Bobby Jones on Friends and Friendship

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The home course of Bobby Jones is still a keystone to much of Atlanta’s golf community. The history and voluminous stories behind the course and its resurrection are fascinating. Numerous books have been written about East Lake’s story but there is one book that has flown under the radar and is pretty hard to find. Actually, I think there is only one available here. Where Bobby Learned to Play is a collection of memories from his friends. It takes each hole and matches a story to it — stories rarely heard. Today’s post is about how the game helps solidify friendship. I think it is underestimated in mainstream culture how many great relationships and friendships can be created through the game. The following excerpt originated in Golf is My Game but I found it in Where Bobby Learned to Play so will credit accordingly.

Bobby Jones on “Friendship:”

Then it occurred to me to speak of my interpretation of the words ‘friend’ and ‘friendship’ which are amongst the most import in our language, and yet so often loosely used. Friends are a man’s priceless treasures, and a life rich in friendship is full indeed. When I say, with due regard for the meaning of the word, that I am your friend, I have pledged to you the ultimate loyalty and devotion. In some respects friendship may even transcend love, for in true friendship there is no place for jealousy. When, without more, I say that you are my friends it is possible that I may be imposing upon you a great burden than you are willing to assume. But when you have made me aware on many occasions that you have a kindly feeling toward me, and when you have honored me by means at your command, and when I call you a friend, I am at once affirming my high regard and affection for you and declaring my complete faith in you and trust in the sincerity of you expressions. And so, my fellow citizens of St. Andrews, it is with this appreciation of the full sense of the word that I salute you as my friends.

- Bobby Jones when he accepted the honor of Freedom of the City of St. Andrews in 1958. The last American to be given the honor before him was Benjamin Franklin.