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Golf Legacies


 "I don’t play against other men, I play against par"

Bobby Jones, best known as the Grand Slam champion of golf, grew up and learned to play golf at Atlanta Athletic Club, alongside Alexa Stirling and Perry Adair. The Jones Museum inside the AAC clubhouse holds the largest collection of Bobby Jones memorabilia in the world. It contains not only replicas of the Grand Slam trophies, but also elements of his personal life, such as letters written between him and dear friend, President Dwight Eisenhower. 

VIDEO: THE LEGACY OF BOBBY JONES
Championship Highlights
  • Grand Slam - 1930
  • U.S. Open - 1930 1929, 1926, 1923
  • U.S. Amateur - 1930, 1928, 1927, 1925, 1924
  • British Open - 1930, 1927, 1926
  • British Amateur - 1930
  • Southern Open - 1927
  • Southern Amateur - 1922, 1920, 1917
  • Georgia Amateur - 1916


Other Accomplishments
  • Founded the Masters Tournament - 1934
  • Founded Augusta National Club - 1933
  • Founded Peachtree Golf Club - 1947
  • Walker Cup Participant - 1922, 1924, 1926
  • Walker Cup Captain - 1930, 1928
  • Dixie Whiz Kids - 1917-1918
 

"I have never had any particular trouble with my iron shots, and this is due largely to the fact that even when I was a tiny tot I did not play with dolls as most girls do. I played instead with hammer and nails..."


Alexa Stirling is the greatest champion that women's golf has ever forgotten. Stirling was a student of Atlanta Athletic Club's Stewart Maiden at a young age, who believed that if she only dropped her other persuits, she could become an incredible golfer. In the end, however, Stirling did it all. Not only did she compete and win in several amateur championships across North America, but she maintained several creative passions throughout her life. In 2023 Atlanta Athletic Club acquired a replica of the U.S. Women's Amateur trophy, which Stirling won three times. In 2035, the Club will host the amateur for the second time in its history, the first being in 1950 at their former East Lake location.

MORE ON ALEXA
Championship Highlights
  • Canadian Women's Amateur - 1934, 1920
  • Metropolitan Women's Amateur - 1923, 1922
  • U.S. Women's Amateur - 1920, 1919, 1916 (not held 1917-18)
  • Women's Southern Amateur - 1920, 1916, 1915

Other Accomplishments
  • Honorary Member of Royal Ottawa
  • One of the first women to become a bond trader
  • WWI Lieutenant - Ambulance Driver and Mechanic 
  • Violinist with the Atlanta Smphony
  • Dixie Whiz Kids - 1917-1918



“I never played the game for trophies or awards. I played strictly for the competitiveness of it."


Thomas W. Barnes qualified for the U.S. Amateur 16 years in a row. Barnes had the honor and opportunity to play alongside Bobby Jones in his last round of golf during the Bobby Jones Four-Ball Championship in 1948. He would later break Jones' course record at East Lake at age 73.

Inside the AAC clubhouse, members and their guests can enjoy a comfortable seat inside the Barnes Room, surrounded by articles and heirlooms of Barnes' golf career.

The Tommy Barnes Room
Championship Highlights
  • Southern Amateur - 1949, 1947
  • Southeastern PGA Open - 1946
  • Southeastern Amateur - 1946, 1938
  • Pan American - 1941
  • Georgia Amateur - 1941
  • Atlanta City Amateur - 1937, 1935

Other Accomplishments
  • GSGA Director  - 18 Years
  • USGA Southeastern Sectional Committee Director - 14 Years
  • GSGA's Player of the Year Award named the Tommy Barnes Award
  • U.S. Amateur Qualifier - 16 years straight



"He is a very graceful player, and one of the best of his age in this country today." Atlanta Journal Constitution, 1920


Perry Adair was "an integral part of the Golden Age of Golf." While he, like Bobby Jones and Alexa Stirling, received teaching from Atlanta Athletic Club golf professional Stewart Maiden, he also grew up under the same roof as Atlanta's "Father of Golf," his father, George Adair.

GEORGIA TECH: GOLF HERITAGE
Championship Highlights
  • Southern Amateur - 1923, 1921
  • Georgia Amateur - 1922

Other Accomplishments
  • Member of U.S. Olympic Golf Team
  • Played No. 1 for Georgia Tech
  • Dixie Whiz Kids - 1917-1918



"She simplifies the golf swing about as much as anyone you can think of — no fuss and feathers about it — just a natural-looking stroke from start to finish." - USGA Journal 1951


Dot Kirby was the youngest female golfer to ever win a state championshp when she won the Georgia Women's Amateur in 1933 at age 13. She would go on to win the championship 5 more times in her golf career. When she was 15, Kirby played in a fourball exhibition with Joyce Wethered, Charlie Yates, and Bobby Jones as her partner. 

HALL OF CHAMPIONS - DOT KIRBY     ABOUT: National Titleholders
Championship Highlights
  • Georgia Women's Amatuer - 1953, 1952, 1941, 1936, 1935, 1933
  • U.S. Women's Amateur - 1951
  • North and South Women's Amateur - 1943
  • Titleholders Championship - 1942, 1941
  • Georgia Women's Amateur - 1941

Other Accomplishments
  • Curtis Cup Champion - 1954, 1952, 1950, 1948 
  • U.S. Women's Amateur Runner-Up at age 14 - 1934
  • Sportscaster for Radio and Television - Mid 1950's

The best grin in golf

Charlie Yates received USGA's highest award, the Bob Jones Award, in 1980 for his outstanding sportsmanship. In 1938 he won the British Amateur, which took place at Royal Troon Golf Club. Visitors and members of Atlanta Athletic Club can find a cabinet of the golfer's memorabilia in the Yates Lounge, located just outside the club restaurant, Royal Troon Grill.

Yates is also acknowledged for leading the charge in raising $20 million for the High Museum.

READ: Georgia Tech Legend Charlie Yates
Championship Highlights
  • British Amateur - 1938
  • Western Amateur - 1935
  • NCAA Championship - 1934
  • Georgia Amateur - 1932, 1931

Other Accomplishments
  • Bob Jones Award - 1980
  • Head of Atlanta Art Alliance (later Woodruff Arts Center) - 1973 - 1983
  • Atlanta Symphony Orchestra President - 1962-1965
  • Walker Cup Captain - 1953
  • Walker Cup Team - 1938
  • Masters Participant 11 Times
  • Masters Press Committee
  • Augusta National Golf Club Secretary


“I couldn’t avoid it because it was at a course up the street from my house. And lo and behold, I won the thing,” - of winning the 1990 Women's Southern Amateur

Martha Kirouac is the third member of Atlanta Athletic Club to win the U.S. Women's Amateur, following Dot Kirby and Alexa Stirling. However, Kirouac most enjoyed her time as a Curtis Cup Captain in 2004

In 2023, Kirouac was honored alongside Kelly Kuehne, Jane Park and Morgan Pressel during a reveal and celebration of Atlanta Athletic Club's replica of the U.S. Women's Amateur trophy. The foursome shared their competition experience  before Kirouac had the honor of revealing the trophy in its' display case.

PHOTOS: U.S. Women's Amateur Night   READ: A Storybook Career
Championship Highlights
  • Women's Southern Amateur - 1990
  • Georgia Women's Amateur - 1986
  • Trans-Mississippi Women's Amateur - 1970
  • U.S. Women's Amateur - 1970
  • Women's Intercollegiate - 1967

Other Accomplishments
  • First Woman Elected as Executive Director of GSGA - 2013-2015
  • Served on USGA Women's Committee
  • Curtis Cup Captain - 2004

Tennis Legacies

“Thornton was one of the very best players ever developed in the south." - Bryan Grant

 
Dr. Nathaniel (Nat) Thotnton's tennis career spanned almost 3 decades, from age 17 to 44.

He won 20 singles and doubles tournaments throughout the U.S. from 1901 to 1918.

An extensive collection of Thornton's trophies are on display inside the Tennis Center at Atlanta Athletic Club.

GEORGIA HALL OF FAME PROPOSAL
Championship Highlights
  • Georgia State Tennis Doubles Championship - 1927, 1926, 1925
  • North Carolina State Tennis Doubles Championship - 1926 
  • Southern States Tennis Doubles Champion - 1918, 1915, 1912, 1907, 1906 
  • Old Dominion Tennis Mixed Doubles Championship - 1915, 1913
  • Virginia State Tennis Doubles Championship - 1914
  • Southern States Tennis Singles Champion - 1913, 1908, 1907
  • Southern States Tennis Mixed Doubles Champion - 1912
  • Old Dominion Tennis Singles Championship  -1912
  • Ohio State Tennis Doubles Championship - 1911
  • South Atlantic States Tennis Singles Championship - 1911, 1907, 1906, 1904 
  • South Atlantic States Tennis Mixed Doubles Championship - 1910
  • Indiana State Tennis Singles Championship - 1910
  • Indiana State Tennis Doubles Championship - 1910
  • Tennessee State Tennis Singles Championship - 1908
  • Gulf States Tennis Singles Championship - 1907, 1906, 1903
  • South Atlantic States Tennis Doubles Championship - 1907, 1906
  • Gulf States Tennis Doubles Championship - 1906

Other Accomplishments
  • Truck Manager, John Smith Chevrolet - 1945, 1933-1942,
  • Real Estate Agent, Rankin-Whitten Realty - 1942-145
  • Brand Director, Federal Motor Truck Company - 1928
  • Dentist
  • AAC Baseball Team Champion

Itsy Bitsy the Giant Killer


Known for his small stature and powerful punch, AAC Member, Bryan "Bitsy" Grant Jr.  was a 5' 4," 120 lb tennis champion that could crush heavy hitters like Don Budge and Ellsworth Vines. Grant continued to play competitively even into his sixties.

READ: International Tennis Hall of Fame Bio
Championship Highlights
  • 19 U.S. Singles Titles, as a Senior - 1956-1976
  • Davis Cup Champion - 1937
  • U.S. Clay Court Champion - 1930, 1934, 1935
  • GIAA Tennis Title - 1929

Other Accomplishments
  • Ranked nine times in the U.S. Top Ten (USTLA) - 1930-1941
  • Wimbledon Quarterfinals - 1937, 1936
  • Ranked World No. 6 - 1937
  • Davis Cup Team - 1937, 1936, 1935
  • Ranked World No. 8 - 1936
  • Ranked second in USTLA - 1936
  • Ranked third  in USTLA - 1935
  • WWII Veteran  - Pacific Islands Rifleman

Club President 


Adair was the third president of the Atlanta Athletic Club and was instrumental in building the East Lake Country Club, now East Lake Golf Club, after the land was purchased from AAC member Henry Atkinson for a nominal price.

He helped mentor Bobby Jones. His own son, Perry Adair, was a champion golfer and is a member of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.

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Athletic Director

John Heisman is known for his namesake, the Heisman Trophy, and his commitment to the Georgia Tech football team from 1904 to 1919, but he was also the Athletic Director at AAC from 1908 to 1911. He's credited for coaching the Club's rough and rugged basketball team into winning form!

One of the Club's meeting rooms is named after Heisman and contains photographs of the coach and a large print of the contract he signed when he became the Athletic Club Director.

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Club President 


Scott Hudson was the Club President from 1919 to 1937 and is credited with saving the Club from foreclosure during the Great Depression.

Hudson was known for finding inventive ways to save the Club money, such as establishing the "Pencil Committee" in 1940. The May 1940 Club Times reported, "the Pencil Committee has insisted that all pencils be cut in two and that only one be allowed to a foursome, which they say shall result in a savings of 87%,  or $1.98 for the year."

Within the Club lies the Hudson Study, a small room where members can host a small private meeting or have a quiet space to briefly work at a desk.

You can read more about Scott Hudson's time as president at AAC in the Club's history book "A Host to History." You can also listen to the chapter on Hudson at the link below.

Episode 8: Fires, Adversity, and the Great Depression

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Head Golf Professionals

The Sargent family served the AAC with distinction for fifty-three years. After Stewart Maiden left the AAC, a succession of golf professionals, including Willie Ogg, Frank Ball, Billy Wilson, and Charlie Gray followed, but none left the kind of indelible imprint that the Sargents did. George Sargent became the professional at East Lake in 1932. Born in Epsom Downs, England, he learned to play golf early and immigrated to the United States as an established player and professional. He won the 1909 U.S. Open, setting a record for the lowest score, and did the same in the 1912 Canadian Open. His U.S. Open medal is on display at the entrance to the AAC’s golf shop, appropriately named in honor of the Sargent family. George served as president of the PGA of America from 1920 to 1926. While working at Chevy Chase Golf Club, he gave lessons to President Taft. From there, he moved to Interlachen and then Scioto.

Two years after Bobby Jones won the Grand Slam, he came to East Lake and remained there until his retirement in 1947. Harold Sargent, an assistant at the club, followed his father as club professional at the AAC upon George’s retirement. Harold served the golfing community as president of the PGA of America from 1958 to 1960 and was instrumental in bringing the 15th Biennial Ryder Cup Matches to East Lake in 1963. He moved with the club when it elected to go north in the 1960s. In 1979, his brother, Jack, became the professional at the new facility and served until 1985, just as the AAC was building its reputation for the new courses as a championship venue. The Sargent’s legacy continues. Rick Anderson, the past director of golf, trained under the Sargents and was one of the first golf professionals in Georgia to earn the Master Professional designation. As a result of his efforts, the AAC golf shop began to be listed regularly among the top 20 in the nation.

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