AFTER THE CEREMONY

The great wordsmith Herbert Warren Wind was present and wrote:

"He left the stage and got into his electric golf cart . As he directed it down the aisle to leave, the whole hall spontaneously burst into the old Scottish song 'Will ye No Come back Again?' So honestly heartfelt was this reunion for Bobby Jones and the people of St Andrews (and for everyone) that it was ten minutes before many who attended were able to speak again in a tranquil voice."

Sadly, Bobby Jones was not able to return to St Andrews.

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The dinner in St Andrews was held on the Friday and not Bobby Jones actual birthday, March 17, because a similar event and dinner were also being held across the Pond at the Atlanta Athletic Club and the Atlanta History Center, and the speakers were all also appearing there.

The climax of the Centenary celebration in St Andrews was an individual Stapleford tournament on the Old Course. Special enough in its own right, it was made even more memorable as the great Robert Tyre Jones, Jr's 100th birthday fell on a Sunday. For anyone who doesn't know since around 1138 when they first began chasing balls and not just sheep around the Old Course, it is traditionally closed on Sundays by law to allow the entire town the right to use the common land. Exceptions are only made for The Open Championship, Dunhill and St Andrews Links Trophy final rounds. But for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hold an amateur golf contest in honor of the greatest amateur golfer of all time, the St Andrews Links Trust graciously gave special dispensation to allow play on a Sunday.

The previous Sunday it had snowed, Friday had brought gale winds and cold temperatures, Saturday morning featured heavy rains, but Sunday the day dawned clear and mild. Unfortunately, as we basked in the sun on the tee awaiting the shotgun, a heavy fog rolled in, obscuring fairways and pins for the entire round. It really didn't matter, the day was not so much about winning, we were all winners as we had come to play the game.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT -

Bobby Jones retired from competitive golf, at the age of only 28, after winning 'The Grand Slam' in 1930 with 13 major titles in his procession. Chasing Nicklaus' record of major trophies aside, Tiger has less than 2 years to overtake Jones' incredible accomplishment.

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