Discovering Donald Ross: The Architect and his Golf Courses

by Bradley S. Klein

Discovering the life and work of a true Donald Ross

I grew up playing a Donald Ross golf course, Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio, so my standards of what a good golf course should be were based on a Ross design. I think being exposed early to a Donald Ross course provided me balance, as both a player and future golf course designer, because of the variety of shots found throughout each of his design. Ross was without a doubt a great influence on my design career, and he remains a personal favorite. I am happy to see Brad Klein devote a book to the work of Donald Ross. Brad is passionate about golf course design and that translates in his writing.
--Jack Nicklaus

367 pages, Hardcover

First published August 29, 2001

Reviews

[Rob Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've wanted to read this book for some time. I'm sorry to say it was a big disappointment.
The information and imagery were standard stuff you'd find in a magazine. But what struck me is that the writing was so bland. There wasn't a single sentence in there worth remembering. The insights were milquetoast and frankly, it missed several of the main points of the mans story.
But foremost among the many disappointments was the fact that the book just did not bring the man's story to life. Discovering Donald Ross falls flat.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad Klein could write about paint drying on a wall and it would hold my interest. His detailed research and story about Donald Ross and his golf courses was a captivating look at a man who helped shaped the future of golf in America. He was involved in the design of 399 golf courses during a time when email, text, commercial flights and technology did not exist. I highly recommend taking the time to study and enjoy this thorough research on Donald Ross.

[John Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice history, with excellent pictures, both current (1990s) and historical.

[M C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive bio