Golf icon turns 90

Peter Alliss was among those paying tribute to John Jacobs OBE at a surprise 90^th birthday celebration at Brokenhurst Manor Golf Club in Hampshire.

And while surprise parties aren’t the norm for most 90 year olds, Jacobs (sitting down above) is no ordinary man with a reputation as arguably the most influential golf coach of all time.

His extraordinary achievements don’t just lie with coaching however but reflect someone who carved out a great understanding of every aspect of the game.

Jacobs’ career encompassed being a club professional and a successful tournament player, playing in the Ryder Cup in 1955 where he won both his matches. He was also a businessman who set up a string of golf schools in the UK and USA and brought the concept of driving ranges to Britain.

Later he became Ryder Cup Captain in 1979 and 1981 and was instrumental in setting up the European Tour where he was its first chief executive.

But beyond all this, his real love was as a coach. Whether that was through his many books or videos or face to face, Jacobs helped many, many golfers and coaches understand the modern principles of golf and of golf coaching.

Whether it was the top players in the world or the enthusiastic amateur, he was able to see immediately their problem and with a few simple words explain to them gently how to make things better.

Those simple words of advice belied the expertise and understanding that made him, in the eyes of his fellow coaches, the best in the world.

At his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000, Butch Harmon said of him 'John Jacobs wrote the book on coaching. There is not a teacher out here who does not owe him something'.

Even now he is sought after by those who want to know a little more. Recent visitors to his cottage include Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley and coach to the number one player in the world Michael Bannon.

Although not as spritely as he would wish, having to use a walking stick means that he has a readymade teaching aide that he will turn upside down and use to demonstrate his point.

At the party were friends from all walks of life. As well as his children John and Jo, there were friends from the world of golf and also his fishing companions and the friends he has made from his village.

Following on from speeches which included Alliss and the person who succeeded Jacobs at the European Tour, Ken Schofield, there was a presentation of a portrait of him painted by former chairman of the PGA, Dr Philip Weaver OBE.

“John often talks about how lucky he has been to be able to spend his life in golf, but the reality is that golf has been very, very lucky to have had John Jacobs,” said Dr Kyle Phillpots, joint chief operating officer of The PGA.