On the 2 August, 1882, the English professional golfer, George Jonathan Sargent [1882-1962) was was born in Brockham, Surrey. When he was young boy the family moved to Epsom  where he began his golf career at age 12 at Epsom Downs GC.

In 1899 Sargent spent some time at Ganton GC under Harry Vardon, and first made an impact in the 1901 Open Championship at Muirfield.

Soon afterwards he became the professional at Dewsbury GC, later emigrating to Canada, where he served as professional at Royal Ottawa GC and finished second in the 1908 Canadian Open. He married his wife Beatrice in 1907 and fathered eleven children.

Sargent won the 1909 US Open at Englewood GC in New Jersey. Setting a new 72 hole record at the time for the tournament of 75-72-72-71 – 290, to defeat Tom McNamara [USA] by 4 strokes.

He played in sixteen US Opens in total, and finished in the top 10 six times. He also won the 1912 Canadian Open and the 1918 Minnesota State Open.

Sargent became a member of the American PGA at its inception in 1916, and served as its President for five years. He is credited with introducing the use of motion pictures to study the golf swing. He was head professional at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio, from 1912 to 1924, at Interlachen Country Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from 1924 to 1928, at the Chevy Chase Club from 1928 to 1932, and at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, from 1932 until his retirement fifteen years later.

 He is a member of the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, as are two of his sons Harold and Jack.

He died in Atlanta, Georgia in 1962, aged 79.

2 August, 2019