Change, Continuity and Golf’s Battle of the Century

1
Change, Continuity and Golfs Battle of the
Century

• Bobby Jones vs. Walter Hagen
• March, 1926

2
I. Historical Background

• Golf emerges as a popular pastime
• Significance of the Battle of the Century
• An illustration of trends in popular culture
  during the 1920s

3
II. Historical Significance

• Unofficial worlds championship of golf
• Amateurism vs. Professionalism
• Birth of the Professional Golfers Association
  (PGA1916)
• Significance of the match to each of the players

4
III. The Course of the Match

• Pre-match ballyhoo
• Jones as the hero
• Initial strategy
• Day of the match arrives
• The first hole of play
• Hagens surprising first round strategy

5
III. The Course of the Match (cont.)

• The 6th hole of the first afternoon as a turning
  point
• Hagen wins the first day
• Jones appears beaten halfway through the match

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III. Course of the Match (cont.)

• The second day of the match begins
• Jones gives Hagen a match to the very end
• Hagen defeats Jones 12 and 11
• Jones sportsmanship in defeat

7
IV. The Meaning of the Match

• For Jones supporters
• For Hagens supporters
• Jones on the rise as the Emperor of Golf
• --Lenglen vs. Wills, also in February, 1926
• Microcosm of the two mens competitive careers
• Hagen as the games foremost psychologist

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IV. The Meaning of the Match (cont.)

• Jones performance in the match
• Jones as the worlds leading medalist
• The relative anonymity of Walter Hagen
• Hagen as a stereotype of the 1920s

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IV. The Meaning of the Match (cont.)

• Hagens love for the big gesture
• Hagens unorthodox swing
• Hagens unconventional life off of the course
• First touring professional golfer

10
IV. The Meaning of the Match (cont.)

• Hagen first golfer to earn a million dollars
• His business ventures alarmed golfs purists
• The decision to travel as an unattached
  professional
• Hagen broke down barriers for other pros

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IV. The Meaning of the Match (cont.)

• Hagens other interesting qualities
• Hagen as a curious blend of character
• Jones as a representative of continuity and
  tradition
• Jones classic swing

12
IV. The Meaning of the Match (cont.)

• Jones early career
• Jones socio-economic background
• Jones had a very different lifestyle than Hagen
• Jones popularity among spectators

13
IV. The Meaning of the Match (cont.)

• Jones profits from his amateur status
• Ambivalent about amateurism
• Jones as a Victorian gentleman
• Considerate and kind to opponents

14
IV. The Meaning of the Match (cont.)

• Jones complex private life
• Jones modernity vs. his traditionalism
• Culture Wars of the 1920s
• The lives of Hagen and Jones reflected these
  Culture Wars