Lot # 79: Tom Stewart RTJ Iron Set

Category: Vintage Golf Clubs

Starting Bid: $100.00

Bids: 34 (Bid History)

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Made by Tom Stewart, each of the 6 irons in this patched set is stamped "RTJ"—the initials of Bobby Jones.  These clubs are steeped in history.  By the end of 1930, Tom Stewart, the St. Andrews cleekmaker who made most of the irons Jones used during his career, made a few "extra's"—copies modeled after the "backup set" he had made for Jones.

It is believed by some that, while Stewart sold a few complete sets, he used the RTJ-stamped irons as a carrot to get his various distributor/retail accounts to order more clubs. If a paid up account placed a healthy order, the account would qualify to also order one or more RTJ irons.

When Jones found out that Stewart was making additional clubs marked with his initials, he asked Stewart to stop producing clubs marked with his initials.  Stewart complied but not before a few clubs bearing Jones's initials made it into the marketplace. 

This is set contains of a 2, 3, 4, 5 mashie, mashie niblick, niblick. All shafts appear to be original as do the grips. The grip on the mashie niblick is missing the top two inches. Tom Stewart inspection dots are found on the 2, 5 mashie and mashie niblick. Heads in various conditions.