History of Mrs. Jean Jones / Bun Wyatt Memorial

 

Mrs. Jean Jones

Mrs. Mary Koiner Jones, wife of Jean S. Jones died May 11, 1939 at the age of 42 years, 5 months and 18 days. She was born in Augusta County. Mrs. Mary Kioner Jones is buried in Richmond’s Hollywood Cemetery next to her parents.  Mrs. Jean Jones was educated at the Women’s College, which later became Westhampton College, University of Richmond.

 

Mrs. Mary Kioner Jones, wife of Jean S. Jones, was a well-known as a golfer in this section of the country. She was the former City, State and Mid Atlantic Women’s Golf Champion. She won the State Amateur Championship in 1926 & 1929 and was the City Amateur Champion in 1936. She was a member of the Country Club of Virginia and Club Champion 10 years. She was an active member of the Richmond Women’s movement to establish the Richmond Women’s Golf Association in 1933.

 

In 1940 after her death the Richmond Women’s Golf Association held the 1st Jean Jones Memorial Tournament to honor her memory. The tournament was held at The Country Club of Virginia, the winner decided in low net format. The winner of the 1st Tournament was Mrs. Clara Priddy.

 

In 1951 Mrs. R.C. Welton won the event using a putter given to her by the late Mrs. Jean Jones “It was Mrs. Jones who taught Mrs. Welton the game of golf and became her close friend, so yesterday’s victory over the large field was more than just a triumph. It’s one of the happiest days of my life” Mrs. Welton said yesterday after she had won the Mrs. Jean Jones Memorial Tournament at the Country Club of Virginia. “I guess I wanted to win this tourney about as much as I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. That’s why I am so grateful for winning” Mrs. Welton said “I felt yesterday that Mary (Mrs. Jones), if she could have seen me, would have been very happy.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On October 1, 2008 Bernice (Bun) Wyatt, a long-time Richmond Women’s Golf Association member and Country Club of Virginia member, passed away.

In 2009 Bun Wyatt was added to the Mrs. Jean Jones Memorial tournament to honor her memory.

Richmond Times Dispatch, Oct 2, 2008