Robert Sweeney

Robert Sweeney DFC

Robert Sweeny, the former British amateur golf champion, has been one of the brightest stars of the international scene. An American financier, he was one of the founder members of the famous Eagle squadron of American volunteers who flew with the RAF in the Battle of Britain. He emerged as a Squadron Leader with the DFC and younger brother of Charles Sweeny, founder of the famous RAF Eagle Squadrons.

Born in California and raised in England, he was educated at Oxford. Learning to play golf at his father’s summer residence at Le Touquet, he won the 1937 British Amateur golf championship, runner up in 1946 and semi finalist on two other occasions, he was beaten at the final hole by Arnold Palmer in the US Amateur golf championship in 1954.

Post war he served as RAF liaison officer to the Dutch forces under Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. Returning to the US post RAF he settled in Palm Beach, Florida and moved back to ‘Blighty’ in 1970, passing away in 1983.

Robert Sweeny – British Amateur Champion 1937

Citation for Robert Sweeny – for DFC- London Gazette – Tuesday the 31st August 1943

SILVER TASSIE” WON BY SWEENY RECORD ROUND AT GLENEAGLES

Robert Sweeny, British amateur golf champion, won the “Silver Tassie” thirty six holes competition at Gleneagles Hotel on Saturday with an aggregate 140 for the two rounds. Sweeny had rounds of on the Queen’s course—a new record—and 74 on the King’s. Deadly putting gave the champion jus low score, which beat his own record two years ago by one stroke. Sweeny’s figures read:

Out 4, 2, 4, 3, 3, 3, 5, 4, 5 = 33
In 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 4, 4, 3, 6 = 33

Total Other leading scores were (King’s course first):—J. Lindsay, jun. (Falkirk Tryst), A. E. M’Leod (Old Ranfurly), 72, 71—143; A. Roy (Formby), 72. 72—144; and J. A. Graham (Hoylake), 78. 67—145. Northern players’ scores;— D. Leith Buchanan, Nairn, 74. 78—152; J. Bookless, Inverness, 76, 77—153.

As Reported By: Aberdeen Press & Journal – Monday 12 July 1937