Amateur Golf Podcast: Robert Trent Jones Jr.
25 Mar 2025
by Sean Melia of AmateurGolf.com
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Robert Trent Jones Jr.
In this conversation, Robert Trent Jones Jr. discusses his work on Corica Park, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and playability in golf course design. He shares insights from his career, including his family's influence and the collaborative nature of golf architecture.
The conversation highlights the need for courses to engage players of all skill levels and the role of environmental considerations in modern golf course design.
RTJ Jr. discusses the cultural differences in golf between the East and West, emphasizing the community value of public golf courses. He shares insights on the challenges faced during the restoration of Chambers Bay, a former quarry-turned golf course, and reflects on the evolution of golf course design.
RTJ Jr. also imagines the possibility of building a golf course in Antarctica, highlighting the environmental concerns associated with the region.
On Corica Park's playability: The game has grown rapidly, especially due to the pandemic when families went out and played because that’s all they could do. And they got intrigued to play together. So it's a playable golf course for all sorts of skill levels and different kinds of fun times for each other, with each other."
On the golf architecture process: Golf architecture is a collaborative effort. You work with the shapers, the contractors, and of course the owner and his team. It’s a long process to get from creative thinking to implementing the course to finally playing it.
On what drew him to the game of golf: My dad said, when I dropped the fly ball in baseball, 'Bobby, you’re on your own in golf.' You don’t have to be embarrassed — you win or lose on your own. That kind of intrigued me, the individualism of it.