Who's who: Robert Trent Jones Jr

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: Robert Trent Jones Jr

  • Name:

    Robert Trent Jones Jr
  • Also known as:

    Bobby
  • Country:

    USA
  • Born:

    July 24, 1939 in Montclair, nr Newark, New Jersey.
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Golf course architect and author.
  • Turned Pro:

    n/a
  • Website:

    https://www.rtj2.com

Roll of Honour

President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (1989-90).

Golf course design

Robert Trent Jones Jr and his sizeable design team at Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects, have been prolific in designing golf courses since 1972. Whether meticulously laid out by RTJ Jr himself, or by one of his lead designers, the 300 or so courses that bear his name stretch right around the globe. The best known work of "Bobby" Jones Jr and his firm RTJ II, includes, but is not limited to:

UNITED STATES:
Arizona Natl, AZ (1996) / Arrowhead, CO (1972, with father Robert Sr) / Beaver Creek, CO (1982) / Bel-Air CC, CA (1976, modifications) / Blessings, AR (2004) / Bodega Harbour, CA (1977) / The Bridges at Rancho Sante Fe, CA (1999) / Celebration, FL (1996, with father Robert Sr) / Chambers Bay, WA (2007) / Cochiti, NM (1981) / CordeValle, CA (1999) / Cragun's Legacy, MN (1998) / Deer Creek, KS (1989) / Desert Dunes, CA (1989) / Dove Valley Ranch, AZ (1998) / Edinburgh USA, MN (1987) / Highland Oaks, AL (RTJ Trail) / Jackson Hole, WY (1973, redesign) / Keystone Ranch, CO (1980) / Landsdowne, VA (1991, Jones course) / Las Sendas, AZ (1995) / Long Island Natl, NY (1999) / Makena, HI (1993) / Mauna Kea, HI (1975, modifications) / Max A. Mandel, TX (2012) / Monarch Beach, CA (1983) / The Orchards, MI (1993) / Osprey Meadows at Tamarack, ID (2006) / The Patriot, OK (2010) / Poipu Bay, HI (1994) / Poppy Hills, CA (1986) / Prairie Landing, IL (1994) / Prairie View, IN (1997) / Princeville, HI (1971, Makai course - his first solo design; 1987, Prince course) / Rainmakers, NM (2008) / Rancho San Marcos, CA (1998) / Red Hawk, NV (1997, Lakes course) / Rock Barn, NC (2002, Jones course) / Sandestin, FL (2000, Raven course) / SentryWorld, WI (1982) / Sequoyah Natl, NC (2009) / Silverado, CA (1966, South course design and North course modifications) / Southern Highlands, NV (1998, with father RTJ Sr) / Spanish Bay, CA (1987, with Tom Watson & Sandy Tatum) / Squaw Creek, CA (1993) / Sugarloaf, ME (1986) / Sun Valley, ID (1974, Elkhorn course, with father Robert Sr; 1980, Trail Creek course) / Sunday River, ME (2005) / Sunriver, OR (1981, Woodlands course) / Three Crowns, WY (20050 / ThunderHawk, IL (1999) / Tiffany Greens, MO (1999) / Turning Stone, NY (2003, Kaluhyat course) / University Ridge, WI (1991) / Waikoloa, HI (1980, Beach course) / Waikoloa Village, HI (1972) / Wailea, HI (1994 & 1995, Gold & Emerald courses) / Winchester, CA (2000, with father Robert Sr).

CANADA:
Chateau Whistler, BC (1993) / Glencoe, Alb (1984) / The Marshes, Ont. (2002, with father Robert Sr).

CARIBBEAN & LATIN AMERICA:
Bahia Beach, Puerto Rico (2008, redesign) / Cabo Real, Mex (1994) / Costa Palmas, Mex (2019) / Four Seasons Nevis, St Kitts & Nevis (1991) / Grand Lucayan, Bahamas (2000, Reef course) / Reserva Conchal, Costa Rica (1996) / Royal Westmoreland, Barbados (2005) / Tierra del Sol, Aruba (1995).

BRITAIN & IRELAND:
Celtic Manor, Wales (1999, Wentwood Hills course, mainly absorbed into Twenty-Ten course) / Hogs Head, Ire (2017) / The Wisley, Eng (1991).

EUROPE:
Alcanada, Spain (2003) / Antognolla, Italy (1997) / Bjaavann, Nor (2004) / Bonmont, Spain (1990) / Bossey, Fra (1985) / Bro Hof Slott, Sweden (2007 & 2010, Stadium & Castle courses) / Chat de la Chouette, Fra (2001) / Costa Navarino, Greece (2011, Bay course) / Grenoble Intl, Fra (1990) / Holstebro, Den (2004, modifications) / Holtsmark, Norway (2006) / Lage Vuursche, Nld (2000, with Kyle Phillips) / Lübker, Den (2008) / Moscow CC, Russia (1988, with father Robert Sr) / Miklagard, Nor (2001) / Onyria Palmares, Port (2011, redesign) / Penha Longa, Port (1992) / Royal Bagnaia, Italy (2011) / Royal Puerta de Hierro, Spain (1998, design of Abajo course and modifications to Arriba course) / Ruuhikoski, Fin (1992) / Saint Donat, Fra (1993) / The Scandinavian, Den (2010 & 2011, Old & New courses) / Seddiner See, Ger (1997, South course) / Skjoldenæsholm, Den (2007, Jones course) / Terre dei Consoli, Italy (2011) / Vidauban, Fra (1999, with father Robert Sr; originally called Prince de Provence).

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST:
Al Badia, UAE (2005, now permanently closed) / Wild Coast Sun, S Africa (1983).

ASIA:
Anyang Benest, S Kor (1997, redesign) / Damai Indah, Indonesia (1992, PIK course) / Desaru, Malayasia (1985, now Els Club Desaru Coast) / Discovery Bay, Hong Kong (1983) / Eastern Star, Thai (1993) / Enhance Anting, China (2005) / Green Valley, Thai (1988) / Golden Valley, Jpn (1987) / Harbour Plaza, China (1999) / Hoiana Shores, Vietnam (2019) / Karuizawa 72, Jpn (1972, all six courses) / Katsura, Jpn (1993) / Kunming Sunshine, China (2003) / Mines Resort, Malay (1994) / Navatanee, Thai (1973) / Penang GC, Malay (1985, formerly called Bukit Jambul CC) / Pine Lake, Jpn (1984) / Pondok Indah, Indonesia (1976) / President, Thai (1994, N/E & W/S courses) / Pulai Springs, Malay (1993, Pulai course) / Raffles CC, Singapore (1988, Lake & Palm courses, now closed) / Royal Springs, India (2001) / Santiburi CC Chiangrai, Thai (1993) / Skyhill Jeju CC, S Kor (2005) / Spring City, China (1998, Lake course) / Santa Elena, Phil (1992) / Sunrise G&CC, Taiw (1992) / Ta Shee, Taiw (1999) / Trans Strait, China (1997) / Yalong Bay, China (1997).

AUSTRALASIA:
Cape Schank, Vic (1986) / Coolum Resort, Qld (1988) / Gulf Harbour, NZ (1997) / Joondalup, WA (1985) / Meadow Springs, WA (1987) / National GC, Vic (1988, Old course) / The Pearl, Fiji (1978).

Did you know?

Robert Trent Jones Jr (also known as Bobby or RTJ Jr), and his younger brother Rees Jones, have carried on the legacy and enormous success of their father, Robert Trent Jones Sr. Both Bobby and Rees head their own respective design companies, and both have an outstanding portfolio of courses to their name. Bobby has arguably designed courses in more countries than any other designer in the history of the game.

At Yale University Bobby was a member of the Eastern Intercollegiate golf team, and after graduating he joined his father's firm, Robert Trent Jones Inc. He rose to become a vice-president of the company and assumed control of west coast operations in 1962. Like his brother Rees, he left his father’s firm after 10 years, and set out on his own, founding Robert Trent Jones II golf course architects. The firm is now based in Palo Alto, California.

Robert Trent Jones Jr has designed more than 270 golf courses in more than 40 countries on six continents. He has been described by some as the Frank Lloyd Wright of golf course architects, for his skill in designing courses that blend naturally with their surroundings. His courses have hosted countless international tournaments and many of them feature in the best course listings within the countries where they are located.

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Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

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Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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