Rees Jones facts for kids

Rees Jones (born September 16, 1941) is a famous American golf course architect. He designs and builds golf courses all over the world.

Life and Career of Rees Jones

Rees grew up in Montclair, New Jersey. His dad, Robert Trent Jones, was also a legendary golf course designer. His older brother, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., followed in their father's footsteps too. So, designing golf courses runs in the family!

Rees started learning about golf course design when he was a boy. He would go with his dad to look at courses. After studying at Yale University and Harvard University, he joined his family's company. He helped his father on many projects.

In 1974, Rees started his own company, Rees Jones, Inc. Since then, he has designed, updated, or fixed over 260 golf courses. He continues to design courses today. He lives in Florida and has offices in New Jersey.

The Open Doctor

Rees Jones has a special nickname: "The Open Doctor." He earned this name because he often updates golf courses to get them ready for major championships. These are big tournaments like the U.S. Open. He makes sure the courses are fair but still challenging for the best golfers.

Awards and Recognition

Rees Jones has received many important awards for his work. In 2004, he got the Old Tom Morris Award. This is the highest honor from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. He also won the Donald Ross Award in 2013. These awards show how much his work is respected in the golf world.

He has also been recognized for his care for the environment. Rees is a strong supporter of making golf courses that are friendly to nature. He believes golf courses can be beautiful and good for the environment at the same time.

Designing Golf Courses

Rees Jones started his company, Rees Jones, Inc., in his hometown of Montclair, New Jersey. Other talented golf course architects have joined his team over the years. They work together to create amazing golf courses.

Notable Golf Courses Designed

Rees Jones has designed or updated many famous golf courses. Some of these include:

• Montauk Downs State Park in New York (designed with his father).
• Pinehurst #7 in North Carolina.
• The Country Club in Massachusetts (a restoration project).
• East Lake Golf Club in Georgia (a reconstruction project).
• Torrey Pines Golf Course in California (a reconstruction project).
• Bethpage State Park, Black Course, in New York (design changes).

He has worked on courses all across the United States and even in other countries. His goal is always to create courses that are fun to play and beautiful to look at.

Images for kids

• 

  View of No. 18 Fairway at East Lake Golf Club.