Robert Trent Jones Jr:n terveiset

Ruuhikoski Golf Club and FISU Golf World Championship

"As the designer of your golf course, we are proud that it is the venue of this international championship for young collegiate golfers. We understand they play as a team representing their countries. I have attended this event once before in Scotland and it is very exciting for players and for members and friends of the host club. Congratulations!

In keeping with our longtime philosophy, the layout follows the land and comes into the contact with fast rushing Ruuhikoski River. I have many memories there including playing at midnight during the Summer Solstice and the trophy for that event was the colorful painting by Jan Kasprzycki. For those of you who have an interest, it is also the cover of my book of memories which can be accessed by typing in poetryandgrass.com.

In the meantime, have an exciting tournament for the many young men and women playing in the championship and good luck to all."

Golfingly yours,

Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

Robert Trent Jones, Jr. to receive ASGCA Donald Ross Award

ASGCA Past President Robert Trent Jones, Jr., founder of Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects based in Palo Alto, California, has been chosen as the 2024 recipient of the ASGCA Donald Ross Award. The award, given annually since 1976, is presented to a person who has made a significant contribution to the game of golf and the profession of golf course architecture. It will be presented to Jones at the American Society of Golf Course Architects Annual Meeting in San Francisco, on Nov. 11.

In 1972, he formed his own firm. Known as an early advocate of environmentally sensitive golf course design, Jones continues to respect and embrace nature. His mantra is to, “listen to the land.” Jones has designed more than 300 golf courses in more than 50 countries on six continents, including: Chambers Bay Golf Course, University Place, Washington (host to the 2015 U.S. Open); The Links at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach, California; and Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii.

“Robert Trent Jones, Jr., is a living history of ASGCA and the profession of golf course architecture,” said ASGCA President Mike Benkusky. “The courses he continues to design around the world will be played for generations to come, and his commitment to the environment and securing for golf course architects the copyright protection of their work will have a lasting positive impact on the golf industry. He has come a long way from his first ASGCA Annual Meeting, when his father brought him along to serve as bartender.”

Jones becomes the third member of his family to be named Ross Award recipient. His father, ASGCA founding member Robert Trent Jones, Sr., was honored with the inaugural award in 1976 and his brother, ASGCA Past President Rees Jones, received the 2013 award.

The following architects have received ASGCA Donald Ross Award;

2021 Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, ASGCA, golf course architects
2017 Alice Dye, ASGCA Fellow, golf course architect
2013 Rees Jones, ASGCA, golf course architect
2007 Dr. Michael Hurdzan, ASGCA, golf course architect
2001 Jack Nicklaus, ASGCA, professional golfer, golf course architect
1999 Arnold Palmer, professional golfer
1995 Pete Dye, ASGCA, golf course architect
1982 Geoffrey Cornish, ASGCA, golf course architect, historian
1976 Robert Trent Jones, ASGCA, ASGCA founding member