LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim June 20, 2009, as Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the
lives of those esteemed individuals of world renown who distinguished
themselves within society; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim June 20, 2009, as Robert
Trent Jones, Sr. Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Born in England and raised in Rochester, New York, Robert
Trent Jones was a golf course architect who designed and re-designed
about 350 golf courses in 40 U.S. states and 25 other countries all
around the world; and
WHEREAS, A young Robert Trent Jones took a job becoming the first golf
professional at Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club located in the beautiful
Sodus Point, New York area; he became an avid and skilled golfer as a
youth, but health problems prevented him from joining tournament compe-
tition; and
WHEREAS, Robert Trent Jones attended Cornell University, where he
designed his own course of study to become a professional golf course
designer, taking courses in landscape architecture, agronomy, horticul-
ture, hydraulics, surveying, public speaking, and economics; while at
Cornell, he was a member and President of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraterni-
ty; he was honored by the University in their Athletic Hall of Fame and
the golf course, which he designed for them, was named in his honor in
1993; as he wished, Cornell University will archive his personal and
professional papers for the benefit of scholars and students; and
WHEREAS, Upon completing his work at Cornell, he formed a partnership
with Canadian architect Stanley Thompson, who mentored him and helped
design several courses in Canada, including Capilano in Vancouver and
Banff in the Canadian Rockies; and
WHEREAS, In the late 1930s, Robert Trent Jones struck out on his own
and began designing and building local golf courses in America; many of
these, such as the 1936 course at Green Lakes State Park, were built
using labor provided by the Works Progress Administration; and
WHEREAS, During World War II, he designed the first 14 holes at West
Point, later completed to 18 holes in 1958. Shortly after World War II,
Robert Trent Jones got his first big assignment designing the Peachtree
Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, in collaboration with legend Robert Tyre
"Bobby" Jones, Jr.; despite the similarity of their names, the two men
were not related; in fact, Robert began using the middle name "Trent"
shortly afterward to avoid confusion; and
WHEREAS, Robert Trent Jones' courses are noted for their artistic
landscaping, innovative use of bunkers, liberal use of water hazards,
and deft placement of greens and hazards that encourage a high level of
strategy; he believed that golf should be a no-risk, no-reward sport and
his designs encouraged daring play; and
WHEREAS, Robert Trent Jones' golf courses, designed or remodeled, have
been the venues of at least 79 national championships, including 20 US
Opens, 17 PGA Championships, and many courses in foreign countries have
served as locations for the World Cup of Golf; and
WHEREAS, Robert Trent Jones was married to the former Ione Tefft
Davis; he had continued working well past usual retirement age, often
working on several courses at the same time; following a period of fail-

ing health, he retired to his home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and died
there on June 14, 2000, at the age of 93; and
WHEREAS, Robert Trent Jones' sons, Rees Jones and Robert Trent "Bobby"
Jones, Jr., have followed in his footsteps and are now course designers;
Robert Trent Jones sometimes collaborated with his sons, including his
last design, Southern Highlands in Las Vegas, Nevada; and
WHEREAS, Robert Trent Jones received the 1987 Old Tom Morris Award
from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the organ-
ization's highest honor; in addition, in 1987, he was the first golf
course architect to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, Robert Trent Jones, Sr.'s distinguished record merits the
recognition and respectful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim June 20, 2009, as
Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York, to Cornell University and to the family of Robert Trent Jones, Sr.