Atlanta – From Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, the Atlanta Athletic Club will host a celebration of Bobby Jones’ accomplishment of winning the four national Opens and amateur championships of the U.S. and Great Britain in 1930, called the “Grand Slam” in golf. Most of the private functions will take place at the club, with one reception to at the Atlanta History Center, which has a signature golf exhibit called “Down the Fairway with Bobby Jones.”
Bobby Jones was a member of the Atlanta Athletic Club throughout his life,” says Chris Borders, general manager of the club. “Our September celebration will bring to Atlanta representatives of the clubs that hosted the events comprising the Grand Slam in 1930, including St. Andrews, Hoylake, Interlachen and Merion. We think that it is indicative of not only Jones’ remarkable athletic achievement, but the great legacy he left the game of golf, that so many people want to share in our celebration.”
Guests begin arriving for the celebration Sept. 29. Part of the entertainment that evening will include AAC club professionals hitting gutta percha golf balls with antique hickory-shafted clubs, a demonstration of how Jones dealt with the limitations of the equipment technology of his era. As part of the ceremonies, flags from each club will be raised on the grounds at AAC. Monuments recognizing each of the 1930 Grand Slam victories will be dedicated that evening.
The following day’s activities at the club include a golf competition between members of the representatives from the various clubs participating versus members of the AAC. Late in the afternoon, guests will be transported to the Atlanta History Center for a private viewing of the exhibit on Jones, which this year was expanded by additional Jones’ artifacts loaned by the USGA.
The items from the USGA collection include Calamity Jane II (the putter used in 10 of Jones’ 13 national championships); Jones’ competition medals; U.S. Amateur golf ball and scorecard from 1930; Thomas Stephens’ portrait of Jones; Jones’ 1930 passport; and the prestigious Sullivan Award, 1930 (given by the Amateur Athletic Union), among other artifacts. A traveling exhibit on Jones and the Grand Slam will be on view at the AAC during the festivities.
A black tie dinner that will feature presentations by the representatives from each of the clubs in attendance takes place Oct. 1.
The Atlanta Athletic Club was founded in 1898 and added a suburban golf course at East Lake that opened in 1908. Bobby Jones learned the game at the Atlanta Athletic Club and maintained his membership throughout his life. Jones was instrumental in bringing the U.S. Open to the Atlanta Athletic Club in 1976, having written his invitation to host the event at the club just weeks before his death in 1971. The club has hosted many significant championships throughout its history. On the club’s Highlands course these events include the USGA Junior Championship in 2002, the PGA Championship in 2001, the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 1984, and the PGA Championship in 1981. The club will be the site of the 2011 PGA Championship.
Golf Digest recognized the Riverside course at Atlanta Athletic Club as among the top 10 of new private courses in the U.S. in its rankings for 2004, with the course placing No. 9. Golf course architect Rees Jones renovated the Riverside layout, including rerouting of holes and other major revisions to the layout that first opened in 1967 as part of the original 27 holes at the club designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The Riverside course hosted the 1990 U.S. Women’s Open Championship. In 2011 the Atlanta Athletic Club’s Highlands course will host the PGA Championship, the fifth major championship hosted by the club.
Bobby Jones was a member of the Atlanta Athletic Club throughout his life,” says Chris Borders, general manager of the club. “Our September celebration will bring to Atlanta representatives of the clubs that hosted the events comprising the Grand Slam in 1930, including St. Andrews, Hoylake, Interlachen and Merion. We think that it is indicative of not only Jones’ remarkable athletic achievement, but the great legacy he left the game of golf, that so many people want to share in our celebration.”
Guests begin arriving for the celebration Sept. 29. Part of the entertainment that evening will include AAC club professionals hitting gutta percha golf balls with antique hickory-shafted clubs, a demonstration of how Jones dealt with the limitations of the equipment technology of his era. As part of the ceremonies, flags from each club will be raised on the grounds at AAC. Monuments recognizing each of the 1930 Grand Slam victories will be dedicated that evening.
The following day’s activities at the club include a golf competition between members of the representatives from the various clubs participating versus members of the AAC. Late in the afternoon, guests will be transported to the Atlanta History Center for a private viewing of the exhibit on Jones, which this year was expanded by additional Jones’ artifacts loaned by the USGA.
The items from the USGA collection include Calamity Jane II (the putter used in 10 of Jones’ 13 national championships); Jones’ competition medals; U.S. Amateur golf ball and scorecard from 1930; Thomas Stephens’ portrait of Jones; Jones’ 1930 passport; and the prestigious Sullivan Award, 1930 (given by the Amateur Athletic Union), among other artifacts. A traveling exhibit on Jones and the Grand Slam will be on view at the AAC during the festivities.
A black tie dinner that will feature presentations by the representatives from each of the clubs in attendance takes place Oct. 1.
The Atlanta Athletic Club was founded in 1898 and added a suburban golf course at East Lake that opened in 1908. Bobby Jones learned the game at the Atlanta Athletic Club and maintained his membership throughout his life. Jones was instrumental in bringing the U.S. Open to the Atlanta Athletic Club in 1976, having written his invitation to host the event at the club just weeks before his death in 1971. The club has hosted many significant championships throughout its history. On the club’s Highlands course these events include the USGA Junior Championship in 2002, the PGA Championship in 2001, the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 1984, and the PGA Championship in 1981. The club will be the site of the 2011 PGA Championship.
Golf Digest recognized the Riverside course at Atlanta Athletic Club as among the top 10 of new private courses in the U.S. in its rankings for 2004, with the course placing No. 9. Golf course architect Rees Jones renovated the Riverside layout, including rerouting of holes and other major revisions to the layout that first opened in 1967 as part of the original 27 holes at the club designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The Riverside course hosted the 1990 U.S. Women’s Open Championship. In 2011 the Atlanta Athletic Club’s Highlands course will host the PGA Championship, the fifth major championship hosted by the club.
