BOBBIE JONES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 January 1931, Page 5

BOBBIE JONES

RETIREMENT TO MAKE FILMS (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, 20th November. George von Elm, America’s amateur golfer, who came over to play in the British championships during the past summer, announced on his return homo that lie could not afford to play the game as an amateur any longer. He stated that golf cost him £2OOO a year, and henceforth, when lie competed in the tournaments, he would accept any money prizes he might win. It was not his intention, however, to become a professional. The statement was a little ambiguous, but it was taken to mean that he would not take up a club appointment. Bobbies Jones has startled golfers in this country, where he has so many friends, by coming to a similar decision. He has signed a contract to make a series of one-reel talking pictures on golf, and, despite the fact that these are to be purely educative, he feels that the work is contrary to the spirit of amateurism. This is fully recognised. It is said that his fees will amount to at least £50,000, and they may be increased to twice this huge sum. Jones states that he has been induced to accept the contract largely owing to the fact that he has had fourteen years of intense tournament play and he feels that he cannot go on any longer. Besides his profession —the law—needs more of his time. Jones will not play as a professional, and his decision really means his retirement from the 'game . We are never, at any rate, likely to see him in this country again. He has, of course, set up a record which may never be equalled. This is holding the four championships of Britain and America at the same time. Altogether ho has won thirteen national championships in fourteen years. It is a truly amazing feat which dwarfs the performances of even the British Triumverate. It may now be stated that the professionals, whilst greatly admiring Jones’s golf, have had a grievance against him for some time. They have stated that as an amateur he has made far more out of the game in recent years than they as professionals. This is true. For three or four years golfing articles by Jones have flooded both this country aiui America, and he has received extraordinary fees for them. His income from journalism has been estimated at not less 11 ian £15,000 a year. _ Three years ago his friends, in recognition ot liis many wonderful feats on the links, subscribed £IO,OOO with the intention of buying him a house, but this was clearly an infringement of amateurism, and Jones declined the gift. It was never stated, however, what became of the money after it had been subscribed.