Robert Tyre

"Bobby" Jones is considered by many people to be the greatest

amateur golfer ever, and it's coming to Fayette County.

In 1930, he

won the U.S. and British opens as well as the U.S. and British amateur

championships. He was stricken with syringomyelia, a disease of the spinal

nerves, and died in 1971.

Several years

later, four gentleman named Bob Jones were playing golf. They decided

that they would start a tournament and invite all players named Bob Jones

to play. The money they would raise would go toward syringomelia research.

Since then

Bob Joneses from around the world have gathered to play golf in his honor.

More than 350 Bob Joneses from 38 states and four countries have participated

in 22 tournaments. This year's tournament will be at Whitewater Country

Club in Fayetteville, July 12-14. It is the farthest south the tournament

has ever been played, surprising when it is considered that the East Lake

Country Club was Bobby Jones' home course.

Fayetteville

resident Bob Jones (nicknamed Atlanta Bob in the tournaments) has been

playing in the tournament for 14 years. He is one of the organizers of

this year's tournament and is hoping it is one of the best ever. The Golf

Channel, WSB and Fred Kalil will all be coming out to the tournament this

year and Atlanta Bob is also looking for some celebrity Bob Jones to get

in on the fun.

Women are welcome

to play in the tournament as long as their names are Bobbi Jones, Roberta

Jones or something like that.

In the history

of the tournament it has never been rained out. Children as young as 7

years old participate and one year even had four generations playing.

Their names range from where they are from like Derby City Bob and King's

Mill Bob, to something silly. A very short player may be named Too Tall

Bob and Bob Jones from Australia goes by the name Crocodile Bob. In the

most current Fayette County phone book there are 10 people who could qualify

for the tournament.

It is a handicap

tournament with different flights. The number of players grows every year

and many people return each year to play. So far, the tournament has raised

$128,000 for syringomelia research.

Registration

deadline for this year's tournament is in June. For information phone

Bob Jones at 770-461-6735 or e-mail to [email protected].

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