53 REES JONES to accommodate every golfer’s ability. The reason I admire MacKenzie and Tillinghast is that their courses were beautiful, and beauty is very appealing to golfers. They built sculptured bunkers, then after World War Two, things were more utilitarian. Later Pete Dye built pot bunkers, so everyone started doing that. Then Nicklaus started building highly ranked golf courses with an abundance of mounds which were copied by others. Today sand-flanked fairways are in vogue. Fashions always change. “What makes golf course design so rewarding isn’t just the great clients and people we meet – it’s the variety and constant challenge that keeps it exciting. Whether we’re creating new courses, adding forward tees, renovating bunkers, designing short-game areas, or even building a backyard putting green, every project is unique. Some clients are preparing for professional tournaments, others want to make their course more welcoming. We’re fortunate to have loyal clients who continue to turn to our company for it all.” Rees’s adventure is far from over. “My career has been a labour of love. My ambition has always been to build popular facilities and to grow the game of golf. I’ve been fortunate in recent years to have a lot of projects in Florida, where I am designing and redesigning courses that accommodate every ability and age group. At Wellman Golf Club in Johnsonville, South Carolina, I was able to build a golf course inexpensively so that all golfers could afford to play there. I have two exciting public projects in Hollywood, Florida, and Greensboro, North Carolina, where we will build public golf courses that are affordable. I want the entry-level golfer to have a place to play and have a sports activity that they enjoy for a lifetime. I believe I’ve accomplished this at Torrey Pines, Bethpage Black, Bryan Park, Corica Park, Bayou Oaks and many other public golf courses. That’s an important part of my legacy.” Jones and design associate Greg Muirhead (second left) with workers at Yunling GC in China and, inset, with design associate Steve Weisser (second left) and the team at El Caballero CC in California. Muirhead, Weisser and Swanson have a combined total of 100 years working with Jones Photos: Rees Jones Inc
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=