20253 min readChocolate Drops: The Pinehurst No 4 Closure Isn’t SurprisingGolf architecture news and notes for the week of May 5 Did you celebrate May the Fourth by watching Andor Here are a few stories from the golf architecture industry that have my attention right now: → Pinehurst Resort announced last Tuesday that Pinehurst No. 4 will close on May 19 to undergo a “full greens restoration.” In a social media post the condition of the greens on Pinehurst No warmer spring temperatures have not brought about the expected recovery.” The No one of the resort’s most popular since Gil Hanse’s redesign in 2018 I don’t know the full agronomic backstory here but I have heard that this past winter was a tough one for the Pinehurst area 4 apparently more affected than the resort’s other courses the courses at Bandon Dunes have struggled in recent years to maintain firm especially during the winter and early spring and Bandon have a few key things in common: they are open year-round; they are located in moderate yet unpredictable climates where harsh winters are not uncommon; and they have been very The combination of winter storms and heavy play will always lead to dodgy turf conditions no matter how smart and hard-working a maintenance crew might be There’s no avoiding the occasional closure → Last week, the members at Portmarnock Golf Club voted to approve a course renovation by Mackenzie & Ebert The proposed changes include converting the par-4 second hole into a par 3 and creating a championship routing in which the current 17th would become the 18th and the current 18th would serve as the opener The project is understood to be part of the club’s effort to attract an Open Championship → I enjoyed this article in Golf Course Architecture by Mike Clayton on vegetation management in the Melbourne Sandbelt A fine pairing of author and subject matter → In the April 22 Design Notebook I relayed the news that Royal Dornoch Golf Club had hired King Collins Dormer to create a master plan for the Struie Course That plan is expected to be presented to the membership tomorrow → I was at Bandon Dunes last week with my colleagues Cameron Hurdus and Matt Rouches filming something for our YouTube channel I spent a couple of mornings walking around Bandon Preserve the stunning 13-hole short course built by Coore & Crenshaw in 2012 my dad gave me a copy of The World Atlas of Golf That kick-started my obsession with golf architecture I read as many books about the subject as I could find filled a couple of sketch books with plans for imaginary golf courses and even joined the local junior golf league for a summer so I could get a crack at Alister MacKenzie's Valley Club of Montecito I ended up pursuing other interests in high school and college but in my early 30s I moved to Pebble Beach to teach English at a boarding school Andy offered me a job as Managing Editor in 2019 the two of us were the only full-time employees The company has grown tremendously since then and today I'm thrilled to serve as the Head of Architecture Content I work with our talented team to produce videos and written work about golf courses and golf architecture Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet 24ReplyCancelSUBMIT COMMENTSUBMIT COMMENTThank you! 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Something went wrong while submitting the form.Author NameJan 13, 2025DeleteLorem ipsum dolor sit amet FooterA deeper level of golfSign up to our newsletter for fresh takes Mondays Fried Egg Course RatingWe rate golf courses using a three-"Egg" scale a course must be very good; to receive three Most courses will not get any Eggs at all — and this is not meant as an insult Click here to learn more about our rating system and our criteria of Land Timberlake x Nike shoe collab early access 4 will be closed from the end of May through early August Pinehurst Resort has 10 regulation golf courses But for at least a couple of months only nine will playable On Tuesday, Pinehurst announced that its highly ranked and popular No. 4 course will be closed in the late spring and for much of the summer so the resort can complete an unplanned “full greens restoration.” 4’s greens did not respond as we anticipated and unfortunately fell short of our standards,” the resort said in a statement we have made the difficult decision to close Pinehurst No 4 beginning May 19 to complete a full greens restoration.” Pinehurst said the greens did not grow in as planned after a colder-than-normal winter leading the resort to reinvest in the putting surfaces rather than welcome visitors at substandard conditions we were optimistic that the course would recover as temperatures warmed based on input from agronomy experts,” the resort said A recent follow-up report confirmed what we have seen: No 4’s greens have continued to deteriorate.” Pinehurst said it expects the restoration to be completed by Aug meaning the course will be closed for fewer than three months in total assuming the restoration grows in at the expected rate “We deeply regret the impact this will have on our guests’ and members’ golf experience and we have been in communication with them,” the resort said “But we believe this is the right step forward and gives us the best opportunity to return No 4 to our high standards by later this summer.” No. 4 quickly has become a guest favorite at Pinehurst since a 2018 Gil Hanse restoration originally designed by Donald Ross but dramatically reoriented by Hanse has earned plaudits for serving as a more playable fun counterpart to the resort’s crown jewel James Colgan is a news and features editor at GOLF writing stories for the website and magazine and utilizes his on-camera experience across the brand’s platforms during which time he was a caddie scholarship recipient (and astute looper) on Long Island He can be reached at james.colgan@golf.com All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team Pinehurst Resort announced on April 21 that Pinehurst No. 11, to be designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw will begin construction at Pinehurst Sandmines later this year.  No. 11 joins Tom Doak’s design of Pinehurst No 10 at the 900-acre site that for decades was mined for its deep reservoirs of sand Those past mining operations are still evident within the contours of the site of Coore & Crenshaw’s routing They are among the features that have drawn the pair to this area since their acclaimed restoration of Pinehurst No just because of its inherent character,” said Coore who marvels at the mixture of native elements and man-made remnants some of which still remain from when The Pit Golf Links was open This land is left over from all that mining from the 1930s It’s not too often you get that kind of combination and it creates a site that is extraordinarily interesting for golf.” If anyone should know from one North Carolina golf parcel to the next who introduced Coore to the Donald Ross-designed courses at Pinehurst then continued to play competitively while at Wake Forest University It was at Wake Forest that he discovered the remarkable architecture at his college’s home course Coore has stated on multiple occasions that Pinehurst No 2 and Old Town became the cornerstones of his understanding of golf architecture and right before his term of enlistment ended he stumbled upon a public course in High Point Intrigued by how different Dye’s methods and expressions were Dye eventually engaged Coore’s services as a laborer and equipment operator at another course in the area he was building That set the stage for Coore’s design career both in Dye’s employ and then when he ventured on his own in the early 1980s Coore teamed with Ben Crenshaw in 1985 and although they weren’t overnight sensations thanks to award-winning tracks such as Kapalua Resort’s Plantation course in Hawaii (1991) and Sand Hills in Nebraska (1994) as their roster of Top 100 courses expanded it took until 2005 for Coore and his partner to break ground in Coore’s home state of North Carolina the commission that made Coore and Crenshaw legends in the Tar Heel State didn’t occur until 2010 Coore and Crenshaw were asked to restore fabled Pinehurst No It was an enormous risk for Pinehurst Resort ownership dramatically altering the historic course that played host to the 1999 and 2005 U.S Coore and Crenshaw yanked out the Bermuda rough and put back the hardpan pine straw and wispy wire grass that Ross had originally installed The restored look and strategies wowed the critics and mystified the pros at the 2014 U.S when only three golfers finished under par Coore and Crenshaw were tromping around a golf site in the Pinehurst area as early as 2005 — on ground that would open as The Dormie Club ownership and recession issues prevented it from formally opening until 2010 confusion over its private-public status and the firm’s other high-profile job nearby basically kept the Dormie Club under the radar the course was so well regarded by those in the know that in 2012, Golf Magazine included it in its list of the Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the U.S Coore got one more bite of the other sweet architectural apple in his life when he and Crenshaw were retained in 2013 to restore Old Town Club with Golf Magazine elevating it into the Top 100 Courses in the U.S Coore and Crenshaw are back in North Carolina 10 commands attention for its elevation changes and expansive vistas Coore & Crenshaw see something unique in No Then firm envisions a golf course that winds and twists while still being dramatic in shape and style with jutting ridges and massive mounds to be played over and around “These two courses really couldn’t be more different 11 complement each other so well by contrasting so much Golf in the North Carolina Sandhills can be an experience unlike any other and we believe the golf at Pinehurst Sandmines will be a great representation of that.” 11 are unlike anything he has seen around Pinehurst.  but it’s so quirky with the ridges and the piles and the trees and the angles You’re winding your way through trees and over old piles and across ridges but we have these contours and features and landforms that remind you of spots in Ireland or Scotland We’re excited to be working with Detroit Golf Club later this year when we break ground on the major Donald Ross restoration and infrastructural project slated for Monday, June 30th, 2025, the day after the PGA TOUR’s Rocket Mortgage Classic finishes up. You may see us with… pic.twitter.com/gr3odxa3qm — Tyler Rae (@TylerRaeDesign) February 10, 2025 SIX-HOLERS OPENS AT GRAVES GCGraves Golf Club has opened its six-hole golf course as part of a new comprehensive teaching facility established on the grounds of the former Coffee Creek Golf Course Played three times, the course will stretch to 6,578 yards and play to par 70. Architectural credit goes to the newly formed team of Steve Smyers, Colton Craig and Tom Coyne who utilized "striking geometric features and distinctive rectangular bunkering," according to Craig The course and teaching academy are owned and operated by brothers Tim and Todd Graves adherents to the single-plane swing theories of Canadian legend Moe Norman Craig has relocated his full-time residence to the Graves Golf Club property THE CLIFFS EDGE TOWARD OPENINGAustralia’s The Cliffs Kangaroo Island will open to preview play in January 2026 Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third largest island "We are incredibly excited to make this announcement," said Sam Atkins Developer and CEO of The Cliffs Kangaroo Island "This project has been over 10 years in the making and to finally see the golf course taking shape grass being planted and the clubhouse design complete Preview play will allow limited access for guests to play and experience the course and its surroundings before the official opening in Easter 2026 when we will unveil the full clubhouse and other amenities." Designed by Darius Oliver a world top-100 course on Australia’s King Island The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is set along the island's southern cliffs offering striking views of the Southern Ocean par-71 course is surrounded by the island’s unique flora and fauna and is described by Oliver as "a world-class links course" in one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on the planet Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina has announced it will close its No 4 course for most of this summer to resurface its greens that didn’t survive winter as well as customary at the famous North Carolina Resort The Ultradwarf Bermuda greens have been in rough shape but resort operators had been told they should recover as spring warmed up the courses and promoted the growth of the grass so the resort made the difficult decision to close the course instead of sending out golfers to play with less than stellar conditions News of the upcoming resurfacing was first reported by Joe GolfTraveler on X The statement from the resort about the greens is as follows:  4’s greens did not respond as we anticipated and unfortunately fell short of our standards 4 beginning May 19 to complete a full greens restoration We deeply regret the impact this will have on our guests' and members’ golf experience and we have been in communication with them But we believe this is the right step forward and gives us the best opportunity to return No 4 to our high standards by later this summer Bill Coore walks over the property where he and Ben Crenshaw will build Pinehurst No An aerial look over the planned 17th hole of the Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw course coming to Pinehurst in 2027 An aerial view of the land where Pinehurst Course No After nearly 25 years without adding a new 18-hole course into its scorecard Pinehurst Resort announced Monday it will build its second full-scale course in just the past year 11 will be located at the Pinehurst Sandmines location in Aberdeen the last course built by the club was Course No Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content Email notifications are only sent once a day Please purchase a subscription to continue reading Subscribe today and support local community journalism Physical Address: 145 W Pennsylvania Avenue Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account ShareSaveCommentBusinessSportsMoneyPinehurst Unveils Course No. 11 As Golf’s Biggest Resort Grows AgainByErik Matuszewski Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Erik Matuszewski's coverage spans golf businesses news & destinationsFollow AuthorApr 21 08:11am EDTShareSaveCommentAn aerial image of the routing for Pinehurst No which is situated on the resort's Sandmines .. with the iconic Pinehurst Resort in the sand hills of North Carolina unveiling plans for its 11th 18-hole course Designed by the accomplished team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw which debuted last year on the site of a former sand mine that sat unused for more than a decade 11 expected to open for play in Fall of 2027 “I don’t think I have ever seen two more physically different sites that are contiguous literally touching each other than the sites for No who grew up in North Carolina and has been playing courses in the Pinehurst area since his youth “They’re monumentally different in terms of their character And the two courses will (also) be massively different in terms of their characteristics The routing for the new course is situated at Pinehurst Sandmines a 900-acre property that Pinehurst President Tom Pashley has called the resort’s “Field of Dreams” – an area that could realize the evolving demands of destination golf in a modern way Once Tom Doak and Angela Moser were enlisted to build No expectations were that it would eventually include two championship courses 10 opened in 2024 on a 900-acre property that .. who were responsible for the major restoration of Pinehurst’s flagship No had done a routing in 2012 for a course on the property that is now Sandmines But Pashley has said he’s grateful it wasn’t pursued at the time because the resort has learned much more about the look and feel of the “future of golf.” Pinehurst introduced its nearly two-acre Thistle Dhu putting course in 2012 and opened its hugely popular Cradle par-3 course just outside the main clubhouse in 2017 was celebrated in 2018 for his redesign of Pinehurst No 10 – along with the branding of Pinehurst Sandmines – represented the resort’s first new 18-hole course project in nearly three decades the terrain for the two courses is very different the designs will complement each other by contrasting with one another “The two courses really couldn’t be more different “Golf in the North Carolina Sandhills can be an experience unlike any other 10 has elevation changes and expansive vistas that are noteworthy for the area 11 will play over and around jutting ridges and massive mounds of material left over from long-time mining operations but these so-called spoils are deposits left by miners who decades ago were stripping sand and other material “What we didn’t expect were these created landforms that have now matured into a very natural appearance and condition Bill Coore on the site that will be home to Pinehurst No Coore says there’s a more intimate scale to the land “You’re winding your way through trees and over old piles and across ridges," added Coore the 6,000-square-foot pro shop and locker room for Sandmines will open this June with a restaurant and bar to follow in August which is about four miles south of the resort’s main clubhouse are ongoing and could be in place by the end of 2027 which breaks ground on construction later in 2025 “We want Pinehurst Sandmines to be a special place not just in Pinehurst but in the game of golf that will stand the test of time and enhance the soul of American golf,” says Bob Dedman Jr. “The vision Coore and Crenshaw have for No 11 coupled with what Tom Doak has already done at No and we couldn’t be more excited about what the future has in store.” further solidifying the resort’s standing as the largest in the world of destination golf The only other public resorts with more than 100 holes are Reynolds Lake Oconee in Georgia (126) Bandon Dunes in Oregon (122) and Gull Lake View in Michigan (108) A two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Morganton Road and Monticello Drive blocked traffic and caused delays in Pinehurst on Saturday afternoon Though no cause was released at the scene due to the investigation being ongoing both vehicles sustained moderate to heavy damage due to the force of the impact The driver of the Lexus was evaluated at the scene by Moore County EMS The occupants of the Toyota were not injured The wreck caused heavy traffic congestion in the area as first responders worked to remove the vehicles and redirect traffic drivers experienced delays until the intersection was cleared The cause of the crash remains under investigation Units responding to the scene included Moore County EMS ~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Brandi Grice DeChambeau stepped into the bunker for his first swings since the final round of the Masters Tournament hitting three shots into the wind from roughly 55 yards out “The greens were firmer when I played,” DeChambeau said Monday with a smile And the only shot that mattered was the third one that occurred on the 72nd hole at the 2024 U.S when DeChambeau used a 55-degree Ping Glide wedge from 55 yards out to get the ball within 4 feet for a par putt that led to him raising the U.S Open trophy on the 25th anniversary of Payne Stewart’s iconic victory in 1999 on No “That third shot’s what did it for me,” DeChambeau said from just outside of the bunker near the 18th green HOME: Pinehurst is home for golf in North Carolina, and the U.S. Open didn't disappoint | Baxley PAYNE STEWART: 2024 US Open: Payne Stewart's statue remains No. 1 photo spot at Pinehurst No. 2 the same one he used to hit over his house for a hole-in-one in a YouTube video was donated to the The USGA Experience and the World Golf Hall of Fame in February to show DeChambeau before taking it across the street and returning it to the museum “That bunker shot was the shot of my life,” DeChambeau said after winning the USGA’s 1,000th championship last year there’s a permanent reminder of that shot in front of the bunker by the 18th green we have no shortage of trophies and statues,” said Tom Pashley “But there’s not a single plaque on Pinehurst No We couldn’t be more proud to have this be our first.”  DeChambeau held up the plaque for photographs before placing it into the ground kissing his hand before touching the plaque and walking back toward the clubhouse “Forever in history by that bunker," DeChambeau said Following DeChambeau’s fifth-place finish at the Masters which ended with a 75 on Sunday in the final group with eventual champion Rory McIlroy at Augusta National Golf Club people wondered if DeChambeau would keep his commitment to Pinehurst had a plane scheduled to fly back to Dallas What are we talking about?” DeChambeau said as he reflected on the conversation with Falkoff after Sunday’s final round “Not to throw shade – he protects me a lot – but I had to come wouldn’t have blamed DeChambeau if he opted out of Monday’s appearance But Bodenhamer wasn’t surprised to see DeChambeau “A lot of players wouldn’t be here today,” Bodenhamer said it speaks volumes for the type of individual he is and the type of champion he is.”  The importance of Pinehurst and its history along with his connection to Stewart and SMU had DeChambeau fighting back tears as he reflected on his championship-winning week at No It’s important to celebrate the moments where you win,” DeChambeau said “It’s really cool being able to come back from losing the Masters – one of the biggest rounds of my life – to remembering one of the most important rounds of my life Bryson DeChambeau’s ‘moment cemented forever’ For DeChambeau “Pinehurst is home” and “now it feels like home” because of his U.S Open title and the plaque that will be on No 18 as a reminder of the moment he made in the Sandhills He couldn’t recreate that moment with his three shots Monday but he thinks about the one that mattered “every day” when he wakes up It helped him make history as the first to get a commemorative plaque at Pinehurst Resort “I don’t got a statue,” DeChambeau said with a chuckle “But it’s certainly an honor to have a plaque out here by the 50-yard fairway bunker shot The USGA doing this for me is an incredible honor one that hopefully will inspire many in the future It looks like they have some protective screens up there now.”  The protective screens are up for the golfers determined to emulate DeChambeau’s shot when they see the plaque as they wrap up a round No “I just hope I don’t get the bill for the windows this year,” DeChambeau said with a smile Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com A popular golf course in Pinehurst is closing for the summer Pinehurst No. 4 will close in May to restore the surfaces on the greens, according to Golf magazine 4 was redesigned by designer Gil Hanse in 2018 Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have been hired by Pinehurst Resort to design the new No just because of its inherent character,” says Coore Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina will begin construction this year on a new course The course will be located alongside Tom Doak’s Pinehurst No. 10 design at the Pinehurst Sandmines site a 900-acre parcel of land that for decades was mined for its deep reservoirs of sand just because of its inherent character,” said Coore “That character was essentially created It’s not too often you get that kind of combination and it creates a site that is extraordinarily interesting for golf.” Coore and Crenshaw want their course to wind and twist while still being dramatic in shape and style “It’s not as much elevation change but it’s so quirky with the ridges and the piles and the trees and the angles You’re winding your way through trees and over old piles and across ridges and we believe the golf at Pinehurst Sandmines will be a great representation of that.” said: “We want Pinehurst Sandmines to be a special place not just in Pinehurst but in the game of golf that will stand the test of time and enhance the soul of American golf The vision Coore & Crenshaw have for No and we couldn’t be more excited about what the future has in store.” 11 course is expected to open in autumn 2027 The golf design team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are back at it in the Sandhills of North Carolina this time laying out a new course that will become Pinehurst No 11 and that is expected to open in the fall of 2027 the Sandmines is being developed to include cottages and other amenities The 6,000-square-foot pro shop and locker room opens this June and in August the Sandmines’ restaurant and bar will open Plans for lodging for guests staying on property are ongoing and could be available by the end of 2027 10 sits on land previously occupied by The Pit The Sandmines area previously had been mined for Those mining operations left contours and features that were incorporated into Pinehurst No and they also will play a big role in Coore and Crenshaw’s No just because of its inherent character,” Coore who along with Crenshaw restored Pinehurst No said in a media release announcing plans for No as found at the future home of Pinehurst No And while they will sit adjacent to each other on similar ground Coore and Crenshaw are working on a set of plans that will make their new course stand out from the already well-received No but in the game of golf that will stand the test of time and enhance the soul of American golf,” Bob Dedman Jr. 2025 at Reid Heart Center FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst NC to the late Hunter and Myrtle Ingram Murray Josh Murray (Lisa) and Theresa Forbis (Billy); grandchildren Braxton Murray (his wife Beverly survives him) and loving aunt Mary Ella Ingram “Lolla.”    Thomas was a car enthusiast and the past president of the Sandhills Classic Street Rod Association During his working career he was a Human Resources Manager at Waverly Mills and founding owner and operator of Tom-Kat Embroidery with his wife Kathy He was a loyal supporter of Sandhills Teen Challenge 2025 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Boles Funeral Home The family requests memorial contributions be directed to Sandhills Teen Challenge or St Jude or Moore Regional Hospital Foundation Condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com   Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines The par-4 fifth Hole of Gil Hanse’s design of Pinehurst No The Havemeyer Trophy given to the winner of the U.S Amateur championship is displayed at the first tee of Course No 4 will close this summer for restoration work to be done on the putting surfaces the resort announced this week following subpar standards of the complexes 10-ranked course in the state by the NC Golf Panel this year is less than six years removed from the Gil Hanse redesign and the condition of the putting greens have led to the summer-long closure Queen City News Pinehurst Resort announced that it is preparing to construct its 11th golf course The 18-hole course will be about 5 miles south of the main clubhouse there are 900 acres out there where Pinehurst No 11 and add some additional lodging and other guest experience components out there,” said Phil Werz CEO and President of the Pinehurst Southern Pines Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau The course is being designed by North Carolina native Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw Construction is expected to start later this year Werz said there is a growing demand for golf since the pandemic That demand is bringing more people to “The Cradle of American Golf,” a nickname for the Pinehurst area All of those golfers are not only having an impact on area businesses but they’re also impacting infrastructure “There are 10 to 12 DOT projects ongoing You’re going to see some construction here pick up in the next couple of years The idea is to basically (build) four lanes and expand the roads coming in and out of Pinehurst — into this destination and in time for the 2029 U.S 11 marks another milestone in a short amount of time for Pinehurst Sandmines 10 has earned numerous accolades since it opened a year ago other elements of Sandmines are also coming together this summer The 6,000-square-foot pro shop and locker room will open in June Sandmines’ restaurant and bar will be open for business 11 is expected to be completed and open in 2027.  these are the actual most popular baby names so far in 2025 Whether it’s a short vacation or they’re jetting off to begin their career show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift National Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5 take advantage of these freebies and deals When you write a Golf Advisor course review now through December 31 your review will be entered into Golf Advisor’s Rate to Escape: Maui Sweepstakes for a chance to win a five-star trip to Maui One Grand Prize winner and guest will travel in an AVIS rental car for six nights/ seven days of accommodations with the latest gear from OGIO to play on the finest fairways in Maui We’re also giving away 12 Golf Advisor Swag bags to lucky reviewers Pinehurst's newest outpost is set to take its next big step forward America's grande-dame 130-year old resort in the North Carolina Sandhills announced this morning that a brand-new golf course will begin construction this year at its satellite Sandmines property in the town of Aberdeen five miles south of the resort's main campus the new 18-hole course will be laid out by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and is expected to open for play in the fall of 2027 Coore & Crenshaw have long-standing ties to Pinehurst Their 2010 restoration of Donald Ross' masterpiece kicked off a 21st-century golf design renaissance for the resort By stripping away acres of dense Bermuda rough that had proliferated within the pine-lined corridors and reintroducing the naturally sandy they reset both the original aesthetic and playing characteristics of the course a philosophical change that has reverberated throughout the resort That same respect for Pinehurst's unique natural gifts abides in the significant renovations of Pinehurst No as well as the construction of The Cradle short course and Doak's Pinehurst No Other enhancements resort-wide have included full-on renovations of the historic Carolina Hotel the establishment of the Pinehurst Brewing Company restaurant and much more The USGA opened a headquarters on resort property in 2024 and has designated Pinehurst No The 900-acre Sandmines property strikes a contrast to the sprawling site that houses courses 1 through 5 and the changes wrought on the terrain as a result give it a uniquely rugged look while still being unmistakably part of the Sandhills 10 climbs some of the largest hills tackled by any Pinehurst course Parts of the section of the property where Coore & Crenshaw will build were once home to a golf course called The Pit The Sandmines property will open its clubhouse this June and plans to add lodging are underway as well NEW 6-HOLE COURSE - The recently-formed design firm of Smyers Craig & Coyne (Steve Smyers, Colton Craig, Tom Coyne) announced the opening of Graves Golf Club, a six-hole loop on property owned by top instructor Todd Graves, in Edmond, Okla. [LINK: Golf Course Industry] HISTORIC REOPENING - Iowa's Rock Island Arsenal Golf Course, which dates to 1896 and closed seemingly for good in 2018, will reopen nine holes April 26. [LINK: U.S. Army] FIRST ORIGINAL GREEN - Andrew Green, who has garnered acclaim for his renovations of classic courses, is building a new-from-scratch course outside of Greenville, S.C., called Kawonu Golf Club. Construction is underway. [LINK: Golf Course Architecture] The Pinehurst Radiology building located at 30 Memorial Drive Suspicious network activity has closed the doors of Pinehurst Radiology Associates for the foreseeable future until the problem can be rectified “Pinehurst Radiology Associates recently became aware of suspicious activity in its network environment,” according to a statement the company shared with The Pilot The Pinehurst Radiology Associates practice appears to be no closer to being able to reopen after experiencing a computer hacking incident that occurred in January It is still unclear what the cybersecurity threat entails An updated statement provided to The Pilot this past weekend differed little from a comment the practice put out in early February The Casino Building in Pinehurst was purchased by Pinehurst Resort in February of 2025 from Gentry Holdings who will continue to operate their real estate business in the building for the foreseeable future The Casino Building in downtown Pinehurst was built in 1896 as a community gathering space with a cafe Pinehurst Resort purchased the property from Gentry Holdings “We’re excited to announce the acquisition of the historic Casino Building in the village of Pinehurst,” says Tom Pashley “This landmark property has long been a centerpiece of the village.” The newest addition to the Pinehurst Resort Join the clubJoin the clubJoin the clubJoin the clubLog inLog inLog inLog inAccessSemi Private 10 with Architect Angela Moser56 minMay 10 Pinehurst Resort acquired 900 acres in Aberdeen about five miles south of its main resort complex formerly a sand-mining operation and later occupied by a Dan Maples-designed golf course called The Pit Golf Links a striking 18-hole course designed by Tom Doak Under the supervision of longtime Doak associate Angela Moser 10 was built with remarkable speed and opened in April 2024 11 course designed by Coore & Crenshaw represents Pinehurst’s first original golf development since the debut of Tom Fazio’s No {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-001}} After Coore & Crenshaw’s restoration of Donald Ross’s No Pinehurst embarked on a series of capital-improvement projects including the construction of Gil Hanse’s Cradle short course and a renovation of the iconic Carolina Hotel Pinehurst Sandmines is less the beginning of a new era for the resort and more a continuation of a 15-year-long effort to keep up with upstart competitors like Dream Golf and Cabot several skillful architects from the Renaissance Golf Design Extended Universe helped to shape greens at Pinehurst No and Joe Wandro all lent their expertise to specific greens In the Course Tour section of this profile I’ve listed the primary shaper (or shapers) responsible for each green Persuading the boss. In our member video from November 2023 Moser revealed that Doak was initially hesitant about keeping the enormous mining mounds in the middle of the eighth fairway intact Moser worked to convince him that the existing landscape would work citing the mogul-strewn 10th hole at Harry Colt’s Utrechtse Golf Club “De Pan” in the Netherlands as a precedent Tom Doak had to create a functional routing on a severe and complicated he and his lead associate Angela Moser had to finish construction between January and June of 2023 to ensure that the course could be grassed and ready by the opening date of April 3 All of this took place in the spotlight of one of the best-known golf resorts in the world Doak and his team acquitted themselves exceptionally well 10 is an elegant and inventive golf course—a delight to play which loops around the property with seeming spontaneity continually probing new areas and finding fresh ways to use the hilly terrain Only sharp-eyed players will notice the gas line running through the center of the site: from south to north it cuts in front of the eighth and seventh tees These intrusions of linear infrastructure on the naturalistic golf environment might have been more apparent if Doak hadn’t routed the course so deftly He made sure that the gas line affected each hole in a different way and that the crossing points fell in spots that most players would be hitting over Doak’s knack for solving such routing puzzles is one of his trademarks and a major reason why the most influential developers in golf continue to hire him over up-and-coming architects some of its individual features may need more time to develop and 15—strike me as slightly under-realized the ninth green is one of the most beautifully shaped on the course) but none delivers the jolt of inspired uniqueness that I feel on nearly every hole at Doak’s best courses the already famous eighth and 17th holes—the former tumbling over huge slag heaps and the latter boasting a multi-lobed multilevel riot of a green—seem to belong to a different especially as the course’s native areas fill in over the next few years The indigenous scrub on the margins of the hole corridors may eventually give the lesser holes some visual pop and the full course a unifying theme So it’s not really fair to render a final judgment on Pinehurst No Donald Ross spent the better part of his 49-year American residency molding the No 2 course into the form that we know and revere today and the Ross trio in Southern Pines (Mid Pines and Southern Pines) as a strong supporting piece in any Carolina Sandhills itinerary and presentation are equal contributors to this rating This is a very good but not (yet) world-beating course Considering how quickly the project was carried out it might be worth revisiting this assessment in a few years The green makes this opening par 4: set on a left-to-right diagonal and draped over tilted ground A kicker mound at the front-left corner allows low-trajectory players to feed the ball onto the green from the right side of the fairway {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-002}} The abrupt front-left shelf makes for a difficult and exciting pin position and the right edge of the shelf forms a feeder contour that players can use to gain access to back-right pin positions Green shaped by Joe Wandro with Eric Iverson {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-003}} The third fairway climbs uphill and wraps around a large and taking a left turn to the low-lying green There’s nothing immediately impressive about the hole except that every detail is executed with intelligence and taste I like how the lone pair of trees on the right edge of the fairway If you hit your drive to the less-guarded part of the fairway on the right you may have a decent angle to go for the green in two but the trees will limit your access to the layup zone short and right of the green The green complex sits at grade and is subtly and artfully shaped The contours in the surrounds—including a front-middle mound and a sideways tier that creates high-right and low-left sections—complicate recoveries from the right side where players often miss in an effort to avoid the intimidating bunkers short left {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-004}} the more you steer away from the gnarly bunkers and native vegetation on the left the shallower the green will play on your approach and the more threatening the front-center coffin bunker will become Green shaped by Parker Anderson with Brian Schneider {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-005}} the par-4 fifth hole works left and uphill to a ridge-top green A bank short left of the green can be used as a feeder from the outside of the dogleg a sideways tier divides the putting surface into high and low halves {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-006}} This long par 4 features eventful topography throughout The fairway travels up and over an undulating rise and the green sits on the other side of Gas Line Valley A native-covered mound in the middle of the fairway defines two options: right of the mound provides a shorter approach; left of it gives a less obstructed angle into the green Green shaped by Brian Schneider with Blake Conant {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-007}} This relatively tame par 3 plays back across the gas line to a green with back-to-front slope and restrained internal contouring {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-008}} Players will generally end up in the gullies left or right of the gigantic mining mounds running down the center of the fairway while the right valley—which can be accessed only by carrying the “Matterhorn,” the biggest of the sand piles—offers a view into the dell where the multitiered green sits The back-left pin is hard to get to from anywhere on the hole {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-009}} playing across a marshy swath of one of the property’s central lakes then over the crest of a hill to a lay-of-the-land green initiates a new phase of the routing—a five-hole stretch characterized by broad slopes {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-010}} The hilltop tee on this long par 5 offers perhaps the most sweeping view at Pinehurst Resort big hitters may be able to clear the cross bunkers cut into a rise 100 yards short of the green most players will need to lay up into the basin short of those bunkers where they will have an obscured view of the left-to-right-canted putting surface Green shaped by Tom Doak with Angela Moser {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-011}} with the approach and green both tilted right to left and set on a right-to-left diagonal invites a running shot that feeds in from the right The simple green is made visually exciting by surrounding bunkers {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-012}} A slight breather in a sequence of hard holes the par-5 12th becomes reachable for longer players who make the carry over the long raised portion of the diagonal waste area on the right The green manages the back-to-front tilt of its setting with artfully sculpted rolls {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-013}} Any gains in relation to par that you make on the gettable 12th you will likely give back on the brutal (and somewhat charmless) 13th Perhaps it’s best to think of the two holes as a combined par 9 rather than as a 5 and a 4 {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-014}} This long and tough—but fun—par 3 swoops downhill to an amphitheater green bringing the routing back to the topographically busy section of the site last seen on the eighth hole but the swales and humps short left of the green will penalize those who go straight at the pin and come up short {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-015}} The diagonal orientation of the water hazard creates a mildly stimulating risk-reward dilemma on the tee shot and the kicker left of the green allows for an entertaining alternate route to back pins the green’s wavy internal contours seem to be trying too hard to alleviate the hole’s overall feeling of conventionality {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-016}} The counterintuitive backwards walk from 15 to 16 is the sole dissonance in Pinehurst No But it’s not hard to see why Doak wanted to push the 16th tee back: hitting a long club into the infinity green with its at-grade entrance and drop-offs left and behind {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-017}} Pinehurst’s answer to Alister MacKenzie’s Sitwell green features numerous spine-tingling pin positions including a front-right ass-kicker hovering just above the water {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-018}} to one of my favorite greens on the course I particularly like the parallel spines running into the opening of the green especially those hit from the hard-to-access left side of the fairway {{content-block-course-profile-pinehurst-no-10-019}} All Things Pinehurst No. 10 with Architect Angela MoserAll Things Pinehurst No. 10 with Architect Angela MoserAll Things Pinehurst No Your express stop for the latest Sound Transit news a new transit project is taking shape.  Pinehurst Station (recently renamed from NE 130th St Infill Station) is more than just a stop on Sound Transit’s Link 1 Line—it’s a symbol of progress and community connectivity.  The station is strategically placed between the stations at Northgate and Shoreline South/148th filling a gap in the transit network and providing a needed link for neighborhoods like Pinehurst Sound Transit takes advantage of lower ridership months in the winter to prepare for future system expansion like this station and the extension of the 2 Line across Lake Washington.  Unfortunately, this work does cause service disruptions. You can sign up for service alerts to stay up to date, or check our website for more information The idea for the new station was born out of Sound Transit’s vision for a fully integrated While the initial expansion plans for the 1 Line focused on connecting major hubs advocates recognized the need for new stations along the existing alignment to serve Seattle’s growing and diverse population In 2016, voters approved a transit system expansion that included three infill stations on the current 1 Line. (The other two are the Graham Street and Boeing Access Road stations).  Pinehurst Station is scheduled to open in 2026. With the opening of the Lynnwood Link Extension this past summer we recognized an opportunity to accelerate the station design and minimize the service impacts while the project is being built.  If you’ve ridden Link up past Northgate recently as trains are running daily through the construction zone.  “It can be challenging,” said Sound Transit Construction Manager Linda Morud and it has to be done in little pieces of work.” Morud has worked on many Sound Transit projects over the years from the Sounder S Line to the downtown tunnel retrofit to the Northgate and Lynnwood Link Extensions.  This one poses an interesting challenge as Sound Transit’s first-ever infill station It requires a lot of coordination with teams across the agency from Operations to Passenger Experience to Community Engagement.  and transit advocates played a pivotal role in making the vision for the new station a reality.  The project also aligns with Seattle’s broader growth and development goals including the city’s push for more transit-oriented development.  sustainable communities that reduce reliance on cars.  The station design reflects the unique identity of the surrounding neighborhood incorporating modern design and pride in nearby natural resources of Thornton Creek and native landscaping are included in the design.  The station will also feature art by Romson Bustillo who was born on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines His layered works and immersive collaborations go back to his Philippine lineage his South Seattle/Pacific Northwest upbringing and numerous research travels.   His artwork will be translated into richly colored porcelain enamel panels that wrap around the entrances and into both north and south lobbies.  will also house a 100-foot-long mural featuring his visual-language inspired by the neighborhood Pinehurst Station will offer a range of features designed to serve the community: Accessibility: From elevators and escalators to tactile wayfinding paths to a new dedicated drop-off for paratransit vehicles the station is being built with accessibility at its core and will serve all passengers Sustainability: Transit is sustainable, but this station goes above and beyond with features like a creative stormwater bioretention feature and LED lighting.  Construction activity in the Pinehurst area will increase in the next few months you’ll likely see a crane from I-5 near the station as we construct the stairwells from the street level to the elevated platform.  Come April, there will be periodic ramp closures at the NE 130th St freeway exit, as well as a long-term eastbound closure at NE 130th. Sign up for our email alerts for more information about timing and detours Sound Transit will host provide updates to keep residents informed and excited Stay tuned for updates and join us in marking this exciting milestone in our region’s transit journey Back to The Platform   Trotter Drive bisects the four parcels in the Trotter Hills development proposal Bob Koontz of Koontz Jones Design walks the Pinehurst Planning and Zoning Board through the newly refined Trotter Hills general concept plan numerous meetings with Pinehurst staff and a re-tooled general concept plan Mike Etowski and his proposed Trotter Hills development received a nod of approval from the village’s Planning and Zoning Board earlier this week Etowski will now have the opportunity to present his refined plan to the Village Council hoping to receive a conditional district zoning approval for the Pinehurst South Form-Based District is the current litmus test for the… A recently nixed residential development along Trotter Hills Drive in the “Pinehurst South” … A recent Pinehurst Planning and Zoning Board meeting took an unfavorable turn for Mike Etows… Bryson DeChambeau returned to Pinehurst No 2 in North Carolina on Monday for the first time since his U.S DeChambeau hit a stellar bunker shot to a couple feet before knocking in the par putt to secure his second U.S His bunker shot has become one of the best memories in the history of the U.S Pinehurst and the USGA made sure its significance will always be remembered Only a day after struggling in the final round of the 2025 Masters DeChambeau put his Augusta National shortcomings behind him and was back at No 2 for a ceremony celebrating him and his achievement last summer The two-time major champion spoke to Pinehurst members and local media reminiscing on his performance that June weekend before the USGA and Pinehurst dedicated a plaque in remembrance of his 55-yard bunker shot DeChambeau had the honor of putting the plaque in the ground DeChambeau got emotional when speaking during the ceremony "It's important to celebrate the moments where you win It's really cool being able to come back from losing the Masters to remembering one of the most important rounds of my life." DeChambeau went outside and inserted the plaque in the ground next to the greenside bunker on No then he stepped inside the sand and hit a few shots though he couldn't quite recreate the incredible sand save he had to win his second U.S when LIV Golf heads to Club de Chapultepec for LIV Golf Mexico City Riding the rails from metropolitan centers along the eastern seaboard, they disembarked at a newly built terminal in Southern Pines, N.C., where horse-drawn carriages awaited to take them one town over to their final stop: Pinehurst trains still rumble into that same terminal But the carriages have given way to shuttles and the Pinehurst area has evolved from a sleepy getaway for golf and wellness into one of the game’s marquee global draws a brawny Tom Doak-and-Angela-Moser creation part of which rollicks over the humps and bumps of dormant mining land For all the recognition it receives for golf, the Pinehurst area gets relatively scant attention for the quality and eclecticism of its cuisine. Sushi. Tacos. Yakitori. Cacciatore. A composite sketch of the local restaurant scene belies the golf-world’s reputation for subsisting on little more than burgers, dogs and beer. We stopped at BHAWK in the early afternoon, and by the time we left, humbled by our conversations with Brad and Jess, and wowed by the bourbon and whiskey flights they poured, there was just enough daylight to squeeze in one last visit to a course.  As a farewell to the fairways of the Pinehurst area, we picked a fitting candidate in Southern Pines Golf Club, another star in a local constellation of Ross designs. For years, though, its glitter had gone largely unnoticed by outsiders until a 2021 restoration by the architect Kyle Franz that brought muted Ross features back to the fore.  On the way back to our condo, we cut through downtown Southern Pines. A train was rumbling slowly toward the terminal. The sight and sound of it — relics of what seem now like a simpler time — made me want to linger longer. There was more to do and see, and a lot more golf to play. But early the next morning, I had a plane to catch. A golf, food and travel writer, Josh Sens has been a GOLF Magazine contributor since 2004 and now contributes across all of GOLF’s platforms. His work has been anthologized in The Best American Sportswriting. He is also the co-author, with Sammy Hagar, of Are We Having Any Fun Yet: the Cooking and Partying Handbook. INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE! © 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary. backbackCoursesCoursesCoursesArchitectureArchitectureArchitectureNo items found.Members only00ShareShareApril 21 20253 min readCoore & Crenshaw Set to Design Pinehurst No 11The addition to the Sandmines outpost will be the legendary firm’s first original design for Pinehurst Resort Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have compiled one of the most impressive portfolios in the history of golf architecture contributed an original design to the “Cradle of American Golf,” Pinehurst Resort Today, Pinehurst Resort announced that Coore & Crenshaw will build Pinehurst No. 11 on a property adjacent to Tom Doak’s recently completed No. 10 course 11 will complete the golf offering at Pinehurst Sandmines a satellite facility that will eventually feature its own clubhouse Coore & Crenshaw will begin construction later this year and the course is expected to open in fall 2027 Located three miles south of the Village of Pinehurst 11’s land boasts a mixture of manmade and natural elements Large piles of sand — spoils from a sand-mining operation that closed in the 1930s — are strewn throughout the property just because of its inherent character,” Coore said in a press release from the resort It’s not too often that you get that kind of combination The use of mining artifacts as golf features will ring familiar to those who have played Pinehurst No The par-4 eighth hole on Doak’s course plays directly over a series of 20-foot-high sand piles broad slopes and offers the occasional long vista its topography choppier and more idiosyncratic “[There is] not as much elevation change [as No “but it’s so quirky with the ridges and the piles and the trees and the angles While Coore & Crenshaw have never previously designed a new course for Pinehurst Resort, the firm has played a prominent role in the resort’s recent history. In 2011, Coore & Crenshaw completed a restoration of Pinehurst No. 2, a Donald Ross masterpiece that has hosted four U.S. Opens, including last year’s memorable edition Bill Coore also has a personal connection to the area. He grew up in Anderson, North Carolina, about 85 miles north of Pinehurst. “When I was in high school,” Coore told Fried Egg Golf last year and if somebody had a car and somehow we could pool enough money together to buy the gas and then drive back at night.” Coore credits the No 2 course for prompting his golf-architectural awakening “It gradually crept into my understanding that at No it allowed you to play your game,” he said “It didn’t dictate that you had to hit the ball a massive yardage down the fairway and hit a lofted club onto the green in the air It would give you that option if that’s what you chose but it would also give you the option to play shots that could run onto the green.” 11 commission represents a homecoming — a late-career opportunity to leave his mark on the golfing mecca that helped shape him Want to keep up with what’s going on in the golf course industry? Sign up for Club TFE now to receive Design Notebook a monthly golf architecture newsletter featuring information and analysis that you won’t find anywhere else Tomorrow’s edition will offer additional perspective on the Pinehurst No ShareShareCoursesCoursesCoursesArchitectureArchitectureArchitectureNo items found.About the authorGarrett MorrisonWhen I was 10 or 11 years old A new chapter for Pinehurst Resort is set to begin as construction on Pinehurst No. 11, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw is scheduled to start later this year at the Sandmines property in Aberdeen The course is expected to open for play in fall 2027 adding to the resort’s growing reputation as a leader in American golf a 900-acre tract five miles south of Pinehurst’s main campus was once used for sand mining in the 1930s This industrial past has left behind a landscape marked by spoil piles providing a distinctive canvas for Coore and Crenshaw’s design known for their philosophy of letting the land dictate the course ridgy ground” as an opportunity to create a layout that is intimate quirky and reminiscent of classic links in Ireland or Scotland — despite its inland location Pinehurst No. 11 will neighbor Tom Doak’s Pinehurst No. 10 which opened in 2024 and quickly earned accolades including a top-15 debut in North Carolina’s golf course rankings and recognition as “Best New Course” by Golf Digest 10 is celebrated for dramatic elevation changes and expansive vistas with dramatic landforms and a focus on playability through natural contours Pinehurst Resort president Tom Pashley notes that the two courses “complement each other so well by contrasting so much,” highlighting the evolving diversity of the Sandhills golf experience The expansion at Pinehurst Sandmines comes amid a broader renaissance for the resort which has recently renovated several courses and facilities and welcomed the USGA’s new headquarters on site The Sandmines area will soon feature a new 6,000-square-foot clubhouse further enhancing Pinehurst’s appeal the largest golf resort in the U.S. This growth not only cements Pinehurst’s status as a premier golf destination but also sets a benchmark for competitors in the resort golf industry As Pinehurst continues to shape the future of American golf, the addition of No. 11 reflects a commitment to innovative design and the preservation of unique landscapes Stakeholders from golfers to industry observers will be watching closely as Coore and Crenshaw bring their vision to life at Sandmines — a project that promises to add another chapter to Pinehurst’s storied legacy Carolina GCSA honors Pinehurst’s Bob Farren with Distinguished Service Award Green Start Academy returns to Pinehurst for fourth straight year subscribe to Golfdom to receive more articles just like it XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong> Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here share-facebookshare-xshare-whatsappshare-copy-linkFresh off major heartbreak at the Masters Bryson DeChambeau was honored at the site of his most recent major triumph While he came up short to McIlroy on Sunday at Augusta National Golf Club, it was DeChambeau who came out on top the last time the two superstars dueled down the stretch at a major championship – Thanks in large part to a bunker shot that the Crushers GC captain calls the “shot of his life.” that 55-yard shot out of the sand on the 18th hole at Pinehurst No 2 will forever be remembered with a plaque in front of the bunker where it all went down on the 72nd hole of the 2024 U.S The Crushers GC captain made sure to be there for the occassion giving a speech and even trying to re-create the shot for fans in attendance Today, a day after The Masters, Bryson DeChambeau visited Pinehurst to commemorate his brilliant 2024 @usopengolf victory, and place a plaque to mark the spot of his dramatic bunker shot, which @brysondech recreated as much of the Village of Pinehurst looked on. pic.twitter.com/XEOIZeLSiN Bryson's clutch bunker shot forever immortalized at Pinehurst No. 2. pic.twitter.com/UEhi8TXRhV We put a microphone on Bryson as we welcomed him back to Pinehurst.Go all access with our 2024 U.S. Open champ. pic.twitter.com/mo0A23kBF3 DeChambeau will tee it up next April 25th-27th at LIV Golf Mexico City and is set to defend his U.S Open title June 12th-15th at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont Volunteer © 2022 - 2025 LIV Golf Inc and LIV Golf Ltd What the challenges underfoot at Pinehurst No.2 Much of the US Open build-up had focused on the unique landscape of Pinehurst and how it posed a very different threat to a typical US Open setup so naturally I was pretty excited to get out there and see what all the fuss was about Before even stepping foot on the course I attended the pre-tournament player press conferences where the phrase of the day appeared to be ‘boring golf’ knowing when to leave the driver in the bag It certainly didn’t sound boring to me. It sounded strategic and was summed up perfectly by Tiger Woods who described patience and discipline as being the key to success in this week’s “war of attrition” The trouble is we’ve been conditioned into thinking that more birdies equals more exciting golf. And while seeing record-breaking scoring as we did in Valhalla for the PGA Championship is box office stuff so too is the jeopardy of simply needing to make a par when it matters So how has Pinehurst No.2 changed since Martin Kaymer’s runaway eight-stroke victory in 2014 “We narrowed the 13th fairway 10 to 12 yards It’s basically the same Pinehurst that you saw in 2014 “Our setup strategy is not very complicated We want the players to get every club in their bag dirty We endeavor to create firm and fast conditions because we believe the world’s best players can control their golf ball not only in the air but once it hits the ground and think about where to miss it not just where to hit it.” quickly regretting I hadn’t taken any fluids with me in the 32-degree North Carolinian heat to explore the Donald Ross masterpiece The first and most obvious thing to point out is there is no rough Any ball that runs off the pristine fairways will find its way into vast islands of sandhills interspersed with thick tufts of wiregrass The beauty of these traps is the uncertainty that awaits players as they walk anxiously from the tee box to the ‘native area’ where their ball has come to rest Donald Ross describes them as the ‘perfect rough.’ You might get a perfectly playable sandy lie or maybe something gnarly that requires you to take your medicine It all adds to the drama and will undoubtedly have a huge say in deciding any future champion around No.2 or particularly threatening fairway bunkers you don’t have the luxury here of guaranteeing a nice fluffy lie for your approach if your ball runs off the fairway by a few yards And although the fairways are typically wider than the PGA Tour average the strip of carpet ahead doesn’t feel particularly generous Luckily the pine trees are set back far enough to not cause too much concern…for the pros at least The fairways have been cut slightly longer this year and asking players to hit a slightly longer club up to the notorious cereal bowl putting greens What you may not see on television is how raised many of the greens are requiring players and caddies to be absolutely on the money with their yardages particularly with the greens being so hard to hit in the first place you might see them bump-and-run it a little bit Those are the choices we want to give them We want to see their creativity and their talents.” 70 percent of the field found the fairway off the tee It’s why scrambling ability is integral around Pinehurst and players will need to possess a varied short game with imagination and confidence to execute the right shot at the right time I watched several groups during Wednesday’s practice rounds looking dumbfounded at how difficult it was to get the ball close from the incredibly tight lies surrounding the greens It will be the biggest test of the week and I can’t see anyone winning who doesn’t end the week very high up the scrambling leaderboards After sitting for over an hour on the stunning 186-yard par three 9th hole The ideal landing area is so shallow that players ordinarily rewarded with a 10-15 foot putt for birdie often saw their ball roll one too many revolutions and snowball down to the pine needles behind the green The margins are unbelievably fine between perfect and punishment I’m 50/50 as to whether I would break par if I started every hole on the green they will only get quicker as the week goes on Even Tiger described them as “very severe” Perhaps the eighth hole strikes me as the most severe of the lot Pinehurst is revered as one of America’s greatest venues a “cathedral of the game” as Bodenhamer eloquently puts it And it’s an analogy that makes more and more sense with every step I take on the pine-ridden tracks The ghosts of the past matter at venues like this as the tournament celebrates the 25th anniversary of the late Payne Stewart’s win in 1999 at the age of 42 We fit here at Pinehurst because it’s about golf It bleeds through everything that’s here.” and innovation. Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics and Team GB. He is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism enabling him to critically analyze data and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions By Ross Tugwood Bryson DeChambeau gets emotional as he is honored at Pinehurst Golf Resort Monday afternoon Bryson DeChambeau is honored at Pinehurst Golf Resort Monday afternoon Bryson DeChambeau and his caddie Gregory Bodine look at the plaque installed at Pinehurst Monday Bryson DeChambeau tries to replicates his bunker shot from the fairway Monday Bryson DeChambeau looks at his plaque at Pinehurst holding his U.S The crowd around the 18th green on Pinehurst No 2 Monday was smaller than the last time Bryson DeChambeau had his ball land in the bunker in front But emotions were still flowing as fresh as that June afternoon last year when he hoisted the U.S several hundred people circled the 18th green and the bunker made famous by his memorable bunker shot to inside of 3 feet of the final hole Open championship on the famed Pinehurst No returned to the resort and club Monday to cele… 11 with Pinehurst Resort Golf Course Maintenance Manager Kevin Robinson 11 golf course at the old Sandmines site in Aberdeen later this year Players will step onto its greens by fall 2027 The site spans 900 acres where sand used to be mined Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw lead the design work. "It's such a wonderful site, just because of its inherent character," said Coore in a Pinehurst release Mining from the 1930s carved out striking shapes in the earth Time added its touch — trees grew tall among the old Pit Golf Links remains These natural and man-made marks will guide how the course takes shape this new course winds through woods and gentle hills making each hole feel tucked away and private Tom Pashley, president of Pinehurst Resort puts it plainly: "The two courses really couldn't be more different 11 complement each other so well by contrasting so much." with August bringing a new restaurant and bar is looking ahead: "We want Pinehurst Sandmines to be a special place not just in Pinehurst but in the game of golf that will stand the test of time." Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before Moore County Schools appointed Selena McNeil as the principal of Pinehurst Elementary School “With over a decade of dedicated service within Moore County Schools McNeil has a proven track record of enhancing student success and fostering educational excellence,” said the school district in a press release she played a crucial role in elevating the school to an ‘A’ rating demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence and community engagement.” McNeil holds a Master of School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a Bachelor of Science from Western Carolina University Her approach emphasizes creating supportive environments for teachers and students focusing on the importance of building trusting relationships and fostering community collaboration Her extensive experience includes roles as an elementary school teacher assistant principal at Pinehurst Elementary where she significantly contributed to the school’s strategic initiatives and overall success over the past six years “We are fortunate to have one of the best leaders in the state and country serving our students and communities,” said Superintendent Dr “I am confident that Selena will continue our tradition of engaging and inspiring students to excel.” To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news and weekly e-newsletter, please click here. Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker shooting rock quiet village"}}))},2e3);window.dataLayer.push({event:"GAEvent",eventAction:"contentStart",eventCategory:"video",eventLabel:"Ax attack shooting rock quiet village"},{name:"updated",value:"2025-03-19T18:13:49-0400"},{name:"published",value:"2025-03-19T09:12:00-0400"}]}])}),e.on("adend",()=>{e.play()})):console.warn("wralvideo returned undefined")}else console.warn("wralvideo has not been loaded yet")},window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",window.initHeroVideo)Local NewsAx attack shooting rock quiet villageA man with an ax was shot and killed Wednesday by Pinehurst police officers at the scene of a house fire Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields announced that Moore County sheriff’s investigators assisted the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) in Maryland in the arrest of 82-year-old Rodger Zodas Brown a resident of the Pinehurst Trace community in Pinehurst Brown was taken into custody at his home on March 11 following an extensive investigation conducted by PGPD’s Cold Case Unit Brown has been charged in connection with the 1979 murder of 31-year-old Kathryn Donohue of Arlington Donohue’s body was discovered in a parking lot in Glenarden Despite an extensive investigation at the time the case remained unsolved for more than four decades in collaboration with the FBI Baltimore Field Office utilized forensic genetic genealogy DNA analysis to identify a relative of the unknown suspect Further investigation led to Brown’s identification as the suspect With assistance from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI Charlotte Field Office authorities arrested Brown at his Pinehurst home last week He remains in North Carolina pending extradition to Prince George’s County To watch the Prince George’s County Police Department press conference announcing Brown’s arrest and providing details on the decades-long investigation, please click on link: https://www.facebook.com/PGPD1/videos/666319679307711 Feature photo: Kathryn Donohue/Photo provided by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news and weekly e-newsletter, please click here Pinehurst Police and investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation are currently on the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Pinehurst The normal morning serenity of Pinehurst’s Village Acres neighborhood was broken Wednesday after police responding to calls of a suspicious person shot and killed a man who police say charged at them with a weapon Pinehurst Police Deputy Chief Ken Hall said officers responded around 7:15 a.m Wednesday to a report of a suspicious male at 11 Remington Lane Officers initially were unable to locate the individual but noticed smoke and fire coming from the residence Pinehurst Resort announced Monday plans for their latest course which will be designed by the duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw On Monday, the resort announced the plans for Pinehurst No. 11, designed by the acclaimed duo Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The new course will be built alongside Tom Doak’s Pinehurst No. 10 which opened a year ago on a 900-acre site that was formerly mined for sand Coore and Crenshaw previously worked at Pinehurst Resort during their restoration of the No. 2 course ahead of the 2014 U.S 11 is set to begin at Pinehurst Sandmines later this year with a target opening date slated for fall 2027 Introducing Pinehurst No. 11, by Coore & Crenshaw.Coming Fall 2027. pic.twitter.com/57JX73lABM While No. 10 is known for its wide fairways and stunning vistas, No, 11 will offer a more intimate experience, with unique shape and style. “The two courses really couldn’t be more different, and we love that,” said Tom Pashley, president of Pinehurst Resort. “The designs of No. 10 and No. 11 complement each other so well by contrasting so much. Golf in the North Carolina Sandhills can be an experience unlike any other, and we believe the golf at Pinehurst Sandmines will be a great representation of that.” This new course continues the transformation of the Pinehurst Sandmines property. Alongside No. 11, a new pro shop, restaurant and bar are set to open in 2025, with lodging to follow by 2027. “We want Pinehurst Sandmines to be a special place not just in Pinehurst, but in the game of golf that will stand the test of time and enhance the soul of American golf,” says Bob Dedman Jr., owner and CEO of Pinehurst Resort. “The vision Coore & Crenshaw have for No. 11 coupled with what Tom Doak has already done at No. 10 makes that hope more of a possibility, and we couldn’t be more excited about what the future has in store.” Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com. 2 course"}}))},2e3);window.dataLayer.push({event:"GAEvent",eventAction:"contentStart",eventCategory:"video",eventLabel:"Sun rises over snow-coated Pinehurst No 2 course",eventValue:"HTML Video",id:"21751026",section:"Weather",updated:"2024-12-03T12:13:31-0500",published:"2024-12-03T07:01:00-0500",contributors:[]}),window?.testify&&window.testify([{sensor:"content-start",dimensions:[{name:"user",value:userNonce},{name:"url",value:document.location.toString()}],measures:[{name:"id",value:"21751026"},{name:"title",value:"Sun rises over snow-coated Pinehurst No 2 course"},{name:"updated",value:"2024-12-03T12:13:31-0500"},{name:"published",value:"2024-12-03T07:01:00-0500"}]}])}),e.on("adend",()=>{e.play()})):console.warn("wralvideo returned undefined")}else console.warn("wralvideo has not been loaded yet")},window.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",window.initHeroVideo)WeatherSun rises over snow-coated Pinehurst No 2 got a light dusting of snow from Tuesday morning's flurries The Pinehurst Village Council has officially approved a rezoning request that paves the way for a new residential development on Trotter Drive will bring 48 single-family detached cottages to an 8.04-acre parcel near N.C The decision follows a months-long process involving multiple public hearings and design modifications to address concerns raised by the Council the developer’s initial proposal included a mixed-residential neighborhood with 65 units—31 detached cottages and 34 townhomes this first draft was met with concerns over design deviations Red Pine Investments spent two years revising the plan eliminating townhomes and adjusting the design to better align with Pinehurst’s zoning guidelines which was reviewed again at the beginning of March now plans for exclusively single-family detached cottages with a lower overall density of six units per acre—below the maximum allowable seven per acre The new layout incorporates rear-loaded homes accessed via private alleys aligning with the Pinehurst South Small Area Plan’s vision for walkability and aesthetic consistency The new plan for the subdivision focuses on open space with approximately 25% of the development dedicated to green areas These spaces will include pedestrian walkways lending themselves well to a walkable environment for residents “We have refined our initial plan numerous times and incorporated the feedback from this Council and public utilities,” explained a representative of the Trotter Drive project “We are here tonight to present to you a site plan that conforms with this feedback and meets the regulations of these underlining planning documents that the Village took so much pride and care in creating We believe we are presenting you with the vision we all seek for Pinehurst South.” locals voiced concerns over a possible influx of traffic in the area The developers explained that preexisting stoplights will help control the flow of traffic and prevent issues with merging or congestion and that there would be no significant impacts on traffic including 96 garage spaces—two per home—along with 52 additional on-street spaces and parking near the community park This meets and exceeds the Village’s parking requirements Pinehurst realtor Martha Gentry was among the speakers Gentry provided handouts regarding the current state of the housing market in Pinehurst She noted that while interest rates have influenced buying trends demand for homes in Pinehurst remains strong leading to extremely competitive pricing and higher interest rates the addition of new homes will help alleviate the strain on the market the Planning and Zoning Board unanimously recommended approval stating that the proposal now aligns with the Pinehurst South Form-Based Code and broader development goals The Board’s official recommendation read: “Achieving goals in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and other adopted plans of the Village is considered reasonable and in the best interest of the public.” the 2019 Village of Pinehurst Comprehensive Plan was referenced specifically the passage stating the Village aims to “seek opportunities to offer a variety of housing types that appeal to a wide range of households and enable residents to live in Pinehurst throughout all stages of life.” After much discussion and ensuring that the developers would continue to work with the Village and proceed with the best interest of Pinehurst in mind the Village Council concurred and officially approved the rezoning “Change is inevitable,” said Pinehurst Mayor Patrick Pizzella “but growth can be managed and controlled by the elected representatives the appointed advisor committee—that is what government is about That’s what’s happened for the last nineteen months or so that this project has come along.” ~Written by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021 View of the Pinehurst Resort & Country Club clubhouse from the 18th hole of Course No Pinehurst Resort and Country Club recently announced a series of changes to its senior leadership team as the business looks toward anticipated growth resort President Tom Pashley’s team oversaw: