Cabell B. Robinson

Cabell B. Robinson was born in Washington on 12 October 1941. He attended Princeton, spent time at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and completed a landscape-architecture degree at the University of California, Berkeley. Friendship with Rees Jones led to summer employment with Robert Trent Jones Sr., whose firm he joined full time in 1967. Early American assignments taught him how an already global practice operated. In 1970 Jones established a permanent European office and placed Robinson in charge. He settled in Spain, where he continues to live. He was directly involved in many courses carrying the Robert Trent Jones name: Valderrama, Las Brisas, Los Naranjos, Sperone, Moliets and numerous French, Spanish and Portuguese projects. His role included routing, detailed design, client relations and site supervision. Robinson founded his independent practice in 1987. Finca Cortesin, Praia d’El Rey, Las Colinas, La Reserva, Santana, Aphrodite Hills, Palheiro and Troia are among his more recognised works. He prefers working directly with bulldozers and believes final form is determined in the field more than on paper. His courses are generally robust, attractive and suited to resort markets. Robinson prefers changing attacking angles through multiple tees rather than simply lengthening holes. Mediterranean slopes, ravines and broad views create visual variety. Greens and bunkers retain the scale of the Jones school, while his finest work is more flexible and naturally integrated. A living architect, Robinson represents an essential moment in European history: the permanent establishment of American professional design on the continent. He also trained associates including Jorge Santana da Silva. His name belongs in the credits of many courses long attributed exclusively to Robert Trent Jones Sr.