Jess Sweetser

Jesse William Sweetser (April 18, 1902 – May 27, 1989) was an amateur golfer, best known as the first American-born player to win the British Amateur.

Jess Sweetser
A sketch of Sweetser by syndicated cartoonist Robert W. Edgren in 1922.
Personal information
Full nameJesse William Sweetser
Born(1902-04-18)April 18, 1902
St. Louis, Missouri
DiedMay 27, 1989(1989-05-27) (aged 87)
Bethesda, Maryland
Nationality United States
SpouseNan Lewis Sweetser; Virginia Lee Sweetser
ChildrenNan, Jess Jr., Charles
Career
CollegeYale University
StatusAmateur
Best results in major championships
(wins: 2)
Masters TournamentT29: 1939
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenT14: 1920
The Open ChampionshipDNP
U.S. AmateurWon: 1922
British AmateurWon: 1926
Achievements and awards
Bob Jones Award1986

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 Marston.

In 1926, Sweetser won the British Amateur at Muirfield, defeating Fred 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. He was also selected for the 1930 team but withdrew for business reasons. 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

Amateur major championships

Wins (2)
YearChampionshipWinning ScoreRunner-up
1922U.S. Amateur3 & 2 Chick Evans
1926British Amateur6 & 5 Fred Simpson

Results timeline
Tournament 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
U.S. Open T14 WD
U.S. Amateur DNQ R16 QF 1 2 DNQ QF R16 QF
British Amateur R256 1
Tournament 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940
Masters Tournament NYF NYF NYF NYF 58 WD 40 33 T29
U.S. Open
U.S. Amateur SF DNQ R64 R128 R32 R16
British Amateur NT

Sweeter played in the Masters each year from 1952 to 1955 but withdrew on each occasion.

  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

NYF = Tournament not yet founded
NT = No tournament
DNQ = Did not qualify for match play portion
R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play

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
  1. Nunn, Sam (June 16, 1989). "Tribute to the Late Jesse W. Sweetser". Congressional Record (Senate) 1989-1990. Retrieved 2006-12-30.
  2. "Tom Kerrigan, 68, Siwanoy Golf Pro". The New York Times. May 7, 1964. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  3. Michel, Robert H. (June 22, 1989). "Tribute to Jess W. Sweetser". Congressional Record 1989-1990 (Extension of Remarks). Retrieved 2006-12-30.
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