Introduction
Theodore (Ted) G. Robinson (May 17, 1923 – March 2, 2008) was an American golf course architect.
Born in Long Beach, California, Robinson was an undergraduate at the University of California in Berkeley and received a master's degree in planning from the University of Southern California in 1948. He established his golf course architecture practice in 1954 and continued working there for over fifty years. Robinson joined the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) in 1973, served as president from 1983 to 1984, and ascended to ASGCA Fellow in 1995.
Robinson designed over 160 golf courses in his career, mostly in the western United States (including Hawaii), Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia. He was one of the first golf course architects to promote the use of water as a significant hazard, incorporating waterfalls and other large green-side water features in his designs.This work led to his nickname of "King of Waterscapes."
Robinson died at age 84 in Laguna Beach after battling pancreatic cancer. His son, Ted Jr., continues to run his father's golf design firm.
Selected courses designed
- Experience at Koele -Lanai, Hawaii (1990)
- Lakewood Country Club - Oiso Machi, Japan (1970, 1973)
- Old Ranch Country Club - Seal Beach, California (1967)
- Pinx Country Club - Cheju Island, Korea
- National Golf Club - Fort Washington, Maryland (1965)
- Robinson Ranch - Santa Clarita, California (with son Ted Jr.)
- Sahalee Country Club - Sammamish, Washington (1969), hosted the PGA Championship in 1998
- Tijeras Creek Golf Club - Rancho Santa Margarita, California (1990)
- Tustin Ranch Golf Club - Tustin, California (1989)
- Marrakesh Country Club - Palm Desert, California (1969)
- The Fountaingrove Club - Santa Rosa, California (1985)
- Westlake Golf Course - Westlake Village, California (1964)