ASGCA Fellow and Past President Robert Trent “Bobby” Jones Jr., has been named one of this year’s recipients of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, to be awarded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations on May 12, 2012.
The Ellis Island Medals—which pay homage to the immigrant experience—are awarded annually to distinguished living Americans who, among other traits, dedicate their lives to the American way of hard work, self-improvement, and community service; preserve and celebrate the history, traditions, and value of their ancestral groups; and share their personal and professional gifts with the country and the world.
“As a child of New Jersey, Ellis Island was always a part of our family history. My Grandfather, Father and Uncle came through there in 1912. By traveling to the U.S., my grandparents opened the door of opportunity for my father and he in turn opened it for me. This award is born of their labor and I am honored to represent them. The American dream lives on,” Jones remarked.
Jones Jr. is the son of the late Robert Trent Jones Sr., one of the most influential golf architects of all time. The elder Jones was born to Welsh parents in Ince, England— near the Trent River—and moved to the United States in 1912. Jones Jr. was born in the U.S. in 1939.
As one of the world’s busiest and most prolific golf architects, Jones Jr. has designed more than 270 courses in over 40 countries—including his father’s native England—and more than 30 states. His courses have hosted tournaments on every major golf tour and are recognized as among the world’s finest by leading golf publications and with countless awards.
Jones Jr.’s architectural vision is to honor the cultural, geographical, and historical aspects of the land while revealing the best possible course on each site. His team of architects and support staff has built for all manner of client, from municipalities to private individuals, and is expert at creating sustainable courses that make use of the latest innovations and best practices to protect and enhance the environment.
Besides acting as an international ambassador for golf, Jones Jr. has given back to his community, serving on the California Park and Recreation Commission (including as Elected Chairman) and as Board Member and Emeritus Director of Refugees International. He also designed a golf-training complex for Stanford University, where he attended law school for a year after attending Yale, where he majored in American Studies and History.
Jones is also a published author, with his book, Golf By Design: How to Lower Your Score by Reading the Features of a Course, a leading volume on golf architecture for the amateur golfer. He has also written numerous articles and is a published poet. His company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and also maintains an office in Manila to serve Asian clients.
A full list of Jones Jr.’s courses and awards can be found at www.rtj2.com.