Rees Jones

Rees Jones, born September 16, 1941, in Montclair, New Jersey, is a highly respected American golf course architect known as "The Open Doctor" for his extensive work redesigning and preparing courses for major championships. He is the son of the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. and younger brother of Robert Trent Jones Jr. Growing up, Rees traveled worldwide with his family to golf courses while working summers for his father’s firm. He attended Yale University and later studied landscape architecture at Harvard University before joining Robert Trent Jones Incorporated in 1965. In 1974, he founded his own design firm, Rees Jones, Inc.

Over his career, Rees has designed or renovated more than 270 golf courses, including preparing courses for seven U.S. Opens, nine PGA Championships, five Ryder Cups, two Walker Cups, and multiple Presidents Cups. Some of his notable original designs include Nantucket Golf Club, Atlantic Golf Club, and TPC Danzante Bay. He is especially revered for restoring and modernizing historic championship venues such as Baltusrol, Congressional, Hazeltine, and Torrey Pines to meet contemporary standards while respecting their heritage.

Rees Jones has received many accolades, including the Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and the Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects. He has significantly influenced modern golf course architecture through his strategic design philosophy that balances challenge with playability and his commitment to environmental stewardship. As of September 2025, he currently lives in Juno Beach, Florida, with offices in Montclair, New Jersey.