THE ROBERT T JONES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
2016/2017
"Bobby Jones was not only the best player in the world, probably the best there had
ever been, but by all odds the most attractive sports hero of the day. Even by people
who knew no golf, he was idolised on both sides of the Atlantic for his God-given
combination of flashing good looks, wry humour and unflagging modesty. He became,
and remained until the day of his death, the First Gentleman of Golf."
Alistair Cooke
Bobby Jones was born in Atlanta in 1902. He learned to play golf as a very young boy
and his prodigious talent was soon apparent. His triumph, at the age of 28, in winning
the Open and the Amateur Championships in both Britain and the United States in a
single season - The Grand Slam - has never been equalled. Jones then retired from
competitive golf, qualifying as a lawyer and later drawing upon his earlier training as a
mechanical engineer in the design of the majestic golf course at Augusta, Georgia. At
the age of 46 he was diagnosed as suffering from a rare disease that caused chronic
pain and progressive paralysis. He bore his illness with great fortitude: "We play the
ball, you know, as it lies". St Andrews honoured this outstanding man by making him
a Freeman of the Burgh in 1958, the first since Benjamin Franklin nearly 200 years
before. The respect and affection were mutual. Towards the end of his acceptance
speech Jones said: "I could take out of my life everything except my experiences at St
Andrews and I would still have had a rich and full life".
IMPORTANT DATES
Application deadline, Friday 27 November 2015 by 5.00pm
Interviews will take place, Friday 12th February, 2016
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The Bobby Jones Scholarship
The Scholarship programme was established in 1976 by some of Bobby Jones's friends
and admirers on both sides of the Atlantic "to perpetuate his memory in the hearts and
minds of young people by creating a permanent memorial to his sense of values and
character".
The Scholarships are funded by three Trusts, in Atlanta, New York and St Andrews.
They enable four St Andrews students to study at Emory University in Atlanta each
year whilst four Emory students come to St Andrews.
Eligibility
Candidates must be matriculated, full-time students in the University of St Andrews,
normally aged between 17 and 23, and of British nationality. The Trust deed
specifies that they are to be selected with regard to character, academic record and
proposed course of studies.
During the selection process, the applicants are assessed using the following criteria:
 Academic record
 Verbal and written skills
 Record of leadership in the life of the St. Andrews community and/or
broader community
 Ability to be an able ambassador for the Robert T Jones Trust and the
University of St. Andrews
 Interpersonal and presentational skills
 Course of study and scholarly interests that can be pursued at Emory
A good academic record is essential because the Scholars will be representing St
Andrews at another university. Other qualities are also sought, however.
Bobby Jones was an all-rounder and the selectors will be keen to know how else you
have spent your time at University. Golfing ability is not a necessary criterion though
an active interest in the game is a consideration, for instance because the Scholars have
the privilege of attending the Masters Tournament. On such occasions - and the
Emory Trustees have been very hospitable to their guests - the Scholars have an
ambassadorial role, for which reasonable experience of public speaking is also
advantageous. The Trust deed does explicitly state that the awards have the aim of
"encouraging qualities of leadership in young men and young women". Because the
four Jones Scholars necessarily spend a good deal of time together, the selectors have
to keep in mind the composition of the group as a whole.
Students may apply in their final year as an undergraduate. Because the Scholarships
are fully funded (see below) students will attend Emory after graduating from St
Andrews.
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What the Scholarships provide
The Scholarships are sufficient to cover all basic costs for the year at Emory. In
particular, tuition and other fees are paid for, as are room and board in a university
residence. Mandatory health insurance is arranged by Emory University and Trust
provides all scholars with dental insurance. In addition each Scholar receives a
personal stipend to cover basic expenditure and book and sundries. Return air tickets
from the UK to Atlanta are provided.
The Scholars are also encouraged to travel in the United States. Each receives a
special travel stipend. The Scholars also have the use of a ‘people carrier’ and driver
orientation will be provided.
The precise breakdown of stipend and travel allowance will be provided to the
successful candidates.
Course Selection
Scholars are free to select any courses for which they are qualified. Eligibility and
availability are, of course, matters for the Emory authorities to decide. Anyone
thinking of enrolling in a graduate course should bear in mind that the Scholarships are
for one year and cannot be renewed.
Applicants are encouraged to look at the Emory Prospectus to familiarise themselves
with the programmes and courses available. For a list of undergraduate and graduate
courses available at Emory, please refer to their website, www.emory.edu.
Application Procedures
The completed application form submitted online by Friday 27 November 2015.
You will also be required to email your academic transcript once your application
has been submitted. This is available from the Academic Registry.
Two referees are required and they should normally be members of the academic staff
who know you well. There is provision for your referees to be sent an email soliciting
their reference in the online application – which you should initiate as soon as you
begin the application process. It is your responsibility to ensure that the referees
are given adequate notice.
Depending on the number of applications received, it may be necessary to eliminate
some candidates on the basis of written records alone (including referees).
The interviews will be held on Friday 12th February 2016 only.
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Present Jones Scholars
There are four scholars here at present from Emory. If you need to contact them, with
any queries/questions relating to Emory, let Fiona Eason, Room 2:4, 91 North Street
know and she will be happy to pass them on.
If you are successful
The Scholarship programme, with all its benefits, depends entirely upon the voluntary
efforts of the Trustees, here and in the United States. We rely upon the Scholars to
send us a short report of their year at Emory for transmission to the Trustees; and we
hope that past Scholars will wish to guarantee the same opportunities for their
successors by helping the work of the Trust.
Application Check List
 One completed online application form
 2 Academic References submitted online
 Academic Transcript emailed before
application submitted
Niall Scott
September 2015