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Monday, December 20, 2010

Pinehurst, Closer Than We Think

The Sandhills Area of North Carolina has the deepest roots in American golf history.  Famed architect Donald Ross first put the area on the map with his distinctive and natural designs. Other legends have since followed...Dan Maples, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones, Davis Love III, Mike Strantz and Peter Tufts. All leaving in their wake a multitude of grand golfing experiences. So much in fact, a 2002 survey by Golf Digest also ranked the Village of Pinehurst area as having "The World¹s Best Quality Courses".

Pinehurst No. 1
Step back in time to a classic layout that’s stood the test of time. Even though Dr. Leroy Culver built the first rudimentary nine holes and John Dunn Tucker added the next nine, it is clearly Donald Ross’ touch that can be seen on this first golf course. Don’t let the short 6,093-yard par 70 fool you - it’s more of a course than it first appears. Wild drives or a sloppy short game can make for a long day. As with any course bearing Ross’ name, it is ultimately very playable without losing its challenge - and a favorite for a great starting round. Pinehurst No. 1 reopened in 2008 after a nine-month renovation, making this member and guest favorite even better than before.

Pinehurst No. 3
Test your game on the rolling terrain of this classic Donald Ross short course. Its greens were recently renovated with Penn G-2 bent grass, making putting accuracy even more at a premium. Ben Crenshaw said it best in the 1970s, when No. 3 made an impression. “I just don’t think people understand how good those holes are. They’re filled with interest. They’re shorter, but there’s plenty of character to them.” A great course to start your stay at Pinehurst, No. 3 is the perfect warm-up for your next championship round.

Pinehurst No. 5
Pinehurst and the Maples family are indelibly intertwined, and more so with this Ellis Maples design. Opened in 1961, No. 5 holds true to a key Ross feature - Mother Nature as the best guide in golf architecture. The course has more water hazards to negotiate than any other course at Pinehurst. What you’ll see is a lot of variety in the layout - uphill and downhill, left-to-right and right-to-left, long and short par fours. Overall, it is a very playable, enjoyable 18 holes that will not disappoint.

Pinehurst No. 8
Pinehurst No. 8 opened in 1996 to commemorate Pinehurst’s centennial year. Fazio incorporated signature Ross features into the design of No. 8, including dips and swales around the greens, sloping greens and false fronts. The greens and tees are close together, making it a pleasure to walk. As the site of the PGA Club Pro Championship in 1997 and 1998, it is a proven championship course that daunts and delights all who play it. Located approximately 2 miles from the Main Clubhouse, it is a celebration of a century of great golf.
 

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