Golf's most famous and prolific architect, Donald J. Ross, is credited with designing over 600 courses. Born in 1872 in Dornach, Scotland, he died in 1948 in Pinehurst, North Carolina where a memorial museum is located in his honor. Ross designed the Pinehurst courses where he was a golf professional and a superintendent. He also employed over 3,000 people in the golf course construction business and is most famous for his ability to incorporate natural terrain and link his Scottish heritage in his designs.

• Ross designed Manakiki Golf Course during the prime of his career. Since the course has had few modifications over the years, it has since attracted attention from "Donald Ross historians." Some "Ross" traits to note during play are: Small rolling greens. The #18 green may be the smallest in the Greater Cleveland area for regulation courses.
• The original bunkers had steep grass walls with sand level at the base. Many of the course's bunkers have been modernized with curved walls of sand rolling up to level ground. Look for the "untouched" bunkers.
• It was common for Ross to have a short par 3 hole where a player might make a two or a six!
• Typical of Scottish courses, a player may run the ball onto the green as long as it is hit straight on most holes at Manakiki.
• Small tee boxes close to the preceding green. Many of the original tee areas have since been expanded.