Golf course design would not be complete without the golf course architects. So who better to start with than one of the most prolific, most world renowned architects of all time, Donald Ross.Ross was born November 23rd, 1872 in Dornoch, Scotland. Son of Murdoch Ross and Lillian Campbell Ross, Donald lived a modest early life and was devout in his Cristian beliefs. He picked up the game of golf early in his lifetime and often played at Dornoch Golf Club. Apprenticing as a craftsman he also made many items for the course and its members, including golf clubs. It was after many years in the Scotland it was in 1899 when Donald Ross finally moved to America.
Almost imediately upon arrival Ross began his work at Oakley Country Club in Watertown, MA. This would eventually be the site of Ross' very first design which opened in the year 1900. The course upon his arrival was in great disrepair and was only an 11 hole layout. Ross took this 11 hole layout and turned it into an 18 hole track that would be stretched across the enitire property at Oakley Country Club. This would be the beginning of a era in American golf course design that would be nearly dominated not only by Ross' design theory but Ross himself.
In the years to follow Ross would accumulate 362 course designs in 30 different states Canada, Cuba, and of course Scotland. The earliest of these becing Oakley Country club in 1900 and the latest being Fort Mill and Ridgefields Country Clubs in 1947. These numbers are staggering in any era but as I had stated in earlier posts this was the "Golden Age" of golf course design and Ross was the driving force behind it all.
Not only has he designed and built the most courses but he has also designed some of the greatest including his pride and joy, Pinehurst #2 in Pinehurst, NC. Host of many U.S. Golf Championships, Pinehurst #2 is considered by many to be Ross' most renowned and difficult designs. Other golf course's on Ross' resume include Seminole Country Club, Scioto Country Club, and Oakland Hills Country Club just to name a very few.
Seeing as most of Ross' courses were built during or near the 1920s there have been many changes made to the courses since then. Some of the courses were 9 hole designs with 9 hole add ons. Others were redone or renovated completely either by Ross or another designer. The most significant change to many Ross courses is, however, the incredible overgrowth of trees. Not only are they more numerous but much bigger as well. Many of the holes that Ross designed in the 1920s look nothing like they do today.
As you can see Donald Ross has made a huge impact on the world of golf course design and leaves with us a legacy that has inspired many course designers today. So, that being said anyone who plays this great game owes Mr. Ross a great debt of gratitude for his both courses and his theory. He will live forever.
This post is based on the book "Discovering Donald Ross" by Bradley S. Klein.
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