The Masters Tournament is right around the corner! To celebrate, this special Wednesday edition (and subsequent three follow up editions) shares the remarkable story of the co-founder of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament; Clifford Roberts and, to a lesser degree, his partner Bobby Jones. Rest assured, we will continue to post our usual stories each and every Sunday.
Charles DeClifford (Clifford) Roberts, Jr. (3/6/1894 – 9/27/1977), co-founder of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament with Robert (Bobby) Tyrne Jones, Jr. (3/17/1902 – 12/18/1971) was a fascinating man; described as autocratic, manipulative, intelligent, loyal, dogmatic, ruthless, a visionary, intimidating, cold, a racist, attentive to detail, unforgiving, industrious, a #2 man extraordinaire, a benevolent dictator and wielding power with little concern for the ramifications.
Roberts was born in Morning Star, Iowa, but he moved frequently due to his family’s dire financial circumstances. Clifford, the second of five children, had to grow up quickly, leaving formalized education prior to the completion of the 9th grade.
Note:
Clifford’s mother committed suicide in 1913 and his father committed suicide in 1921.
Clifford’s partner (Bobby Jones) was described as educated (Georgia Tech, Harvard, Emory Law), articulate, graceful, popular, handsome, and approachable; revered for his southern charm, hospitality, class, social graces as well as his sportsmanship. Jones was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to a family of means. He was an only child, as his older brother passed away as an infant.
Note:
Bobby had a doting father, as much a friend as a parent.
An interesting partnership of diametric personalities; one from the north and one from the south, one a hustler and one a prince, one with a plan and one with a dream.
Facts:
- Bobby Jones retired from tournament golf in September of 1930 at the age of 28, shortly after completing the natural (calendar year) “Grand Slam”, winning the United States Open, United Kingdom Open, United States Amateur and the United Kingdom Amateur.
- Bobby Jones is the only sports figure to receive two New York City “Ticker Tape” Parades.
- He played in forty-three events, winning thirteen, finishing in the top ten on twenty-seven occasions.
- He was invited to write a biography (“Down the Middle”) at the age of twenty-four.
- Regarded as one of the top five players in the history of the game.
Part Two Next Wednesday, The Vision/Execution.
*”Designated Bastard” is a description of Clifford Roberts by an unnamed Augusta National Golf Club member in Curt Sampson’s book, The Masters…Golf, Money and Power in Augusta, Georgia.
Many of the facts outlined in this article are from Curt Sampson’s book, The Masters…Golf, Money and Power in Augusta, Georgia.
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