Bobby jones: A stroke of genius

[Wisconsin Golfer]

I just watched BOBBY JONES: A STROKE OF GENIUS and I thought it was a great movie. I also had no idea of his health problems. I also didn't know that he founded AUGUSTA NATIONAL and THE MASTERS. What did you guys and girls think of it?

[Dub]

Great movie.

Glad you enjoyed it and learned more about the man and his history. He is legendary around here.

[PEZGolf]

I just watched BOBBY JONES: A STROKE OF GENIUS and I thought it was a great movie. I also had no idea of his health problems. I also didn't know that he founded AUGUSTA NATIONAL and THE MASTERS. What did you guys and girls think of it?

It is a decent, but not great, movie. It does serve the purpose of introducing Robert Jones to those who are unaware of what a great golfer, gentleman, and celebrity he was. I happen to be a big fan of Walter Hagen, who was from Rochester, New York. The scene between Hagen and Jones in the grill room after their first match is a classic. Jones started out making 3's on every hole, and Hagen told him that 18 X 3=54, which is a score that would NEVER be duplicated. After that, Jones' game unraveled. Then, Hagen told him why he beat him and would beat him again---"I HAVE to win; to pay my bills". Jones came from a wealthy family and could afford to stay an amateur. Hagen took pride in THRASHING Jones 12 and 11 in their BIG match in 1926 that began on Jones' home course in Florida. It was the #1 pro playing the #1 amateur, and was publicized that way. Jones admitted it was the most lopsided loss he ever incurred, but that he LEARNED from it. What does that tell us about the man and the Champion golfer?

[Alex1]

I thought the movie failed to achieve its potential and was just marginally watchable. The Greatest Game Ever played was better.

[colin007]

Hagen took pride in THRASHING Jones 12 and 11 in their BIG match in 1926 that began on Jones' home course in Florida.

how do you beat someone 12 & 11? did they play more than 18 holes?

[Wisconsin Golfer]

how do you beat someone 12 & 11? did they play more than 18 holes?

I was wondering that and wasn't his home course in Georgia? Just asking, I could be wrong.

[Craig Mac]

I thought the movie failed to achieve its potential and was just marginally watchable. The Greatest Game Ever played was better.

Both are great movies, although the facts in The Greatest Game were distorted. There was a recent thread here talking about golf movies.

how do you beat someone 12 & 11? did they play more than 18 holes?

By playing a 72 hole exhibition

I was wondering that and wasn't his home course in Georgia? Just asking, I could be wrong.

East Lake Golf Club, home of the Tour Championship

[PEZGolf]

how do you beat someone 12 & 11? did they play more than 18 holes?

It was match play, scheduled for 36 holes on Jones course (actually, Hagen won the coin toss and elected to start on his opponent's home turf, which almost caused a heart attack with his promoter), and 36 holes on Hagen's course, BUT the match ends when one player is up more holes than remain. Result: 12 and 11 victory to THE HAIG.

[PEZGolf]

I was wondering that and wasn't his home course in Georgia? Just asking, I could be wrong.

THE MATCH is fully described in both players' autobiographies. On pages 148 to 160 of "The Walter Hagen Story" by THE HAIG, HIMSELF, he writes about Bob Jones' home course at that time (1926) being in Sarasota. Hagen's promoter was Bob Harlow, and he is quoted as asking the following in regard to THE HAIG's preference for playing in Sarasota for the first 36 holes: "But why do that, Walter? You'll have a much better chance at Pasadena where you know every blade of grass." THE HAIG replied: "Here's the point, Bob. At Sarasota, Bobby's a very popular fellow. He'll have a huge gallery following him around, patting him on the back, shaking his hand.....and yelling for him. Me? Well, on my side, there'll be you, me and my caddie. There'll be nobody and nothing to take my attention off my game. I can concentrate completely on what I'm doing. In a match of this kind, I do better with my back against the wall. Do you get the idea?" At the end of 36 holes in Sarasota, THE HAIG was 8 up!! No wonder Hagen won FIVE PGA Championships, all at match play, and three in a row. He and Jack are tied with the most PGA Championships, and NO ONE else has won three in a row. Many call him THE GREATEST MATCH PLAY COMPETITOR OF ALL TIME.

[PEZGolf]

I was wondering that and wasn't his home course in Georgia? Just asking, I could be wrong.

East Lake was his original home course, but in the 1920's, he played at Saratota in Florida as his home course.

[PEZGolf]

I was wondering that and wasn't his home course in Georgia? Just asking, I could be wrong.

Stewart Maiden, the Head Pro at East Lake, was the model for Jones's swing:

"Although he started playing at such a young age, Jones never had any formal lessons. Instead, he learned the golf swing by mimicking East Lake's Scottish professional, Stewart Maiden. Following Maiden around the course during 18-hole rounds with club members, Jones developed the natural, fluid swing that would become his trademark." From Google.

[Craig Mac]

East Lake was his original home course, but in the 1920's, he played at Saratota in Florida as his home course.

Never knew he had more than one home course, thanks for the info!!

[PEZGolf]

Never knew he had more than one home course, thanks for the info!!

You are welcome. By the way, like anyone else who loves golf, I really respect and admire Mr. Jones. So, even though Hagen is one of my favorites of all time, I do not let that make me disregard the greatness of Jones. The people who saw them play against each other were so very fortunate. It shows they both were great competitors to agree to a match like that famous one that took place in 1926 when Hagen was the #1 pro and Jones the #1 amateur.

[Todd]

I liked the movie and have watched it several times during this deployment. Found it inspiring and entertaining. Loved the quote at the end with him and O.B. in the car when O.B asked him what he planned on doing for himself after pleasing everybody else. Not to get off topic, but also spent alot of time watching during this deployment watching Greatest Game, Bagger Vance, Tin Cup, Caddyshack, and Happy Gilmore, plus the entire 9 seasons of Everbody Loves Raymond. Needless to say, I try and watch anything golf related. I also own every one of Tiger's major wins on DVD, except the 07 PGA and two previous US Opens. Just ordered the 08 Open off amazon!