The Loop

Cornell to receive Robert Trent Jones papers

January 06, 2011

The voluminous papers and plans of golf course architect Robert Trent Jones are ending up at his alma mater, Cornell University.

Donated by his sons, Rees and Robert Trent Jr., the collection covers seven decades of  blueprints, correspondence, finanical records and photographs from Jones, who graduated from Cornell in 1930 and was 93 when he died in 2000 having designed 325 courses in more than 25 countries, including the layout at Cornell.

"He is certainly a Cornell icon," said Elaine Engst, university archivist. "During his lifetime, when he was approached by another university about donating his papers, he had his lawyer write a letter saying, 'It is my intention to donate my collection to Cornell.' "

Engst said the library is seeking funding to hire people to organize the materials. Preparing the collection could take two years.

--Bill Fields