Course Info
ABOUT THE COURSE
Robert Trent Jones shaped how the world plays golf. And that’s not an exaggeration.
The great man designed or remodelled over 400 courses during his career, from Rio to Fukushima. You’ll find his footprints in the bunkers of Valderrama, the subtle slopes of Medinah and the watery graves of Celtic Manor, which have swallowed up some of the biggest names in the game.
But there’s one project RTJ placed above all others. And that’s the course that bears his name in Virginia. Robert Trent Jones Golf Club was, he said, “my masterpiece.” And this year, it gets the champions.
LIV Golf debuts at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club June 6-9, giving fans a chance to see Bryson DeChambeau right before he puts his U.S. Open title on the line. It promises to be an instant classic: great players, fantastic course and a dreamy location, just a short hop from Washington D.C.
As the anticipation starts to ramp up, here’s everything you need to know.
WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE WE GOT HERE?
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club was kinda founded by accident. RTJ was scoping out land for a separate project when he found this gorgeous piece of real estate in Virginia, on the banks of the newly formed Lake Manassas.
Construction began in 1988, and the course was ready for play in 1991. RTJ described the terrain as “aesthetically perfect” adding: “I don’t think we could have done any better anywhere.”
A quick tour of the property backs up this sentiment. Practically every hole is a signature in his right, but our favorites are the peninsular green on 11 which pokes out into Lake Manassas. These tiny greens present a real risk-reward challenge, but if there’s a better-looking trap anywhere in golf, we’d love to see it.
Upon completion in 1991, the club became a home to the Presidents Cup, hosting the first four U.S. editions. It’s since welcomed several other events, including the Solheim Cup in 2024.
HOW WILL IT PLAY?
Hard, but fair.
Apart from the stunning 11th hole, the water is more a backdrop than a trapdoor, so it shouldn’t cause the players too much trouble. And the big greens should encourage plenty of ambitious play, although the sneaky contours could impose a heavy penalty on anyone who gets over-confident.
WHO WILL IT FAVOR?
RTJ courses always reward the thinking player over the bomb-and-gouge hitter, and his courses are extremely consistent: while there are no terror holes, there are no weak ones either. So the players who can stay consistent, and problem-solve around the course, should prosper.
Based on these characteristics, we’d say Jon Rahm, LIV Golf’s Birdie Machine, should prosper here. But don’t rule out Phil Mickelson: he played in all four of those Presidents Cup tournaments at RTJGC, so he’ll have bags of local knowledge (along with lots of support from the crowd).
HOW CAN I BE THERE?
If you want to see the champions play a true masterpiece, then grab your tickets now. Cocktails on the lake, dining on 18, or a grounds ticket beside the players… however you want to do this, we’ve got you.
