'Long Jim' Barnes Exhibit at World Golf Hall of Fame


The World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., has acquired several artifacts from one of the early 20th century golf legends, "Long Jim" Barnes. The display shares his story with golf fans visiting the museum.

The exhibit showcases various artifacts representing Barnes' illustrious career, including his 1919 PGA Championship diamond medal, likely becoming the earliest PGA Championship medal to be on public display, his 1921 U.S. Open medal and 1914 Western Open medal and ribbon. The display was made possible through the generosity of Dr. Joseph Manda III, Barnes' grandson, who donated the artifacts.

"Providing the World Golf Hall of Fame with a number of my grandfather's most significant golfing items has been a very gratifying experience," said Dr. Manda. "Herbert Warren Wind wrote that grandfather was among the 'American Triumvirate' that dominated golf after World War I, so to know that his legacy as a golfer - not to mention as a great family man - is being preserved and presented to new generations of golf fans is beyond compare."

"Long Jim" - the tallest of golf champions in the first half of the century at 6 feet, 4 inches - claimed titles from the four most significant championships of his day, including the first PGA Championship ever played in 1916, the 1919 PGA Championship, the 1921 U.S. Open, the 1925 Open Championship and the Western Open in 1914, 1917 and 1919.

Also on display are several of Barnes' patented hickory-shafted clubs from the 1910s and his Golf Supremacy Trophy, also known as the "Soundview Silver Cup." The trophy was presented in 1921 to Barnes, the U.S. Open champion, for defeating Jock Hutchison, the Open Championship title-holder, in what was dubbed "the championship for Golf Supremacy."

Guests also can see several of the trademark white, long-sleeved shirts Barnes wore, as well as medals, contestant badges and honors, and special photographs such as President Warren Harding presenting Barnes with the U.S. Open trophy. Barnes is still the only U.S. Open winner to receive the honor from a sitting president.

"We are grateful to Dr. Manda and the relationship we've fostered with him over the years, and especially, his most generous loan of some of his grandfather's very personal and professional items," said Jack Peter, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the World Golf Hall of Fame. "The Hall of Fame takes pride in being able to offer such unseen pieces of golf's past to its visitors who have a great appreciation for the items and the individuals they represent."

The World Golf Hall of Fame is also currently featuring the special exhibition "Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory," and a brand-new audio tour with over 175 stops throughout the museum. The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

Admission to the museum includes a round on the 18-hole, natural-grass putting course and a film in the adjacent IMAX Theater. For additional details, visit www.worldgolfhalloffame.org.