Donald Ross and Jack Nicklaus, legends in the golf course designing industry
Donald Ross and Jack Nicklaus are no doubt two of the best golf course designers in the world. Both have brought plenty of innovations and improvements in the golf course designing industry.
The biggest achievement in golf course designing Ross has ever recorded is that he gave a new touch to golfing traditions. Born in Scotland in 1872, Ross started his professional career as a full-time course designer.
Although he spent most of his time in America, he was a real Scott. Since Scotland was the heartland of golf right from the start (according to the documented history), Ross typically adopted Scottish golfing taste and transferred it to where he stayed most
of his life i.e. the United States.
He remained in golf designing business from 1900 to 1948. The number of courses designed by Ross is well over 400. He worked on a number of prominent courses like Pinehurst No.2, Inverness and several others that still reflect his skill as the most successful
designer. According to observers he seems to eclipse Jack Nicklaus who also is a best-known designer of his time.
What sets Ross apart is his typical routine. He loved to work in the summer--probably because of tough winters of England and Scotland.
His designing career took a steep climb when he became the patron of Pinehurst--an entity owned by Tufts family. Ross proved his skills there and gained the respect of the family. Given his hard work and relentless pursuit of quality designing techniques,
Ross was given a more responsible place when he took over golf at Pinehurst. Taking over golf at Pinehurst means he had to deal with key tasks such as course construction. Later, he expanded his role by getting into course designing. He was lucky enough to
have people like Frank Maples, who assisted him throughout his stay at the Pinehurst.
Like Ross, another player who made a name for himself in course designing, is the former world number one Jack Nicklaus. Jack Nicklaus, who won most major championships in the history of golf, is best known for his expertise in golf course designing. He
has built a number of state-of-the-art courses in different parts of the world, from the United States to Europe and places as far as New Zealand.
Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI 1970, John's Island - South Course, Vero Beach, FL 1970, Wabeek Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, MI 1972 are some of the eye-catching courses Nicklaus's profile boasts.
Nicklaus has been associated with course designing for more than 40 years now. In one of his interviews back in 1973, he expressed his interest in the field, saying he had been associated with course designing since his childhood.
"I've wanted to design golf courses ever since I was a kid. I suppose it comes from the way I've played the game. To find the proper way to play any hole, I've always begun by asking myself what the architect has tried to do with it," Nicklaus shared while
talking to Esquire magazine.
Recounting his considerably long experience in architectural designs, Nicklaus said, "I've been interested in architectural ideas and problems ever since I can remember. Any hole that didn't make sense to me I'd try to redesign. It was fun. It helped my
game."
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