STROKE OF THE DAY

"Everyone has his own choking level, a level at which he fails to play his normal golf. As you get more experienced, your choking level rises."

Ted Robinson, one of the most accomplished golf course architects of the 20th century, passed away last Sunday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 84.

Robinson designed or redesigned more than 170 golf courses, about half of which are in Southern California. The USC graduate gained particular notoriety for his work at properties throughout Palm Springs, including Indian Wells, Tahquitz Creek and The Lakes. He also crafted Orange County’s Tustin Ranch and Tijeras Creek, two of the state’s most successful high-end daily-fee facilities.

Outside of California, Robinson has had courses in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Hawaii ranked routinely in the top five of national publications. A former president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, he was renowned for his ability to craft aesthetically pleasing water features and make courses that were more enjoyable than excruciating.

In 2002, Robinson was also one of the first five inductees to Southland Golf’s Hall of Fame.

Robinson is survived by his wife, Bobbi, daughters Kris and Leigha, son and design partner, Ted Jr., and 10 grandchildren.