BOBBY JONES AND THE AUGUST NATIONAL
Shortly after retiring from competitive golf in 1930, the great Bobby Jones turned to fulfilling one his long- held ambitions: designing the ultimate golf course. After playing the best of the world’s existing championship courses, he had developed his own thoughts of an ideal course that would be both a good test of golf and fun to play as well. Jones was convinced that such a course would increase the popularity of the noble game.
For assistance, Bobby turned to the game’s greatest golf architect, Dr. Alistair MacKenzie. The Scottish designer had already developed Jones’ favorite course, California’s fabled Cypress Point. With the scenic beauty of the Monterey Peninsula as a backdrop, Cypress Point became known as “The Sistine Chapel of Golf”.
With MacKenzie willing to help, Jones then set out to find the piece of natural, rolling land he had dreamed about for so long. He wanted his ideal course to be located in his native Georgia, not far from his Atlanta home. But where? Enter Clifford Roberts, an investment banker who was one of Bobby’s most ardent fans. When the golfer confided his problems in locating the course, Roberts enthusiastically recommended that superb winter getaway resort – Augusta.
Roberts had just heard that Fruitlands, the South’s first commercial nursery, was on the market. It was a plum piece of choice land with a pine forest, shrubs and plantings galore. Jones and Roberts investigated it, and Bobby made a simple, on-the-spot decision: “Perfect!” And so was the price – 365 acres for $70,000!
Jones requested the banker assist with the plans for financing the purchase and organizing the club. The golfing great conceded years later that it was one of his best decisions ever. The well-connected Roberts, with his Wall Street background and a host of friends who were corporate executives, captains of industry, and enthusiastic golfers, was the perfect choice to help Jones realize his dream. And the game’s most spectacular joint venture was born – the Augusta National Golf Club.
With MacKenzie at his side, Jones tramped over every yard of the land making suggestions and giving directions. And when the designs were done, he went out with his clubs and personally tested the layout before the grass was finally planted. Jones’ and MacKenzie’s meticulous efforts paid off handsomely. The resultant Augusta course compares favorably with Cypress Point, and is perpetually named in every poll as one of the best courses in America. Dr. Mackenzie himself would later call Augusta National his “bet opportunity and, I believe, my finest achievement”.
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