Jess Sweetser
| Jess Sweetser | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 A sketch of Sweetser by syndicated cartoonist Robert W. Edgren in 1922. | |||
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Jesse W. Sweetser | ||
| Born | April 18, 1902 St. Louis, Missouri | ||
| Died | May 27, 1989 (aged 87) Bethesda, Maryland | ||
| Sporting nationality |  United States | ||
| Spouse | Nan Lewis Sweetser; Virginia Lee Sweetser | ||
| Children | Nan, Jess Jr., Charles | ||
| Career | |||
| College | Yale University | ||
| Status | Amateur | ||
| Best results in major championships (wins: 2) | |||
| Masters Tournament | T29: 1939 | ||
| PGA Championship | DNP | ||
| U.S. Open | T14: 1920 | ||
| The Open Championship | DNP | ||
| U.S. Amateur | Won: 1922 | ||
| British Amateur | Won: 1926 | ||
| Achievements and awards | |||
| |||
Jesse W. Sweetser (April 18, 1902 – May 27, 1989) was an amateur golfer, best known as the first American-born player to win the British Amateur (the first U.S. citizen to win it was the Australian-born naturalized-American Walter Travis).
Early life
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Sweetser later attended Phillips Exeter Academy and Yale University.[1] In 1920, Sweetser won the individual title at the NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships. He received golf lessons from noted Siwanoy Country Club professional Tom Kerrigan.[2]
Golf career
Sweetser won the 1922 U.S. Amateur at the age of 20, defeating Bobby Jones 8 & 7 in the semi-final and then Chick Evans 3 & 2 in the final match. The following year, he again made the finals but lost on the second playoff hole to Max R. Marston.
In 1926, Sweetser won the British Amateur at Muirfield, defeating A.F. Simpson 6 & 5 in the final match. The 1904 winner, Walter Travis, was a naturalized American citizen born in Australia, but Sweetser's victory was the first time an American-born golfer had won the tournament.
Sweetster won the Metropolitan Amateur in 1922 and 1925.
Walker Cup
Sweetser was a member of the original Walker Cup team in 1922, and also played in 1923, 1924, 1926, 1928, and 1932. Later, he was non-playing captain for the 1967 and 1973 teams. He was also captain for the 1966 U.S. Eisenhower Trophy team.
Professional life
In his professional life, Sweetser started as a stockbroker in the 1920s, and later went to work for Curtiss-Wright. He retired in 1967 as a vice-president with Martin Marietta.[1]
Sweetser also served as treasurer and on the executive committee of the United States Golf Association.[3] In 1986, he was named the Bob Jones Award winner, given in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.
Death and legacy
Sweetser died on May 27, 1989 in Bethesda, Maryland. Sweetser served as treasurer and on the executive committee of the United States Golf Association.[3] In 1986, he was named the Bob Jones Award winner, given in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf.
Tournament wins
this list may be incomplete
- 1920 NCAA Championship
- 1922 U.S. Amateur, Metropolitan Amateur
- 1923 Gold Mashie Tournament
- 1925 Metropolitan Amateur, Gold Golf Ball Tourney (w/Glenna Collett), Gibson Island C.C. Invitational
- 1926 British Amateur
- 1927 Gold Mashie Tournament
Amateur major championships
Wins (2)
| Year | Championship | Winning Score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1922 | U.S. Amateur | 3 & 2 |  Chick Evans
|
| 1926 | British Amateur | 6 & 5 |  A.F. Simpson
|
Results timeline
| Tournament | 1919 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1927 | 1928 | 1929 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF |
| U.S. Open | DNP | T14 | DNP | DNP | WD | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| U.S. Amateur | DNQ | R16 | QF | 1 | 2 | DNQ | QF | DNP | DNP | R16 | QF |
| British Amateur | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | R256 | DNP | DNP | 1 | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| Tournament | 1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936 | 1937 | 1938 | 1939 | 1940 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters | NYF | NYF | NYF | NYF | 58 | DNP | WD | 40 | 33 | T29 | DNP |
| U.S. Open | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| U.S. Amateur | SF | DNP | DNQ | DNP | R64 | DNP | R128 | DNP | R32 | DNP | R16 |
| British Amateur | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | NT |
NYF = Tournament not yet founded
NT = No tournament
DNP = Did not play
DNQ = Did not qualify for match play portion
R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10
Source for The Masters: www.masters.com
Source for U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur: USGA Championship Database
Source for 1923 British Amateur: The American Golfer, July, 1923, pg. 10.
Source for 1926 British Amateur: The American Golfer, July, 1926, pg. 9.
U.S. national team appearances
Amateur
- Walker Cup: 1922 (winners), 1923 (winners), 1924 (winners), 1926 (winners), 1928 (winners), 1932 (winners), 1967 (winners, non-playing captain), 1973 (winners, non-playing captain)
References
- ^ a b Nunn, Sam (June 16, 1989). "Tribute to the Late Jesse W. Sweetser". Congressional Record (Senate) 1989-1990. Retrieved 2006-12-30.
- ^ "Tom Kerrigan, 68, Siwanoy Golf Pro". The New York Times. May 7, 1964. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
- ^ a b Michel, Robert H. (June 22, 1989). "Tribute to Jess W. Sweetser". Congressional Record 1989-1990 (Extension of Remarks). Retrieved 2006-12-30.