• Antonio Stradivari — Shared historical date (12-18 · Died) (1737): Master Italian luthier renowned for creating some of the finest string instruments.
• Arantxa Sánchez Vicario — Shared historical date (12-18 · Born) (1971): Spanish former tennis star, known for her defensive prowess in singles and doubles.
• 1902 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1902
• March 17 (03-17) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on March 17
• 1971 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1971
• December 18 (12-18) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 18