Eardley Jones was so emotional on Saturday night you might have thought he had just won the Athlete of the Year award.

The veteran golfer didn't even know he was among the list of award recipients as he watched the ceremony at the Hamilton Princess hotel. Following a lifetime of service to local golf, with scant recognition, Jones admitted he was deeply honoured to finally receive a Sports Citation for his contribution over the last 36 years.

It was, he said, confirmation that all of the hard work he put in, knocking down racial barriers in the 1960s, meant something.

"This was such a great surprise to me, honest,'' said Jones after receiving his surprise award.

"This is the first time in my life I've received an award for the things I have done. My daughter (Jeana) put my name forward. I had been away and didn't know anything about it.

"I felt so good for the people who received awards, people like `Forty' Rego and Clarence Smith, guys who have been around for years and never got the recognition.'' Back when Jones started in golf, black players weren't allowed to become members or play on many of Bermuda's golf courses. But in a few short years, Jones elevated himself to one of the Island's best players, winning three tournaments at Ocean View in a two-week period in 1965.

It was after a visit to a tournament in New Jersey that same year, when he placed second, that Jones became aware of his potential in golf. And he set about, with others, to change the restrictive practices in the sport so that he could become eligible to play in local tournaments.

"After I had seen that and performed well over there but to think I couldn't do it back home, that was when I decided we had to make a move.'' said Jones.

"I was the first black to get invitations to some tournaments, like the Four Ball Championships and Amateur Championships. I was fortunate enough to be the first black winner of the Amateur Championships in 1969.

"I was the only amateur champion who never represented Bermuda in the Eisenhower Cup. Once you win a championship you get to represent your country in the Eisenhower Cup.'' Jones was also a part of the inaugural Bermuda Open in 1967 and in 1971 finished second as an amateur. He became a pro in 1973 and in the 1978 tournament placed second again.

One of the early highlights of his career was winning the tournament in 1981.

But he will certainly be remembered for helping bring about positive changes in a sport which has become one of the most popular in Bermuda for all races.

"I have always kept my respect. I never accused anyone in my entire life of being prejudiced,'' Jones stressed.

"I had some some hard times with the Bermuda Golf Association at that time but I still never disrespected anyone. People in the golf association at that time respect me for that.'' Jones was also instrumental in helping form the Bermuda Professional Golfers Association.

"Rogers Outerbridge, bless his soul, was one of the key people,'' Jones recalled. "We were having meetings at his house when we first started. "We had no local professionals in any of the golf clubs at that time, so I got the guys together and said `we have to get qualified'. The foreign pros came in with us when they saw that we were making strides forward.

"After we got qualified they had to recognise us and give us the jobs. It took a while but as you see right now in all the golf clubs we have local pros. I feel great to know that I was partially responsible for that movement.'' Fittingly, the sport has grown in popularity such that the Bermuda Junior Golfers Association also received an award on Saturday -- an Appreciation Award -- for developing the game at youth level through tournaments and clinics.

"We need more space because there are a lot of kids out there who want to get involved but there is limited space,'' said Jones. "That's discouraging for the kids because if they are interested they shouldn't be turned down.

Hopefully room can be made for them.'' Eardley Jones: honoured at Saturday night's Government sports awards.

AWARDS AWD