ABOUT REES JONES

Golf And Other Things With Rees Jones

Full Name: Rees Lee Jones

Education: Yale University, B.A. 1963; Harvard School of Design, 1963-64.

Residence: Juno Beach, FL

Hobbies: golf, reading, travel, theatre, swimming

Golf Handicap: 9.6

Career round: 71

• Growing up I thought I would be in the golf business. I was probably "programmed" by being around my father [Robert Trent Jones Sr.].
• The best idea I ever had was to go out on my own at the age of 33.
• My favorite expression is "life's a do-it-yourself game."
• I am most proud of my championship golf course renovations.
• It's not true that my brother [Robert Trent Jones Jr.] and I split the country in half when we both left my father's firm.
• The world would be a better place if there were more balance - balance between people, balance between nations, balance over the ball.
• When I turned 21 I thought I knew more than I did.
• There is no shortcut to experience.
• Most people would be surprised to know that I had polio when I was 10.
• All successful people need to be mindful of what got them there.
• The best day of my life is today. I've been very fortunate.
• When I meet someone, the first thing I notice is whether or not they look me in the eye.
• I'm envious of people with private jets! It would sure beat running through airports and dealing with long lines when on the way to job sites.
• If I could trade places with one person for a day, it would be Yogi Berra. He was adored by all and made people feel good when they're around him.
• My worst vice is over-indulging my two daughters.
• As an athlete, I was once a pretty good baseball player.
• My finest athletic moment was my wedge shot two feet from the pin on the last hole that led to victory in the 2002 Redstick Invitational. It was especially gratifying to win a tournament on one of my designs.
• My first job was as a counter man at a hamburger joint during high school. I worked from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. so I could play golf during the day.
• My life's mantra is life is all about people. Everybody is important, from the little guy to the big shots. The better you treat others, the better they treat you.
• I've found the biggest waste of time is hanging around in airports.
• When I need to relax, I get a massage. It does wonders for your brain as well as your body.
• The one thing that really gets me angry is waste, especially unnecessary government spending.
• My ideal foursome would include Bobby Jones - the golfer - Coach K [Mike Krzyzewski], David Fay and Bette Midler!
• Playing golf is better than not playing golf, but no better than watching the Mets win the seventh game of the World Series, which I did with my daughter Amy at Shea Stadium 1986.
• The best advice I've ever received is that you have to know how to build a golf course before you can design one. This came from Bill Baldwin, my father's construction manager, who knew how critical understanding the land was. When, as a young man, I would come up with an idea, he would say, "That's a good idea, but have you ever thought about doing it this way..." and I knew I was learning from a master.
• The biggest disappointment in my life was that I traveled a lot in my job and I missed spending more time with my family at home.
• The thing I covet most is a better golf game.

Reprinted with permission of PGA TOUR Partners magazine (September / October 2006)

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