Rees Jones Inducted Into NJSWA Hall Of Fame

Courtesy of Bill Kennedy

Legendary golf course architect Rees Jones was inducted into the New Jersey Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame on Sunday, January 22, 2012 during its 76th awards dinner at The Pines Manor in Edison.

Jones has designed all over the world, but one of his courses is local — the Trenton District Golf Association and Women’s Trenton District Golf Association Cherry Valley Country Club in Montgomery Township. Known for his quick wit, as well as his excellent course designs, Jones calls Cherry Valley his “longest course.” He is not, however, referring to yardage. Cherry Valley was Jones’ longest “in time to design.”

Being inducted into the NJSWA Hall of Fame is one of many awards that Jones deservedly has received. He grew up in Montclair, where he learned his trade at the knee of a master, his late father, Robert Trent Jones. Rees still resides in Montclair where he has his office.

While his golf course designs frequently have ranked him among the top five architects in the world, Jones is best known as “The Open Doctor,” because he has redesigned seven courses which have been sites for the U.S. Open. In addition, he has redesigned seven courses for the PGA, four for the Ryder Cup, two for the Walker Cup and one for the Presidents Cup. In the process, he has made numerous golf friends around the world, but particularly in his home state of New Jersey.