Keeping Up,
Thanks to the
Joneses
Rees Jones has again updated his father’s design at Hazeltine National to challenge the world’s best players
WHEN HAZELTINE NATIONAL GOLF CLUB OPENED IN 1962, architect Robert Trent Jones was proud of his work – but far from done. The patriarch of the leg- endary golf course-design family continued to work
on the course over the years. That included a major redesign after the
club hosted the 1970 U.S. Open, and a collaboration with son Rees on
another renovation prior to the 1991 U.S. Open. Robert Trent Jones
passed away in 2000, but Rees Jones returned to tweak the course before
the 2002 PGA Championship.
By Don Jozwiak
Players and spectators familiar with Hazeltine National are likely to notice that Rees Jones has made more modifications in advance of this year’s PGA Championship. “There are a lot of parallels between Hazeltine and Augusta National Golf
Club,” Jones says. “Each has continued to grow the golf course, make changes and not be satisfied with the status quo.”
Hazeltine National PGA Head Professional Mike Schultz has been around to see many of the changes the Joneses have
Keeping the ball in the fairway is critical on hole No. 16 (right), always a favorite hole for spectators. Opposite page, top: The par- 4 fifth hole will play approximately 40 yards longer than it did in 2002.