Ross is considered one of America's most talented golf course architects and was also a professional golfer, club manufacturer, and groundskeeper.

Just ask the course architect, John Sanford.

At the time, it was still permitted as a working mine, which meant fewer restrictions for the course architects.

The new golf course was designed by noted course architect Doug Carrick.

They were designed not by some famous course architect but by a local member and schoolteacher, Des Giffin.

Designed by noted course architect Pete Dye, the course uses half of the original holes opened in 1988 and is played on bent grass.

Dye is considered to be one of the most influential course architects in the world.

"I think they've got it right now," said Mark McCumber, the defending champion and a successful course architect.

Soon, he reached a level of production that no course architect would surpass.

"It is the permit requirements," said Geoffrey Cornish, a course architect who has designed nearly a score in the state.