John Herbert was only 16 when he played for Rutgers in America's first intercollegiate football game on November 6, 1869. An avid golfer, he became governor of the amateur United States Senior Golf Association from 1928-1931 and played in the Association's Tournament at the Apawamis Club in Rye, New York. By his late seventies and early eighties he still played at the Maidstone Golf Club in East Hampton, Long Island. While there, he met Clifford Roberts, a man who later remembered Herbert as a, “… remarkably strong man both physically and mentally." Herbert met Roberts again after he bought a winter home in Augusta, Georgia. This time Roberts, golfer Bobby Jones and designer Alister Mackensie were designing a new course for the Augusta National Golf Club. Herbert became an original founder and member of the Club and the course that opened in January of 1933.
The inaugural Augusta National Invitation Tournament was played from March 22-25, 1934. By the end of the decade it became known as “The Masters.” Herbert played the course right before the inaugural tournament.
Less than five months later, Herbert celebrated his 81st birthday back in New York with his usual round of 36 holes of golf (no electric carts then). A blister formed on his foot and an attendant suggested he get it looked at. Herbert scoffed at the idea. Within a month, Herbert was on the operating table at the Doctors Hospital in Manhattan with blood poisoning and was to have his leg amputated. He never made it off the table.
Today is the 87th Masters Tournament (no Masters during the WWII years). And while a member of the Augusta National Golf Club he was known as "Judge" Herbert even though the lawyer never was one.
Eat your heart out Jeremy Ito.
The inaugural Augusta National Invitation Tournament was played from March 22-25, 1934. By the end of the decade it became known as “The Masters.” Herbert played the course right before the inaugural tournament.
Less than five months later, Herbert celebrated his 81st birthday back in New York with his usual round of 36 holes of golf (no electric carts then). A blister formed on his foot and an attendant suggested he get it looked at. Herbert scoffed at the idea. Within a month, Herbert was on the operating table at the Doctors Hospital in Manhattan with blood poisoning and was to have his leg amputated. He never made it off the table.
Today is the 87th Masters Tournament (no Masters during the WWII years). And while a member of the Augusta National Golf Club he was known as "Judge" Herbert even though the lawyer never was one.
Eat your heart out Jeremy Ito.
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