ROBERT TRENT JONES: THE MASTER OF GOLF ARCHITECTURE

Golf is not just about making holes in an open field. There is a whole science behind it and you not only need to be an expert in architecture but also need to have a good understanding of the game itself, have knowledge about engineering, agronomy, horticulture and landscape design. Even more: “Being proficient in one phase of this work does not necessarily imply that one has the knack to create outstanding golf courses”, according to Trent Jones in his book Golf Course Architecture.

When you talk about golf architecture, it’s impossible not to bring out Robert Trent Jones‘ name. One of the biggest references, Jones was born in England but went to live in the United States at a very young age. It was in New York’s area that he took a job becoming the first golf professional at Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club. Little by little, he built his path while attending Cornell University to become a professional golf course designer.

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Jones’ courses are noted for their artistic landscaping, innovative use of bunkers, liberal use of water hazards, and deft placement of greens and hazards that encourage a high level of strategy. He believed that golf should be a no risk; no reward sport and his designs encouraged daring play.

Golf course at Green Lakes State Park

During his almost 70 year career, he was able to built and rebuilt over 400 courses in 45 states in America and 35 countries. More than 30 of them hosted national and international championships.

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Club

Photo: Bill McKnight

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, located in Gainesville, Virginia, was intended to be the architect’s definitive statement on championship golf. Designed by Robert Trent Jones and his long-time associate Roger Rulewich, the RTJ G.C. has hosted the Presidents Cup matches on four occasions and was a PGA Tour stop in 2015.

Routed on rolling terrain densely covered with pine and hardwoods, the design reflects the philosophy Trent pioneered — heroic architecture — with well over a hundred glistening white sand bunkers and the last 11 holes playing along the shoreline of Lake Manassas, including the par-3 ninth with a peninsula green, the par-3 11th over a lake cove and the par-4 18th over an inlet and up a lakeside bluff.

Spyglass Hill Golf Course

One of the famous golf courses Robert Trent Jones designed was Spyglass Hill Golf Course, in California. The fourth green ultimately steals your attention: It’s a slithering 55 yards long, and barely 30 feet wide at its most forgiving. The designer calls No. 4 at Spyglass Hill his favorite par 4 he’s ever designed.