One of my favourite things to do when visiting a city is to flaneuring old cemeteries. Some may think this is morbid, but for me they are like a walk in a park, a garden or even an art park. They are great places to reflect.

While I have visited a few famous grave sites over the years (Emily Carr’s in Victoria’s Ross Bay Cemetery immediately comes to mind) perhaps the most interesting grave I have visited is that of Robert (Bobby) Tyre Jones Jr. one of the world’s most famous golfers, founder of one of the world’s most famous golf tournaments (The Masters) and creator of one of the world’s most beloved golf courses Augusta National.

Link: Fascinating Facts About Bobby Jones

Founded by Bobby Jones, Augusta National Golf Course where The Masters is played is not only one of the best golf courses in the world, but one of the most beautiful places.

Jones’ Grave Site

I was fortunate enough to experience the Masters Tournament and see the Augusta National golf course thanks to a friend who was lucky to get tickets in the annual lottery to attend a Master’s practice round and invited me to join him. I used the opportunity to explore the city of Atlanta.

One of the highlights of my Atlanta visit was to visit Bobby’s grave site in Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery.

While many visitors leave golf balls to honour the legendary golfer, I left a Redwood Meadows Golf & Country Club repair tool.

I often wonder how long the repair tool stayed there and how many visitors to the grave site wondered “Where is Redwood Meadows?”

FYI: Redwood Meadows is my home course just outside of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and for non-golfers a ball repair tool is what you use to repair ball marks and divots left when a ball lands hard on the green leaving a mark.

Bobby Jones died on December 18, 1971, and is buried at Oakland Cemetery next to his wife, Mary Malone Jones. Also buried on the family lot are John and Mary Malone (Mary’s parents); Edwards Malone (Mary’s uncle); John Malone and Matthew Malone (Mary’s brothers); and Clara Jones Black (Bobby and Mary Jones’ eldest daughter.)

The grave can be found in the "Child Square," section near Lot 518 along the southern brick wall that borders Memorial Drive. And “No” Memorial Drive isn’t named such because of its proximity to Bobby Jones’ grave.

Oakland Cemetery History

The Oakland Cemetery founded in 1850 and was originally called the Atlanta Graveyard or City Burial Place. In 1867 it reached its present size of 88 acres and in 1976 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is an excellent example of Victorian-style cemetery design that reflects the “cemetery as garden” movement. There is even a Visitor Centre and Museum store where you can pick up a self-guided tour map and unique souvenirs.

Some of the other famous people buried at the Oakland Cemetery include 27 former mayors including Maynard Jackson (Atlanta’s first African American mayor), six former Georgia governors, four Confederate Generals and musician Kenny Rogers.

Fun Fact” In Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel, Gone With The Wind, Oakland Cemetery is mentioned as the final resting place of Scarlett O’Hara’s first husband Charles Hamilton. It is also Mitchell’s final resting place.

Everyday Tourist Tip

During COVID one of my favourite places to walk was in Calgary were cemeteries as you could easily practice safe distancing. I recommend you plan a walk alone or with friend in one of your city’s historic cemetery this spring or summer, learn what famous people are buried there and reflect on your history.

Below are a few blogs about my cemetery experiences in Calgary and beyond, as well as my impression of the Augusta National Golf Course and The Masters Golf Tournament.

Augusta National is bootylicious

Berlin Cemetery: Etching & Café

Calgary’s Cemetery District

Banff Cemetery