Donald Ross is widely recognized as the leading golf architect of the 20th century - and quite possibly of all time.   He is best known for his simple designs that use the existing natural landscape to challenge golfers of all skill levels.  Born on the 23rd of November 1872 in the District of Dornoch, County of Sutherland, Scotland, he was the son of Murdo Ross, a mason by trade, and Lilly (Campbell) Ross. In the 1891 census for the Burgh of Dornoch, eighteen year old Donald is listed as an apprentice Carpenter living with his parents, maternal grandmother (age 83), and younger brother John. By the end of the decade, he joined many other Europeans of his time by emigrating to America. At the time of his eventual departure from the Port of Liverpool, his occupation was listed as 'Club Maker' and his destination was the Port of New York.

By June of 1900, Donald Ross was living on Belmont Street in Watertown MA, just west of downtown Boston. One of nine 'servants' living with Gustave & Amy Jordan, Donald J. Ross was just 27 and his occupation was now listed as 'Golf Instructor.' As America's first great golf course designer, Ross helped transform golf architecture to become a highly regarded profession.

While growing up in Scotland, Ross studied golf, clubmaking, and later course design and greenkeeping.  He spent seven years as a professional working at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club.  At the urging of Harvard professor Robert Wilson, Ross came to America in 1899 to tap the growing public interest in the game of golf. By the time of his death in 1948, Ross had designed over 430 courses. He was also a successful tournament player, finishing in the top 10 of four U.S. Opens.

In 1989, a group of Ross devotees formed an organization to help safeguarde and elevate the stature of the golf courses from the so-called 'Golden Era' of Golf Course Architecture.  For information on the Donald Ross Society or to visit their website, click the logo at left.

For additional information about the life and work of Donald Ross as written by noted golf writer, Bradley Klein, see his award-winning book "Discovering Donald Ross."

The image of Donald Ross which appears throughout this Web site (at left) and on the main home page is used courtesy Michael Heslop, well known artist specializing in golf-related paintings.