Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bobby Jones’ Net Worth?
Bobby Jones, an iconic figure in golf and a lawyer, had a net worth of approximately $5 million at the time of his death in 1971. This wealth was primarily accumulated through his legal career, endorsements, and various ventures related to golf, rather than direct earnings from playing the sport, as he remained an amateur throughout his competitive career. While $5 million was his estimated net worth at the time of his death in 1971, it is important to note that this figure is not adjusted for inflation. Taking inflation into account, $5 million in 1971 would be equivalent to a significantly higher value today.
Early Life and Education
Robert Tyre Jones Jr. was born on March 17, 1902, in Atlanta, Georgia. Encouraged by his father, an Atlanta lawyer, Jones developed a love for golf at a young age to strengthen him. He quickly became a child prodigy, winning his first children’s tournament at the age of six at East Lake Golf Club. By age 14, he was driving the ball 250 yards with rubber golf balls and wooden shafted golf clubs. In 1916, at the age of 14, Jones won his first major golf event, the inaugural Georgia Amateur Championship. He furthered his education by earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech in 1922, where he also played on the varsity golf team. Demonstrating a broad range of interests, Jones then pursued and obtained an A.B. in English Literature from Harvard College in 1924. In 1928, he attended Emory University law school, passing the Bar after only three semesters and joined his father’s law firm, practicing civil and contract law until his death. This diverse academic background laid a solid foundation for his later professional and entrepreneurial endeavors. He was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Golf Career and Achievements
Bobby Jones is celebrated as one of the most successful amateur golfers of all time. From 1923 to 1930, he dominated top-level amateur competition and competed successfully against the world’s best professional golfers. Jones secured 13 major championships, including five U.S. Amateur Championships (1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, and 1930), one British Amateur Championship (1930), four U.S. Open Championships (1923, 1926, 1929, and 1930), and three British Open Championships (1926, 1927, and 1930). In 1930, he achieved the unprecedented “Grand Slam,” winning all four major golf tournaments of the era in a single calendar year. This accomplishment solidified his place in golf history. Jones represented the United States in the Walker Cup five times, winning nine of his 10 matches, and the U.S. won the trophy all five times. He served as playing captain of the U.S. team in 1928 and 1930. He also won two other tournaments against professionals: the 1927 Southern Open and the 1930 Southeastern Open. In all Jones played in 31 majors, winning 13 and placing among the top ten finishers 27 times. His remarkable achievements were recognized with induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
Retirement and Subsequent Ventures
At the age of 28, in 1930, Bobby Jones retired from competitive golf. In September 1930, Jones turned professional. Though he did not intend to earn money from playing golf in pro tournaments, Jones intended to make money from instructional films and books. He then focused on his legal career and various golf-related business opportunities. In 1931, Warner Bros. began shooting the “How I Play Golf” short films in Hollywood. Each of the 12 films had a storyline and theme with a golf lesson by Bobby Jones. Many Hollywood stars volunteered to appear in the films. In 1932, Jones designed a set of woods and the first ever matched set of irons for Spalding Golf Company. His signature clubs sold 2 million sets in 15 different models. Jones co-founded the Masters Tournament and helped design the Augusta National Golf Club in 1933. The club was purchased for $70,000 in 1931. The Augusta National Golf Club officially opened in January 1933. The Masters Tournament, originally known as the Augusta National Invitational, was first held in 1934 and evolved into one of golf’s four major championships. Jones played in the Masters from 1934 to 1948. Jones also founded and owned Coca-Cola bottling companies in New England, Michigan, Scotland, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. His business acumen and popularity significantly contributed to his financial success. Later, in 1947, he founded Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta and co-designed the course with Robert Trent Jones.
Legal Career
Beyond his golfing achievements, Bobby Jones was a respected lawyer. After studying at Georgia Tech and Harvard, he earned his law degree and practiced law in Atlanta. This career provided a stable income and contributed substantially to his net worth. While specific details about his legal cases and earnings are not publicly available, his success in the legal field was a significant factor in his overall financial picture. Jones joined his father’s law firm, practicing civil and contract law until his death.
Augusta National and The Masters
Bobby Jones’s most enduring legacy is arguably the Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. In 1933, Jones helped design the Augusta National Golf Club. In March 1934, Bobby Jones co-founded the Augusta National Invitation Tournament (later named the Masters). Jones acquired the land for Augusta National, a 365-acre property called Fruitland Nurseries, for $70,000 in 1931. He, along with Clifford Roberts, founded the Augusta National Golf Club. Although he did not receive direct financial compensation from the tournament due to his amateur status, the Masters became a major source of revenue for the club and significantly enhanced his reputation and influence in the world of golf. The innovations that he introduced at the Masters have been copied by virtually every professional golf tournament in the world. Jones served as President in 1933 and remains President in Perpetuity. He helped to organize the annual Masters Tournament, first held in 1934.
Personal Life and Death
Bobby Jones married Clara Malone Jones Black in 1924, and they had three children: Clara Malone, Robert T. III, and Mary Ellen. In 1958 he became the first American since Benjamin Franklin (in 1759) to receive the freedom of the burgh of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, home of the premier golf club of the world. He was pronounced honorary burgess and guild brother of the city. Jones died on December 18, 1971, at the age of 69, from syringomyelia, a spinal disease. His contributions to golf and his personal style have cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s most revered figures. When the news reaches St. Andrews, golfers stop their play and the flag at the clubhouse is lowered to half-mast. St. Andrews renamed the 10th hole in honor of Jones. He is buried at Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery.
