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DESTINATION PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA

BY PAUL LEAHY

Pinehurst is all you have to say and golfers throughout the world know what you’re talking about. Located in Moore County, North Carolina this township is a mere hour from Raleigh and Greensboro and a very short plane flight from Missouri. If driving is more your thing, this beautiful scenic drive can be done in one day but the 15 hours might be better done in two so you can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

It all began in 1897 when the first nine holes was constructed and a year later an additional nine were built. Famed designer Donald Ross made his Pinehurst debut in 1901 putting his finishing touches on the 6,100 yard course coined Pinehurst No. 1. This was the beginning of centuries of course expansion and the beginning of one of the greatest golf destinations in the world.

In 1907 the famed centerpiece of Pinehurst’s nine courses was designed by Ross, Pinehurst No. 2. Known throughout the world as being one of the toughest tests of golf, this gem has hosted more single golf championships than any other course in America. No. 2 has hosted such events as the U.S. Men’s and Women’s amateurs, PGA Tour Championship, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, multiple U.S. Open Championships and a one-time back to back U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships in 2014. It has also been awarded the 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047 U.S. Opens, so generations to come will be able to see the beauty and difficultly of this timeless gem. The course has had two redesigns in its history. The first came in 1974 by R.T. Jones and the most recent in 2010 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw who brought the course back to its famed form and created lasting images for golf enthusiasts to enjoy time and again. This 7,600 yard course is a must-play with one of their storied caddies on any trip to Pinehurst.

Donald Ross also designed Pinehurst No. 3 and No. 4 in 1910 and 1919 respectively. No. 3 is the shortest of the courses playing at 5,155 yards as a par 68. Don’t let the shortness of the course fool you as it can be as challenging as the rest as you manage to hit your ball onto these small, undulating green complexes. No. 4 is the prefect compliment to its sister course No. 2. This 7,200-yard-plus masterpiece is the longest of the courses. Since 1919 famed designers Robert Trent Jones, Rees Jones and Tom Fazio have all put their stamps on the course during redesigns but in 2017 Gil Hance restored the course to more of its original design and it hosted the 2018 U.S. Amateur to rave reviews.

It took 42 years for the next course to open. Ellis Maples, a protégé of Donald Ross designed No. 5 and it opened in 1961. This 6,800 yard course is home to one of the most picturesque holes on the property, the Par-3 14th. Designers George and Tom Fazio opened Pinehurst No. 6 in 1979, a departure from the first five. This more rugged, undulating track playing 7,000 yards plays differently than the others. Tom Fazio came back in 2005 to make some small changes to his original design and it is a gem of a course.

After working on the redesign on No. 4, Rees Jones got the call to design Pinehurst No. 7 and it opened in 1986. He also did the redesign of the course in 2002 to expand it to its current length of 7,200 yards. Tiger Woods has only won one tournament at Pinehurst and that was on No. 7 in the 1992 Big I Junior Classic as a 16-year-old junior.

Tom Fazio got the call again to design No. 8 and it opened in 1996 to commemorate Pinehurst’s Centennial. This 7,100 yard course pairs well with the final course, Pinehurst No. 9, designed by famed golfer and architect Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus has long commented that No. 2 is his favorite golf course from a design standpoint, and he got to put his stamp on the final course Pinehurst No. 9.

This isn’t all the golf though at the resort. The Thistle Dhu, an 18-hole putting course is free to all guests. It was built in 1916 and is believed to be the first miniature golf course in America. Fun for the whole family, just bring a putter and a ball. In addition, there is a nine-hole short course that kids under 17 play free with a paid adult. The golf channel is quoted as saying “It’s the most fun 10 acres in all of golf.” Tradition is part of the experience and professional caddies are available at all the course but are highly recommended on Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 4.

Accommodations are plentiful with the beautiful historic 230 room Carolina Hotel, dubbed “Queen of the South” and the Holly Inn, the first accommodations on the property built in 1895. More modern accommodations can also be found at the Manor Inn, Carolina Villas and the Condos at Pinehurst. Ten dining options are available from a coffee shop, brewery, fine dining and everything in between. Pools, a full spa, tennis, pickleball, a fitness center, carriage rides, and lawn sports and much, much more are found at the resort. A historic and beautiful place for your next golf vacation. Visit Pinehurst at www.pinehurst.com to begin planning your next golf trip.

Paul Leahy is a PGA Golf Professional and the Director of Golf at Margaritaville Lake Resort.

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