Robert Trent
Jones Sr., who designed many of the world's greatest golf
courses, died Wednesday at his home in Fort Lauderdale. He was
93.
Jones designed some 310 golf courses in 45 U.S. states as
well as courses on every continent but Australia and
Antarctica. He is responsible for 20 of the 100 greatest
courses in America, according to rankings in "Golf Digest."
Jones would have turned 94 on Tuesday, two days after the
100th U.S. Open is to be decided.
Jones earned the nickname "The Open Doctor" because of his
work on several national championship courses, beginning in
1951 at Oakland Hills in Birmingham, Michigan. He also retooled
Oakmont, Baltusrol, Olympic, Southern Hills and Congressional
-- all U.S. Open venues -- from 1953-63.
The most extensive undertaking of his career came just
seven years ago, when he designed and built 18 public courses,
including 11 championship layouts, throughout Alabama. The area
is known as the "Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail."
He is survived by his two sons, both of whom are course
architects, and four grandchildren.
