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'''Robert John Vincent Sweeny Jr.''' (July 25, 1911 – October 21, 1983) was an American amateur golfer, [[socialite]], businessman and Second World War [[Royal Air Force]] bomber pilot. He competed in all four [[men's major golf championships]], including many [[Masters Tournament]]s and [[The Open Championship|British Opens]].<ref name=Golf/> In 1937, he won the [[The Amateur Championship|British Amateur Championship]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87950730/sweeny-british-amateur-win/ |title=British Amateur Golf Titlist Is American Living Abroad |newspaper=[[Nashville Banner]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref>
'''Robert John Vincent Sweeny Jr.''' (July 25, 1911 – October 21, 1983) was an American amateur golfer, [[socialite]], businessman and Second World War [[Royal Air Force]] bomber pilot. He competed in all four [[men's major golf championships]] (which initially included the [[The Amateur Championship|British Amateur]] and [[U.S. Amateur]] Championships, later replaced by the [[Masters Tournament|Masters]] and [[PGA Championship]]s), including many Masters and [[The Open Championship|British Opens]].<ref name=Golf/> In 1937, he won the British Amateur Championship.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87950730/sweeny-british-amateur-win/ |title=British Amateur Golf Titlist Is American Living Abroad |newspaper=[[Nashville Banner]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref>


==Early life and family==
==Early life and family==
Sweeny's paternal grandfather, Charles Sweeny, was an Irish immigrant who made his fortune in mining in the [[Coeur d'Alene, Idaho|Coeur d'Alene]] region.<ref name=Golf>{{cite web |url=https://www.globalgolfpost.com/featured/the-forgotten-glory-of-bobby-sweeny/ |title=The Forgotten Glory of Bobby Sweeny |last=Hand |first=Patrick |date=December 28, 2020}}</ref><ref name=SR>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87751284/sweeny-hutton-rumors/ |title=Babs Finds Love? |date=December 10, 1939 |newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |via = [[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=EP>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87649979/bob-sweeny-and-barbara-hutton/ |title=The Sweenys Can Do the Telling! |last=St. George |first=Mary |date=December 10, 1939 |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press|Evansville Press]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref> "Bob" or "Bobby" was the youngest of four sons of Robert and Teresa Sweeny. Robert Sr. was a successful lawyer in Los Angeles, before moving to New York City in 1916 to pursue business opportunities and enlarge the family fortune.<ref name=Golf/><ref name=GolfBible>{{cite web |url=https://golfbible.co.uk/tag/charles-sweeny/ |title=Robert Sweeny Jr |website=golfbible.co.uk}}</ref> One uncle was [[Charles Sweeny]] (1882–1963), a soldier of fortune and officer in various armies.
Sweeny's paternal grandfather, Charles Sweeny, was an Irish immigrant who made his fortune in mining in the [[Coeur d'Alene, Idaho|Coeur d'Alene]] region.<ref name=Golf>{{cite web |url=https://www.globalgolfpost.com/featured/the-forgotten-glory-of-bobby-sweeny/ |title=The Forgotten Glory of Bobby Sweeny |last=Hand |first=Patrick |date=December 28, 2020}}</ref><ref name=SR>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87751284/sweeny-hutton-rumors/ |title=Babs Finds Love? |date=December 10, 1939 |newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |via = [[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name=EP>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87649979/bob-sweeny-and-barbara-hutton/ |title=The Sweenys Can Do the Telling! |last=St. George |first=Mary |date=December 10, 1939 |newspaper=[[Evansville Courier & Press|Evansville Press]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref> "Bob" or "Bobby" was the youngest of four sons of Robert and Teresa Sweeny. Robert Sr. was a successful lawyer in Los Angeles, before moving to New York City in 1916 to pursue business opportunities and enlarge the family fortune.<ref name=Golf/><ref name=GolfBible>{{cite web |url=https://golfbible.co.uk/tag/charles-sweeny/ |title=Robert Sweeny Jr |website=golfbible.co.uk}}</ref> One uncle was [[Charles Sweeny]] (1882–1963), a soldier of fortune and officer in various armies.


He and his older brother [[Charles Francis Sweeny]] (1909–1993) grew up in Manhattan luxury.<ref name=Golf/> The brothers attended [[Loyola School (New York City)|Loyola School]] in New York City and [[Canterbury School (Connecticut)|Canterbury School]] in [[New Milford, Connecticut]].<ref name=GolfBible/> The family regularly vacationed in Europe. Robert Sweeny Sr. either joined<ref name=Golf/> or in 1926 founded<ref name=Standard>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87594911/charles-sweeny-article/ |title=Ritzy life of Charlie, the Yank who stayed on |date=September 20, 1988 |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |page=27 |via = [[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> the Federated Trust and Finance Corporation of London, and by the late 1920s, had homes in [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]]<ref name=Golf/> and [[Le Touquet]].<ref name=Standard/>
He and his older brother [[Charles Francis Sweeny]] (1909 or 1910–1993) grew up in Manhattan luxury.<ref name=Golf/> The brothers attended [[Loyola School (New York City)|Loyola School]] in New York City and [[Canterbury School (Connecticut)|Canterbury School]] in [[New Milford, Connecticut]].<ref name=GolfBible/> The family regularly vacationed in Europe. Robert Sweeny Sr. either joined<ref name=Golf/> or in 1926 founded<ref name=Standard>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87594911/charles-sweeny-article/ |title=Ritzy life of Charlie, the Yank who stayed on |date=September 20, 1988 |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |page=27 |via = [[Newspapers.com]]}} {{Open access}}</ref> the Federated Trust and Finance Corporation of London, and by the late 1920s, had homes in [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]]<ref name=Golf/> and [[Le Touquet]].<ref name=Standard/>


Bobby followed his brother to [[Wadham College, Oxford]], though it took him over two years to pass the entrance exam.<ref name=Golf/><ref name=GolfBible/> Both brothers competed in the 1927 [[Boys Amateur Championship]]; Bobby lost in the fourth round.<ref name=Golf/>
Bobby followed his brother to [[Wadham College, Oxford]], though it took him over two years to pass the entrance exam.<ref name=Golf/><ref name=GolfBible/>


== Amateur golf career ==
== Amateur golf career ==
Both brothers competed in the 1927 [[Boys Amateur Championship]]; Bobby lost in the fourth round.<ref name=Golf/>

When he graduated, he joined Philip Hill and Partners, a London investment banking firm, but showed more interest in his golf.<ref name=GolfBible/>
When he graduated, he joined Philip Hill and Partners, a London investment banking firm, but showed more interest in his golf.<ref name=GolfBible/>


Line 89: Line 91:


== Second World War ==
== Second World War ==
Sweeny tried to join the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) as a fighter pilot, but was turned away due to his being considered too old at 28 or 29 years of age. He was eventually made adjutant of [[No. 71 Squadron RAF]], but managed to become a bomber pilot, flying the [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]] with [[No. 224 Squadron RAF]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/241047 |title=Robert John Vincent Sweeny Jr |publisher=American Air Museum in Britain}}</ref> He participated in the sinking of two [[U-boat]]s in the [[Bay of Biscay]] within the space of a few days.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87951126/sweeny-vs-u-boats/ |title=Former British Golf Champ Helps Sink 2 Nazi U-boats |date=September 8, 1943 |newspaper=[[The Dispatch / The Rock Island Argus|The Dispatch]] |agency=Associated Press |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref> In the second clash, Sweeny's Liberator was hit, but he managed to return to base on three engines. For this second action, he was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] in September 1943.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36157/supplement/3925 |title=Second Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday, the 31st of August, 1943 |date=September 3, 1943 |newspaper=[[The London Gazette]] |page=3925}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87953596/sweeny-u-boat-killer/ |title=Robert Sweeny is U-boat Killer |date=September 8, 1943 |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref>
Sweeny tried to join the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) as a fighter pilot, but was turned away as he was considered too old at 28 or 29. He was eventually made adjutant of [[No. 71 Squadron RAF]], but managed to become a bomber pilot, flying the [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]] with [[No. 224 Squadron RAF]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americanairmuseum.com/person/241047 |title=Robert John Vincent Sweeny Jr |publisher=American Air Museum in Britain}}</ref> He participated in the sinking of two [[U-boat]]s in the [[Bay of Biscay]] within the space of a few days.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87951126/sweeny-vs-u-boats/ |title=Former British Golf Champ Helps Sink 2 Nazi U-boats |date=September 8, 1943 |newspaper=[[The Dispatch / The Rock Island Argus|The Dispatch]] |agency=Associated Press |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref> In the second clash, Sweeny's Liberator was hit, but he managed to return to base on three engines. For this second action, he was awarded the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] in September 1943.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36157/supplement/3925 |title=Second Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday, the 31st of August, 1943 |date=September 3, 1943 |newspaper=[[The London Gazette]] |page=3925}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87953596/sweeny-u-boat-killer/ |title=Robert Sweeny is U-boat Killer |date=September 8, 1943 |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref>


Flight Lieutenant Sweeny was given a medical discharge on September 27, 1945, retaining the rank of squadron leader.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37298/supplement/4943 |title=Supplement to The London Gazette, 9 October, 1945 |newspaper=The London Gazette |page=4945}}</ref>
Flight Lieutenant Sweeny was given a medical discharge on September 27, 1945, retaining the rank of squadron leader.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37298/supplement/4943 |title=Supplement to The London Gazette, 9 October, 1945 |newspaper=The London Gazette |page=4945}}</ref>


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
[[Barbara Hutton]], one of the wealthiest women in the world, was in the process of divorcing her second husband in 1938 and 1939. Newspapers speculated whether Sweeny was to become her third.<ref name=SR/><ref name=EP/> They had a serious relationship, but Hutton ended up marrying movie star [[Cary Grant]] in 1942.
[[Barbara Hutton]], one of the wealthiest women in the world, was in the process of divorcing her second husband in 1938 and 1939. Newspapers speculated whether Sweeny would become her third.<ref name=SR/><ref name=EP/> They had a serious relationship, but Hutton ended up marrying movie star [[Cary Grant]] in 1942.


In 1948, Sweeny met 18-year-old New York [[debutante]] Joanne Marie Connelley. Despite their significant age difference, they married the following year.<ref name=ScrantonTimes>{{cite newspaper |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87941953/robert-sweeny-marriage-and-divorce/ |title=On Bridal Day |date=July 3, 1957 |newspaper=[[The Scranton Times-Tribune|The Scranton Times]] |page=2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref> They had two daughters, Sharon (born 1950) and Brenda (born 1952). However, he divorced her in 1953<ref name=ScrantonTimes/> when she was allegedly caught in a compromising situation with playboy [[Porfirio Rubirosa]].
In 1948, Sweeny met 18-year-old New York [[debutante]] Joanne Marie Connelley. Despite their significant age difference, they married the following year.<ref name=ScrantonTimes>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87941953/robert-sweeny-marriage-and-divorce/ |title=On Bridal Day |date=July 3, 1957 |newspaper=[[The Scranton Times-Tribune|The Scranton Times]] |page=2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}} {{open access}}</ref> They had two daughters, Sharon (born 1950) and Brenda (born 1952). However, he divorced her in 1953<ref name=ScrantonTimes/> when she was allegedly caught in a compromising situation with playboy [[Porfirio Rubirosa]].


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Amateur golfers]]
[[Category:Amateur golfers]]
[[Category:American male golfers]]
[[Category:American male golfers]]
[[Category:American Royal Air Force pilots of World War II]]
[[Category:American World War II bomber pilots]]
[[Category:American World War II bomber pilots]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Royal Air Force pilots of World War II]]
[[Category:Golfers from Pasadena, California]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Pasadena, California]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 02:57, 6 December 2024

Robert Sweeny Jr.
Personal information
Full nameRobert John Vincent Sweeny Jr.
NicknameBob or Bobby
Born(1911-07-25)July 25, 1911
Pasadena, California, US
DiedOctober 21, 1983(1983-10-21) (aged 72)
Sporting nationality United States
Career
StatusAmateur
Best results in major championships
(wins: 1)
Masters TournamentT34: 1953
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenDNP
The Open Championship33rd: 1939
U.S. Amateur2nd: 1954
British AmateurWon: 1937

Robert John Vincent Sweeny Jr. (July 25, 1911 – October 21, 1983) was an American amateur golfer, socialite, businessman and Second World War Royal Air Force bomber pilot. He competed in all four men's major golf championships (which initially included the British Amateur and U.S. Amateur Championships, later replaced by the Masters and PGA Championships), including many Masters and British Opens.[1] In 1937, he won the British Amateur Championship.[2]

Early life and family

[edit]

Sweeny's paternal grandfather, Charles Sweeny, was an Irish immigrant who made his fortune in mining in the Coeur d'Alene region.[1][3][4] "Bob" or "Bobby" was the youngest of four sons of Robert and Teresa Sweeny. Robert Sr. was a successful lawyer in Los Angeles, before moving to New York City in 1916 to pursue business opportunities and enlarge the family fortune.[1][5] One uncle was Charles Sweeny (1882–1963), a soldier of fortune and officer in various armies.

He and his older brother Charles Francis Sweeny (1909 or 1910–1993) grew up in Manhattan luxury.[1] The brothers attended Loyola School in New York City and Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut.[5] The family regularly vacationed in Europe. Robert Sweeny Sr. either joined[1] or in 1926 founded[6] the Federated Trust and Finance Corporation of London, and by the late 1920s, had homes in Wimbledon[1] and Le Touquet.[6]

Bobby followed his brother to Wadham College, Oxford, though it took him over two years to pass the entrance exam.[1][5]

Amateur golf career

[edit]

Both brothers competed in the 1927 Boys Amateur Championship; Bobby lost in the fourth round.[1]

When he graduated, he joined Philip Hill and Partners, a London investment banking firm, but showed more interest in his golf.[5]

He made his debut in the Amateur Championship in 1929, shortly before his 18th birthday. In his fourth attempt, he reached the semi-finals in 1935. He lost in the semi-finals of both the 1933 and 1934 Open de France. In 1937, he won the British Amateur Championship and the Golf Illustrated Gold Vase, the latter by seven strokes.[5]

He received one of four foreign invitations to the 3rd Masters Tournament in 1936. He would go on to play in numerous Masters:[5]

Cut instituted in 1957

He also played in many Opens:[5]

In 1946, he shared the inaugural Berkshire Trophy with John Beck and lost to Jimmy Bruen in the final of the British Amateur Championship.[5]

In 1954, Arnold Palmer beat him, 1 up, in the U.S. Amateur final. Palmer considered this his first major victory and the "turning point" of his career.[7]

Second World War

[edit]

Sweeny tried to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a fighter pilot, but was turned away as he was considered too old at 28 or 29. He was eventually made adjutant of No. 71 Squadron RAF, but managed to become a bomber pilot, flying the Consolidated B-24 Liberator with No. 224 Squadron RAF.[8] He participated in the sinking of two U-boats in the Bay of Biscay within the space of a few days.[9] In the second clash, Sweeny's Liberator was hit, but he managed to return to base on three engines. For this second action, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in September 1943.[10][11]

Flight Lieutenant Sweeny was given a medical discharge on September 27, 1945, retaining the rank of squadron leader.[12]

Personal life

[edit]

Barbara Hutton, one of the wealthiest women in the world, was in the process of divorcing her second husband in 1938 and 1939. Newspapers speculated whether Sweeny would become her third.[3][4] They had a serious relationship, but Hutton ended up marrying movie star Cary Grant in 1942.

In 1948, Sweeny met 18-year-old New York debutante Joanne Marie Connelley. Despite their significant age difference, they married the following year.[13] They had two daughters, Sharon (born 1950) and Brenda (born 1952). However, he divorced her in 1953[13] when she was allegedly caught in a compromising situation with playboy Porfirio Rubirosa.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Hand, Patrick (December 28, 2020). "The Forgotten Glory of Bobby Sweeny".
  2. ^ "British Amateur Golf Titlist Is American Living Abroad". Nashville Banner. Associated Press – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  3. ^ a b "Babs Finds Love?". The Spokesman-Review. December 10, 1939 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ a b St. George, Mary (December 10, 1939). "The Sweenys Can Do the Telling!". Evansville Press – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Robert Sweeny Jr". golfbible.co.uk.
  6. ^ a b "Ritzy life of Charlie, the Yank who stayed on". Evening Standard. September 20, 1988. p. 27 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ Shedloski, Dave (August 27, 2021). "At U.S. Senior Amateur, CC of Detroit will celebrate Arnold Palmer's first national title". Golf Digest.
  8. ^ "Robert John Vincent Sweeny Jr". American Air Museum in Britain.
  9. ^ "Former British Golf Champ Helps Sink 2 Nazi U-boats". The Dispatch. Associated Press. September 8, 1943 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  10. ^ "Second Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday, the 31st of August, 1943". The London Gazette. September 3, 1943. p. 3925.
  11. ^ "Robert Sweeny is U-boat Killer". Evening Standard. September 8, 1943 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  12. ^ "Supplement to The London Gazette, 9 October, 1945". The London Gazette. p. 4945.
  13. ^ a b "On Bridal Day". The Scranton Times. July 3, 1957. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
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