Bobby Jones hits his tee shot on March 24, 1934. Courtesy www.augusta.com.
Spring 1934: President Roosevelt was trying to prevent an auto strike. German Chancellor Adolf Hitler was working on a plan to increase Germany’s population. Clark Gable attended the Academy Awards dinner, but Katherine Hepburn and Charles Laughton declined to attend. And on the sports pages, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were still belting spring training home runs for the New York Yankees.
In Augusta, Georgia, Robert T. Jones Jr. – better known as Bobby – was making his return to competitive golf. The venue was Augusta National Golf Club, and the setting was the first Augusta National Invitation Tournament. At 10:35 a.m. on March 22, 1934, Jones struck his first tee shot, and history was made.
Today, golf enthusiasts from around the world watch The Masters, a sure sign of spring, and the first major tournament of the year, as champions past and present compete for the coveted Green Jacket. Held on the first full weekend of April, this year’s Masters starts on April 5th and concludes on April 8th.
I know I’ll be watching…will you?