Biography
Donald Ross is admired in the realm of American golf course architecture for his contributions to the sport's landscapes. Ross, who was born in Scotland and played at Royal Dornoch and apprenticed under "Old Tom" Morris in St. Andrews, moved to the United States in 1899. He designed 413 golf courses throughout North America, including 397 in the U.S., 14 in Canada, and two in Cuba. While some of these courses have been lost to development or unrefined redesigns, those that remain continue to inspire course designers today.
Ross's golf courses were originally built by hand with shovels and ploughs. As a result, his designs are compact with short walks between tees and greens and are intended for walking. Pinehurst No. 2 is perhaps his most famous creation, where he transitioned the oiled-sand greens to Bermuda grass, significantly impacting golf in warmer climates. Notably, his designs include small, domed greens that are characteristically challenging. These greens tend to reject poorly played aerial shots but accommodate run-ups. However, any errors often lead to shots that roll off into penalizing collection areas.
Ross’s designs have been partially obscured over time by factors including erosion and the requirements of modern golfing equipment. However, there have been efforts to restore and maintain the original features of his classic golf courses. For example, the Donald Ross Course at French Lick Resort in Indiana underwent a $5 million renovation in 2005 to restore all greens and bunkering to Ross’s original specifications. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw restored Pinehurst No. 2 using 1940s aerial photographs, modernizing the course while preserving Ross's original design.
Beyond his renowned Pinehurst course, Ross's enduring legacy can be experienced firsthand at over 400 golf courses across North America. Golf Channel Morning Drive's Matt Ginella and Brad Becken, Director of the Donald Ross Society, have discussed the preservation of Ross designed courses and strategies for playing at these sites. Ross's impact on the world of golf, and the preservation of his designs, continue to be a topic of interest and respect within the sport.