No golf-design dynasty has left a bigger mark on championship golf than the Robert Trent Jones family. Trent Jones Sr. built some of America's toughest courses, and his son Robert Trent Jones Jr. — based in Palo Alto — carried the name across Northern California and the world. Here are the Robert Trent Jones courses you can find around the Bay Area and Monterey.
Between them, the Joneses gave the region a Pebble Beach gauntlet, a PGA Tour resort and two of California's finest public links.
Spyglass Hill Golf Course — Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s masterpiece on the Monterey Peninsula is one of the hardest and most beautiful public courses in America.
The Links at Spanish Bay — Robert Trent Jones Jr. — with Tom Watson and Sandy Tatum — built this windswept Scottish-style links along the Pebble Beach shore.
Poppy Hills Golf Course — RTJ Jr.'s NCGA home course in Pebble Beach, reborn in his own 2013–14 renovation as a firm, walkable, natural layout.
CordeValle Golf Club — A luxurious RTJ Jr. resort course in the San Martin hills that has hosted PGA Tour and U.S. Women's Open championships.
The Links at Bodega Harbour — An RTJ Jr. links on the Sonoma Coast, with a memorable stretch of holes tumbling toward Bodega Bay.
Silverado Resort (North Course) — A Robert Trent Jones Sr. design in Napa (later updated by Johnny Miller) that hosts the PGA Tour's fall event.
Silverado Resort (South Course) — The Sr.-era South course completes Napa's premier golf resort — tighter and more strategic than its sibling.
Shoreline Golf Links — RTJ Jr.'s links beside the bay in Mountain View, firm and breezy with San Francisco skyline views.
Corica Park (North Course) — An early layout with Robert Trent Jones lineage in Alameda, the North course complements its acclaimed rebuilt sibling.
Dublin Ranch Golf Course — A links-inspired RTJ-associated design in the Dublin hills, offering a fun, walkable East Bay round.
Planning Your Round
The Monterey trio — Spyglass Hill, Spanish Bay and Poppy Hills — is the ultimate Robert Trent Jones pilgrimage, and all three are open to the public. Silverado and CordeValle round out the championship-resort experience.
Planning the pilgrimage? Start with our Monterey golf travel guide, then compare the hardest courses in the Bay Area.