Being Thankful for Donald Ross

Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving here in the United States. As I am always extolling all of you to be thankful and grateful each time you get to play golf, I wanted to share someone I am thankful for when it comes to golf: my favorite golf course designer, Donald Ross.

This year, Thanksgiving Day was also the birthday of Donald Ross. I wanted to highlight some of the impact Ross has on American golf and golf in general. As golfers, we should all be thankful for Donald Ross.

The influence Ross still has on American golf and golf history is immense. His adopted hometown of Pinehurst, North Carolina will once again host the US Open in 2024. Pinehurst #2, the course Ross considered his masterpiece, is the only golf course to host all five of the USGA’s most prestigious events: US Open (1999, 2005, 2014), US Women’s Open (2014), US Amateur (1962, 2008, 2019), US Women’s Amateur (1989), and US Senior Open (1994).

The town of Pinehurst serves as a museum to Donald Ross. The town carries an old Southern charm, and it feels as if you could run into him as you stroll through the downtown area where a statue of Ross resides. From the grand old hotel, The Carolina, to the croquet lawns in front of the main golf clubhouse where players dress all in white, Pinehurst Resort carries an old-time charm modern day resorts do not possess.

Ross was born in Dornoch, Scotland on November 23, 1872. Ross took his first job in America in 1900 at Oakley Country Club in Watertown, Massachusetts. A year later, he was named the golf professional at Pinehurst Resort, and his golf course design career began.

Ross is credited with 400 designs or redesigns throughout his career. Pinehurst Resort is home to five Ross designed courses: #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5. The surrounding area boasts several other designs such as: Pine Needles, Mid-Pines and Southern Pines. Ross has 9 courses currently ranked in the top 100 in the US: Seminole (#10), Oakland Hills : South (#20), Oak Hill (#22), Pinehurst #2 (#29), Inverness (#58), Scioto (#60), Essex (#78), Plainfield (#82) and Aronimink (#95). Only Tom Fazio with 14 courses in the top 100 has more. Proof positive that Ross courses continue to hold up even with modern technology.

On the list in the top 100, I have been fortunate to play Pinehurst #2 and Aronimink. I have played numerous other Ross designs such as: Bedford Springs, Seaview Bay Course and CC of York PA, to name a few. Every Ross course I have played is different, but all have Ross design elements which make his courses so challenging yet fair.

His design philosophy was very simple: use what the land provides. He didn’t believe in moving a lot of earth to create holes. He preferred giving golfers areas to run up shots but also offered severe trouble over the back of the green for overly aggressive approaches. His “turtleback” greens reward well struck shots to the center of the green while repelling poorly struck shots off the edges. Each hole needed to present a different problem for golfers. He believed each stroke required full concentration and attention.

His design philosophy is on full display at Pinehurst. Located in the Sandhills of North Carolina, Ross designed his courses there using the natural lay of the land. #2 is the epitome of his design. There is no rough on the course. Natural sand and scrub border the fairways. Turtleback greens abound. Hit a ball over the back of many greens, and you will be lucky to get up and down. As difficult as the course is, it is also playable and fair. Everything is in front of you. There are no tricks. Play smart, and you will be rewarded.

Better yet, you can play it. It is a resort course. Stay and Play packages are available with Pinehurst Resort. Pricing is reasonable considering everything you get for your money. It is as worthy a golf destination as any in the world. Visit Pinehurst.com to learn more.

If you are interested in discovering if there is a Ross course near you, visit the Donald Ross Society at rosssociety.org where you can find a list of Ross courses.

Remember, no matter where you play, be thankful when you play. Be grateful for the friends you have who share your love of the game. Enjoy every moment of every round. Embrace the challenge each shot presents. Now, go golf!