Story Starters

New from RTJII

Hail To The New Chief
In April, RTJ II president and chief design officer Bruce Charlton became the new president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.  This tremendous honor recognizes Bruce’s diligent efforts both behind-the-scenes and sometimes in the spotlight on some of the world’s most remarkable golf courses built in the modern era — many of which have received the industry’s most prestigious awards.

Innovation Meets Conservation
The Golf Club at Rainmakers, just north of Ruidoso, New Mexico, is named for a 12th-century shaman who was responsible for managing the precious commodity of water.  RTJ II devised a plan to conserve this scarce resource with several innovative methods:

• An on-course weather station connected to low distribution sprinkler heads, to ensure the grass is never watered unnecessarily
• Fairways and greens lined with a polymer substance that traps and cools water so that the course can use 30 percent less water
• Turf grasses and a grassing plan implemented to minimize water usage

Insight To Native Americans
As a teenager growing up in Montreal, Jim Simonini, Associate Director of Business Development for RTJ II, played so much golf with his Mohawk Indian friends that he and his two older brothers were the first outsiders invited to join what historically was a private, Mohawk-only golf club on the nearby reserve.

As fate would have it, Simonini’s knowledge and respect of the Mohawk culture has been instrumental in his work on behalf of RTJ II and much of the firm’s success in creating world-class golf courses on reservation land has been due to his personal sensibilities.

Tees, Greens & RVs
After a visit to a magnificent site on Navajo land in Montana, RTJ II has become the first major golf course design firm in the industry to accept a project targeted for golfers who prefer travel in Airstreams rather than Gulfstreams.

Called, “Of Course RV Resort,” the private nine-hole course is to be built on 190 acres north of the historic mountain town of Red Lodge, an hour from Billings, Montana, with 500 spaces for motorhomes throughout the design.

“We’re not snobs about golf,” said CEO John Strawn. “We think golf should be ‘a game of the people,’ as it has been in Scotland for the past 400 years.”

Collegiate Connections
Colleges hold RTJ II courses in high regard, to the point that Northwestern University in Chicago is the “home team” for a 2008 tournament at the new Chambers Bay Golf Course, near Seattle – two time zones away from campus.

Current RTJ II collegiate projects include state-of-the-art practice facilities at Stanford University (opened in April) and the University of Wisconsin, while the recently redesigned Rancho San Marcos Golf Course has been a site for UC Santa Barbara’s long-running Pacific Coast Invitational.

And Of Course, The Open Course
Bolstering the reputation and value of every golf course designed by RTJ II, the USGA recently awarded Chambers Bay both the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open Championship. Chambers Bay is the first course built since 1964 to be deemed worthy of hosting our national championship – the Robert Trent Jones Sr. design at Atlanta Athletic Club, built in ‘64, hosted the Open in 1976.

On the horizon
Making news in 2008…and beyond.

• The most significant makeover of golf courses overlooking Monterey Bay continues with the debut of new and renewed designs at Bayonet and Black Horse.
• Phil Mickelson’s golf design company breaks ground on its first project -- River Rock, in North Carolina’s scenic Blue Ridge Mountains.
• John Fought’s first course design in the state of Utah (where he attended college at BYU) Sand Hollow Golf Resort – opens as the headliner of new additions to a growing golf destination.
• The most innovative practice facility in college golf – or, possibly anywhere -- is to be unveiled at Stanford University in April by Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course Architects.
• The grand opening of the Arnold Palmer Center For Golf History on June 3 highlights the debut of the $16 million expansion of the USGA Museum.

In the Lap of Luxury
When arriving with ease and in style is important ...

• Reynolds Plantation, one of the leading golf resorts in the country in Greensboro, Ga., is only 13 miles from Greene County Regional Airport, which features a new runway overlay that accommodates large business jets (Hawker, Astra, Citation, Lear, Falcon, Canadair), with rental cars on site. 

• Look no further than Tarrytown House Estate, located in New York’s fashionable Westchester County. Tucked away amid tall, richly wooded bluffs with breathtaking views of the Hudson River, this historic property, with its castle-like Biddle Mansion (once the private home of Mary Duke Biddle of the Duke Tobacco family of North Carolina), exquisitely appointed grounds and gardens, embodies 19th-Century elegance, providing an enchanting and sweeping setting for a storybook bridal event. It’s even possible to rent out the entire property for a private estate wedding. 

• How about the exclusive “TOUR Experience” packages at Reynolds Plantation? To be offered only 16 times in 2008, the TOUR Experience is a $9,000/person package and includes the a custom-made 14 club set uniquely created for each person, plus a three-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge and a two-day ultimate golf experience with appearances by TaylorMade PGA Tour Player at a private dinner, breakfast and photo opportunity session.

Distinguished Service … 
Occasionally in the often transient hospitality and golf industries, individuals reach a unique level longevity.

• Del Snyder, a prodigy of Sam Snead, is in his 32nd year as a golf professional and ambassador at the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, where he has tutored countless politicians and dignitaries.
• Jim Reed may be the only club pro in the golf industry trying to lose money. And he could not be happier about it” Reed has become a teacher, counselor, friend and often-called “grandpa” and has implemented a personalized youth golf program at Spring Creek Golf Course in conjunction with the Milton S. Hershey School. His goal is to weave golf into the fabric of the youths’ lives – and never charge a cent for it.
• Jim Burnett, the executive chef at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club for 21 years, has thrived in a private setting where there’s no room for having an “off night.”

• …Not many places offer tee times for the same day as their lift tickets. Both are packaged together in Wintergreen Resort’s “Tee & Ski Package.”
• ... The Course at Wente Vineyards, in a Northern California wine region, celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2008.
• …The award-winning Reynolds Plantation, Georgia’s landmark golf resort and community, turns 20 this year.
• …As historic Bedford Springs Resort modernized its seven natural springs during a $120 million renovation, an eighth spring was discovered, nearly 200 years later.
• …For a great winter value, Bear Creek Resort’s (Macungie, Pa.) Premiere Midweek Ski & Stay package includes lodging, lift tickets, spa services and an allowance for meals – all starting at $265 per couple.
• …This fall, Hershey Country Club is to begin renovation of its historic West Course, site of the 1940 PGA Championship and a long-time stop on the LPGA Tour.