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 (which initially included the British Amateur and U.S. Amateur Championships, later replaced by the Masters and PGA Championships), including many Masters and British Opens.

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 or 1910–1993) grew up in Manhattan luxury. the Federated Trust and Finance Corporation of London, and by the late 1920s, had homes in Wimbledon

Second World War Sweeny tried to join the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a fighter pilot, but was turned away as he was considered too old at 28 or 29. He was eventually made adjutant of No. 71 Squadron RAF, but managed to become a bomber pilot, flying the Consolidated B-24 Liberator with No. 224 Squadron RAF. He participated in the sinking of two U-boats in the Bay of Biscay within the space of a few days. In the second clash, Sweeny's Liberator was hit, but he managed to return to base on three engines. For this second action, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in September 1943.

Flight Lieutenant Sweeny was given a medical discharge on September 27, 1945, retaining the rank of squadron leader.

Personal life Barbara Hutton, one of the wealthiest women in the world, was in the process of divorcing her second husband in 1938 and 1939. Newspapers speculated whether Sweeny would become her third. They had two daughters, Sharon (born 1950) and Brenda (born 1952). However, he divorced her in 1953 when she was allegedly caught in a compromising situation with playboy Porfirio Rubirosa.

He is buried in Brookwood Cemetery (Plot 119) next to his brother Charles.