NYACK, NY – Bradford A. Becken,Jr., Donald Ross Society president since 2018, has authored and presented a detailed analysis of Ross’ work relying on approximately 1,500 hole and green and routing drawings that still exist and having played and extensively photographed each one. Starting with the opening of Oakley CC in 1901, Donald Ross, the most important North American architect has 420 design and redesign golf courses to his credit. 370 courses remain today in the US and Canada. The book looks at Ross’ design characteristics and also discusses the restoration movement of Ross’ courses that began in the 1980’s
The new golf architecture book entitled, “The Golf Architecture of Donald Ross – A Study of the Work of America’s Greatest Golf Course Designer” is published by Classics of Golf and is available for purchase at $395.00 at www.classicsofgolf.com. Book specifications: 9” x 12” with 384 pages and a limited-edition of 500 copies, signed and numbered by the author.
All profits otherwise due the author are to be divided equally between The Donald Ross Society Foundation and The Tufts Archives in Pinehurst, NC.
“This book is a unique definitive look at the many Donald Ross courses in the United States and Canada,” said author Brad Becken, Jr. “Over the last several years I have spent a considerable amount of time closely studying Ross hole and green drawings grid line by grid line and closely comparing each current course to the drawings I have reviewed.”
Today, the timeless appeal of Donald Ross’ golf courses is stronger than ever with each such club proudly proclaiming its Donald Ross legacy. Even though the newest Ross design is over 70 years old, major PGA and LPGA events continue to be played on his courses despite the steady and ongoing improvement in the golf ball and playing equipment which have revolutionized the modern game.
For most of his career Ross did not have the luxury of moving mountains of dirt like golf architects today. Ross’ genius was his ability to analyze and take what was available at a particular site and then seamlessly fashion a course that was both challenging to the best players, but also manageable and enjoyed by the higher handicappers. Approximately 420 courses are credited to Ross as either a design or redesign scattered through the US and Canada and created at a time when travel was by train. He even designed two courses in Cuba although they did not survive Fidel Castro while roughly 370 of Ross’ courses continue to exist.
EARLY REVIEWS
“Every time we think the proverbial “last word” on the work and legacy of Donald Ross has been written and published, the golf gods seem to send down a different slant-and useful insights-on the incomparable handiwork of America’s patron saint of course design. Such is the case, and engagingly so, of Brad Becken Jr. new book, The Golf Architecture of Donald Ross. Like many of us, Becken takes a deep and loving dive into the classical elements that make Ross’ work so timeless and important-and sadly under siege in many places. Lavishly illustrated and brilliantly detailed in its exegesis of how and why so many of the great man’s courses came about and are still the gold standard today, Becken gives Ross fans (old and new alike) a true insider’s perspective on why a Ross course holds us in its spell. This may not be the final word on the man and his legacy-but it’s certainly one NOT to be missed.”
-James Dodson
Best selling golf author
2012 Donald Ross Winner
“Donald Ross would have loved Brad Becken. He is sharp and honorable – a true golfer. Becken has not only played all of Ross’s courses but plumbed the significance of the towering portfolio. Every golfer will delight in mulling over this exquisitely crafted presentation of the Scottish master’s work.”
– Chris Buie
Author of “The Life & Times of Donald Ross and The Early Days of Pinehurst”
“It is one of the finest books on golf architecture ever done. Brilliant and thoughtful text; fantastic photos, great layout, and all in all, this is truly a classic. An amazing contribution to the field of golf architecture.
– Don Holton
Historian, Exmoor Country Club
About the Author:
BRADFORD A. BECKEN, JR., joined the Donald Ross Society in 2012, was elected to the board in 2016 and since 2018 continues to serve as its President. “The Mission of the Donald Ross Society is to promote the recognition of Donald Ross, the excellence of his golf architecture and the preservation and/or restoration of his courses.”
About the Publisher:
Classics of Golf is an exclusive collection of the world’s best reading golf books that was created by the legendary Herbert Warren Wind and has grown and been managed by Michael P. Beckerich since 2003. The Classics of Golf continues to honor Mr. Wind’s mission to keep in print the literature and history of golf. The collection includes titles by Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Bernard Darwin and many other of the most revered names in golf.
In addition to the Library, Classics of Golf publishes select new books.
For further information about how to order this book or other Classics of Golf selections visit www.classicsofgolf.com, email mpb@classicsofgolf.com, or call 914-588-5454.
A free preview of the first 40 pages of the book is available at Classics of Golf (click here).
An in-depth interview (from January 2020) with the author is available on Golf Club Atlas (click here).
For more on the Donald Ross Society, please visit www.rosssociety.org.
The Publisher can be contacted at:
Michael P. Beckerich
914-588-5454
Michael@classicsofgolf.com
