Donald Ross

Donald Ross, born on November 23, 1872, in Dornoch, Scotland, is widely regarded as one of the most influential golf course architects in history. He began his career apprenticing under the legendary Old Tom Morris at St. Andrews, where he honed a diverse skill set including greenkeeping, club making, playing, and course design. In 1899, Ross emigrated to the United States with little more than a handful of dollars and a promise of work as a golf professional and greenkeeper at Oakley Country Club near Boston.

Ross’s breakthrough came when he was appointed golf professional at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina in 1900. There, he designed four courses, including the iconic Pinehurst No. 2, renowned for its challenging turtleback greens—an architectural hallmark. His design philosophy emphasized naturalness and minimal earth movement, creating courses that blended seamlessly with their surroundings while demanding strategic shot-making.

Over his prolific career spanning nearly five decades, Ross designed or redesigned more than 400 courses across the U.S., including famous venues such as Seminole Golf Club (Florida), Inverness Club (Ohio), and Oakland Hills Country Club (Michigan). He revolutionized greenskeeping practices in the South during the 1930s and was a founding member and the first president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects in 1947.

Ross passed away in 1948, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to shape American golf. His work is celebrated for its timeless design, strategic depth, and harmony with the natural landscape.