REES JONES: DESIGNER OF THE GEORGIA TECH CLUB Rees Jones by the consensus opinion of all in the golf industry is one of the best golf course designers working today. Several of his course designs in the Southeast have received recognition as among the best. Jones’ design for the Golf Club at Briars Creek in South Carolina was named Best New Private Course 2003 by Golf Digest. In Georgia, Reynolds Plantation (Oconee Course), placed eighth on the list of Best New Upscale Public Courses for 2002, and Ocean Forest Golf Club at Sea Island was Runner-up, Best New Private Course 1996. Ocean Forest hosted the Walker Cup in 2001. In Atlanta two courses redesigned by Rees Jones were then awarded a major tournament: Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands Course) – PGA 2001, 2011, and East Lake Golf Club – PGA Tour Championship 1998, 2000, 2002, and ongoing since 2004, and the USGA Amateur Championship 2001. "I’m pleased to be working in Georgia again, which has such a wonderful history in golf," said Rees Jones. "The site of the Georgia Tech Club is especially appealing. I’ve worked with the Melrose Company before, so I know that they will meet their objective of creating a distinctive home community. We intend to create a golf course that will challenge every level of player, including the Georgia Tech golf team, which every year includes some of the best collegiate golfers in America." Rees Jones began his career with Robert Trent Jones, Inc., his father’s design firm. Serving as vice president of the golf architecture firm from 1964 – 1974, he was responsible for all jobs undertaken by the east coast office. He has been president of Rees Jones, Inc., his own golf architecture firm from 1974 to the present. Jones has been a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects since 1967, and served as the organization’s president in 1978. Jones in 2004 received the Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). GCSAA’s most prestigious honor, the Old Tom Morris Award, is presented each year to an individual who "through a continuing lifetime commitment to the game of golf has helped to mold the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplified by Old Tom Morris." Morris (1821-1908) was greenkeeper and golf professional at the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland; a four-time winner of the British Open (1861, ’62, ’64 and ’67); and ranked as one of the top links designers of the 19th century. Jones has designed or renovated more than 100 courses throughout his career, many of which are widely regarded as among the very best in the world. Nicknamed "The Open Doctor" for his highly acclaimed work remodeling several U.S. Open courses, including Bethpage Black, Torrey Pines, The Country Club at Brookline, Hazeltine National, Baltusrol, Congressional and Pinehurst No. 2, Jones is the first second-generation Old Tom Morris Award recipient since the award was created in 1983. His father, the late Robert Trent Jones Sr., received the award in 1987.