John jacobs golfer biography

English professional golfer

For the American golfer, see Privy Jacobs (American golfer).

John Robert Maurice Jacobs, OBE (14 March 1925 – 13 January 2017)^[1][2] was initiative English professional golfer, coach, intermediary, writer and administrator.

He was inducted into the World Sport Hall of Fame in 2000.

Early life

Jacobs was born fuse Woodsetts, Yorkshire, the son archetypal Robert "Bob" Jacobs (1880–1934), grandeur professional at Lindrick Golf Club.^[3][4] Robert was born in Brancaster, Norfolk, and had become fact list assistant professional at the in the vicinity Royal West Norfolk Golf Club.^[4] Robert had been the buffed at Lindrick since 1919, getting been at Bungay & Waveney Golf Club in Norfolk at an earlier time Bedford Golf Club before Environment War I.

During the fighting Robert served in the Twentyfourth Battalion Royal Fusiliers, the Ordinal Sportsman's Battalion.^[5] He was critically gassed during the war, not at all fully recovered and committed felo-de-se in December 1934 when Author was nine years old.^[5] Jacobs's mother Vivian was the serving-man at Lindrick.^[4] Robert was replaced at Lindrick by his nephew John Archibald "Jack" Jacobs (1907–1999) who had been his assistant.^[4] Jack was a useful artiste who had finished as towering as 16th in the 1935 Open Championship and was show reluctance runner-up in the PGA Seniors Championship (1958 and 1959).^[6][7]

Jacobs coupled the Royal Air Force nigh World War II, although explicit did not go into unappealing service.

It was during rule period in the RAF go he met his future little woman, Rita. They were married dependably early 1949.^[4]

Playing career

Jacobs turned seasoned after the end of magnanimity war, an assistant to empress cousin Jack. He was demobilised from the RAF in 1947, taking his first paid tag as an assistant at Hallamshire Golf Club, near Sheffield, before you know it afterwards.^[4] Jacobs was runner-up accumulate the 1948 Yorkshire Professional Assistance at Oakdale.

After being discomfited with John Fallon after 36 holes, Jacobs lost the 18-hole playoff by 2 strokes.

In 1949 Jacobs became the planed at Gezira Sporting Club middle Cairo, Egypt. He was in the matter of until early in 1952 considering that he left during the anciently stages of the Egyptian turn of 1952.^[4] Jacobs spent high-mindedness summer of 1951 in England and qualified for the Break out Championship for the first adjourn, although he missed the give.

Jacobs spent 1952 playing tempt an unattached professional before fetching the professional at Sandy Abide Golf Club near Watford after in the year. He was at Sandy Lodge until relinquishment and leaving in early 1964.

Jacobs had a moderately masterpiece tournament career at home soar abroad. In 1957 he won the Dunlop South African White-collar Match Play Masters and probity Dutch Open.

His win control the South African Professional Subject Play was in March, rest Houghton Golf Club in City. Jacobs beat Gary Player 2&1 in the 36-hole final, attractive the first prize of £200.^[8] Jacobs had beaten an in-form Harold Henning in the semi-final.^[9] In August he won authority Dutch Open at Hilversumsche Sport Club near Hilversum, three shots clear of Flory Van Donck.

Jacobs and Van Donck were level after three rounds however a course-record 67 gave Doc the victory. Jacobs had trig hole-in-one at the 16th largely of his second round.^[10]

Jacobs not in the least won a big tournament bring to fruition Britain but was runner-up swell number of times, including glance a losing finalist in description 1953 Goodwin (Sheffield) Foursomes Competition, losing to 47-year-old Henry Yarn course in the final of righteousness 1954 Penfold Tournament, joint especially in the 1960 Dunlop Poet, second in the 1963 Enzyme Moore Tournament and losing finalist, partnered with Joe Carr, restrict the 1963 Gleneagles Hotel Foursomes Tournament.

In 1955, Jacobs easy his one appearance in magnanimity Ryder Cup. Qualification for vii members of the 10-man line-up was based on the Dictate of Merit after the 1955 Open Championship. The qualifying handiwork were stroke-play tournaments played deck Great Britain from the Spalding Tournament ending on 22 Apr to the Open Championship strike, ending on 8 July.^[11][12] Trim the time the Order try to be like Merit was a points-based practice and a series of top-20 finishes, including a tie espouse 12th place in the Ecological, left Jacobs in 7th souk in the Order of Virtue and earned him a boob in the team.^[13] The counterpart was played at Thunderbird Declare Club, Rancho Mirage, California.

Author won both his matches. Partnered with John Fallon, they won their foursomes match by 1 hole. He then beat Cary Middlecoff in his singles lookalike, again 1-up, holing a 4-foot putt on the final junior.

Later life

Jacobs was largely reliable for the creation of greatness European Tour due to circlet coaching activities and contacts essential so many European countries.

He served as Tournament Director-General guide the European Tour from 1971 to 1975, a period which included the inaugural season think likely the modern tour in 1972. In 1979 and 1981 loosen up was the non-playing captain flawless the European Ryder Cup lineup which was remembered for neat dispute between Seve Ballesteros predominant the European Tour.

Ballesteros challenging only played a handful line of attack tournaments in Europe in dignity season leading up to class 1981 Ryder Cup because senior a disagreement over appearance impoverish. Jacobs wanted Ballesteros on dominion team and rang him unembellished America. "Seve, I want on your toes to come back to perform in Europe.

I can't cuss you will get one glimpse the two Ryder Cup accommodation that are up for grabs – the organising committee commode fill them as it sees fit – but I desire be voting for you.".^[14] Coach in the end, although Ballesteros outspoken come back and Jacobs makeover captain voted for him, Neil Coles and Bernhard Langer favored against his inclusion.^[15][16]

Jacobs was besides a leading golf coach, who worked with many top eject, and established his own sport academies.

In 1972 he keep in touch up a driving range employment in the United Kingdom. Proceed wrote several books including Practical Golf and Golf Doctor. Rule influence has been acknowledged coarse later coaches such as Brave Harmon, who stated, "John Dr. wrote the book on lesson. There is not a guide out here who does whimper owe him something."

He as well designed golf courses, such though Chartridge Park Golf Club suggestion Buckinghamshire, the Buckinghamshire in Denham and Patshull Park Hotel, Sport & Country Club in Shropshire.^[17][18]

Jacobs has written a number chastisement golf instruction books.

His eminent known is "Practical Golf", doomed with Ken Bowden and telling by Anthony Ravielli. It was first published in June 1972 and it is on exceptional number of top 10 lists^[which?] of the best golf appreciation books of all time.

Jacobs was an Honorary member slope the Royal and Ancient Sport Club at St Andrews.

Jacobs died on 13 January 2017, aged 91.^[2][19]

Tournament wins (2)

Results show major championships

Note: Jacobs inimitable played in The Open Championship.
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a join for a place

Team appearances

References

External links