Ernest Jones

Ernest Jones (October 25, 1887– July 1965) was an English professional golfer. He is renowned for his accomplishments in teaching many famous professional golfers as well as amateurs. He tutored Virginia Van Wie for many years, including during her stretch of three consecutive U.S. Women's Amateurs from 1932 to 1934. He also worked with Glenna Collett Vare, Lawson Little, Betty Hicks, Phil Farley, George Schniter, Horton Smith and other top players of the era. Early life Jones was born near Manchester, England. He began playing golf as a young boy and won the caddie championship at age 12. By the age of 18 secured employment at Chislehurst Golf Club as an assistant professional. In 1913 at the age of 25 he was made head professional at that club. In 1914 he joined the army. As a soldier in the First World War, he was in France. There in March 1916 he was serving in the Sportsman's Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers, near Loos. As the result of an exploding grenade, he suffered the loss of his right leg just below the knee. While a severe injury on its own merit, Jones was afraid it would be a handicap and perhaps be the end to his career as a professional golfer. He was sent back to England where he recuperated for four months. Able to walk using crutches, he proceeded to attempt his first round of golf at Royal Norwich in 1916 where he carded an 83 (38/45) on that first outing. He followed shortly thereafter with a 72 on a long and challenging course. While a relief regarding his prospects for continuing the golf profession, these rounds would prove to bring a surprising and revolutionary change to his concept of golf and its instruction. Later, he was fitted with a prosthetic. In 1923, at the invitation of Marion Hollins, Jones accepted the position of Head Golf Professional at the Women's National Golf and Tennis Club in Long Island, New York. Along with his wife Rosina and daughter Patricia, they located in Oyster Bay, New York. The residence was a short eight miles to the golf course. This was the beginning of a lifelong career of teaching in the U.S. Subsequent to this position, Jones began teaching in New York City. He had an indoor teaching facility on the 7th floor of the A.G. Spaulding and Bros. store at 518 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.