Robert Sweeny Jr.

Robert John Vincent Sweeny Jr. (July 25, 1911 – October 21, 1983) was an American amateur golfer, socialite, businessman and Second World War Royal Air Force bomber pilot. He competed in all four men's major golf championships, including many Masters and British Opens. In 1937, he won the British Amateur Championship. Early life and family Sweeny's paternal grandfather, Charles Sweeny, was an Irish immigrant who made his fortune in mining in the Coeur d'Alene region. "Bob" or "Bobby" was the youngest of four sons of Robert and Teresa Sweeny. Robert Sr. was a successful lawyer in Los Angeles, before moving to New York City in 1916 to pursue business opportunities and enlarge the family fortune. One uncle was Charles Sweeny (1882–1963), a soldier of fortune and officer in various armies. He and his older brother Charles Francis Sweeny (1909–1993) grew up in Manhattan luxury. The brothers attended Loyola School in New York City and Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut. The family regularly vacationed in Europe. Robert Sweeny Sr. either joined or in 1926 founded the Federated Trust and Finance Corporation of London, and by the late 1920s, had homes in Wimbledon and Le Touquet. Bobby followed his brother to Wadham College, Oxford, though it took him over two years to pass the entrance exam.