The Robert Trent Jones Society was very excited to be holding, for the first time, an Annual Meeting at an overseas location. The meeting was co-hosted by Club de Golf Valderrama and Club de Golf Sotogrande in Spain. The two courses are the signature highlights of the famous Andulucia region. Being the home to the Ryder Cup (1997), the Volvo Masters (1988-96 and 2002-2008), the World Golf Championships (1999-2000), the Andalucía Masters (2010-2011) and Open de España (2016), Valderrama surpasses its reputation as Europe’s number one course. Sotogrande holds its place by being ranked #3 in Spain and #10 in Europe as well as being the first course designed and built by RTJ in Continental Europe.
We were honored to have Bob Jones, Jr. his son Trent III, our long time friend and designer Roger Rulewich, and Cabell Robinson, who both worked for Mr. Jones for decades, in attendance. Their presence plus the tremendous effort put forth by the host clubs made this one of the Society’s best meeting ever.
At the opening cocktail party at the Valerrama clubhouse we were warmly greeted by Nuno Brito e Cunha, President of Valderrama, and Jamie Salaverrie, President of Sotogrande. Their remarks gave us great start to the meeting.
The next morning we all learned about the history of both these fine courses and how they have both done major restorations in the last few years. Both Club Presidents emphasized the importance of retaining all of Jones’s design principals. After Senior Cunho presented the Valderrama history, Senior Salaverri, Agustin Mazarrasa, Sotogrande General Manager, Roger Rulewich, David Fleury and Patrick Allende, the Greens Superintendent, discussed improvements made to the Sotogrande course during a major restoration in 2015-2016.
Following these very informative presentations Cabell Robinson, European Manager for Mr. Jones till 1987, talked about his years with Jones and many of the courses he helped build in Europe. Several inside stories and humorous quips were revealed. After a lovely lunch, half the group stayed to play the Valderrama course and the others went to Sotogrande. The weather was beautiful and the courses spectacular!
In a first for the Society’s Annual Meeting the next morning we took the day off from golf and had several options for tours to Seville or Gibraltar; or other activities in the area. The tour and recreation day was enjoyed immensely by everyone and is being discussed for future meetings.
That night, at the Banquet Dinner we were very fortunate to have Manuel Pinero, a member of two European Ryder Cup teams and winner of nine European Tour events, as our guest speaker. He spoke of his times playing with Seve, Floyd, Player, Palmer and others. He had many inside tails that few others have ever heard.
After Mr. Pinero was finished Bob Giere and Jack Borchelt, Co-Founders of the Society, announced their retirement. Bob introduced his successor Jim Whittaker from Crooked Oaks as President, and his wife, Susan Lord, as the National Director for the new Woman’s Section of the Society. Jack introduced David Caldwell from Mission Viejo, as the new Executive Director. Bob and Jack were then given a plaque, honoring their sixteen years as founding members.
On the last day of competition, we all switched courses and were met by other near perfect day in Andalucia. The beauty of these Jones designs and the quality of maintenance made for a once in a lifetime experience. They are both very difficult, but fair. At the final dinner at Sotogrande, many thanks were given and Jack and Bob were given a beautiful book on the history of Sotogrande. Jack announced that Palma Valley would take the Jones Cup home this year for the first time.
At the close there were lots of hugs and handshakes and promises to be together next year in Greenville.
Bob Giere
President
Robert Trent Jones Society
