About
Don Knott didn’t take up golf until graduate school—he became 'hooked' and would ride his motorcycle to the local Berkeley course, carrying his clubs on his back.
Donald Knott is among the most respected golf course architects in the world, known for his ability to blend stunning landscapes with challenging golf experiences. Born and raised in Northern California, Knott began his professional journey after earning degrees in landscape architecture and architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. Originally an All-American collegiate swimmer, he discovered golf during his graduate studies, developing a passion that would shape his career. For more than 25 years, Knott served as Lead Project Architect and Senior Vice President of Design at the renowned Robert Trent Jones II group, where he designed and oversaw the construction of over 60 golf courses globally. His most renowned projects include The Prince Course at Princeville in Hawaii, The Links at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach, and The National Golf Club of Australia. A past president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Knott is celebrated for creating courses that fit seamlessly into their natural surroundings and emphasize both playability and environmental harmony.
