Pictures from my Pinehurst trip

[Ben]

WOW WOW WOW WOW! What a freakin place this is. If you ever had the opportunity to go, GO! As described in the previous thread I made before I went, I was lucky enough to represent my club's team as our pro in the ClubCorp Championship, which is an event with teams from most of ClubCorp's properties (83 teams this year) in a three round event held over four days.

We finally pulled up to The Carolina late Tuesday night, so, Wednesday was a first day of golf. We played a practice round on course 5 in the morning. Not one of the more challenging of the courses in the facility, but quite charming, and quite beautiful.

After our practice round I was lucky enough to get myself on Pinehurst #2, as I'm sure most of you know hosts the US Open, US Amateur, North/South Classic, etc. Played it from the US Open tips. 7335yards, par 70 rated to 76.0/137. Shot 8 over. Happy with most of my play, but feel I could have done a bit better. But, for my first time around, I'll live with that. The course is just visually intimidating off the tee, I wouldn't say the tee shots are blind, as its relatively flat on #2, but its subtle hills hide the landing areas quite well. I was paired with a member so he was able to guide me a bit. The famous crowned greens, I'd have to say were formidable, but still manageable. Mind you the greens weren't US Open lightning, however the US AM was played just days prior. The #1 handicap hole bit me pretty hard. A 476y par4 slight dogleg left. I hit a weak drive and left myself about 215 out in some thick rough. Found myself on the wrong side of probably the most pronounced drop-off to the crowned greens and took a bunch of shots from there to get up and down. But, that was my only double on the day.

Course #8. What can I say, a masterpiece of a golf course. Far and away the most beautiful course I've ever been on or played. I've never been to Augusta National, but I'd have to imagine that it looks very similar. Rolling hills, huge pines, grass as green as could be, white bunkers, very pleasing to the eye. Unfortunately I only got to play this course as part of the team scramble. We had an extra day to play on Saturday and I intended on getting out, but, got hammered Friday night. Could have got out, but had a meeting to be at in the evening, along with dinner and the awards, so, I had to pass...

That's enough with the talk, here's the pics.

First page is from Friday night's activities. The course pics are on the next 6 pages...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30542483@N06/

[Big_M]

cool pics... I was there watching the amatuer on semi-final day. I just moved to Concord (near Charlotte), so I'm only about 1hr 45 mins away from Pinehurst... haven't played any of their courses.... but have played a few others in that area including Pine Needles (Women's US open of 07'). The area really is an amazing golf area... there are soooo many nice courses to choose from and I can't wait until I suck it up and pay for a few rounds at Pinehurst itself.

Had you ever played a Donald Ross course before? The greens at Pine Needles and Pinehurst 2 really are "different" and can cause some serious problems... I found out pretty quick that it was usually better to be short than long. My wife hit one putt that would probably have run 3-4 feet by on a flat green, but ended up rolling off the green and down into a collection area a good twenty feet below the hole... she was pissed, but it was funny as hell.

[Ben]

No, first time on a Ross design. It was scary! But that's how I like my golf. A kick in the face.

I had a similar experience to your wife on the 224 yard par 3 6th. Severe false-front and the wind was in my face so I hit a nice smooth 2 hybrid that I absolutely NUKED to the back of the green, and I mean the very back. The pin was in the front and just at the top of the ridge where the drop off to the false-front starts. Well, I found myself chipping for par from about 15 yards. hahahaha. Made my bogey putt though.

[Soup Fan]

I just repped you for the great pics but added my real name instead of my messageboard handle.

I need to go to bed.

Great pics.

[dave s]

Ben,

thanks for writing about the experience and posting the pics. My wife and I are planning a trip to NC to take advantage of the fall golf rates and beautiful courses. After seeing the pics, I'll have to accelerate the planning process tonight!

Had to laugh at the scramble pics ... especially the one where the shot from a bunker was chosen! Sounds like my scramble team!!!

dave

[underparnv]

That's how I like my golf. A kick in the face.

My new quote for my signature

Great pics Ben! I may get to go down there next year and play for free as well since my bosses brother has a house on one of the courses and a condo on another.

[Ben]

Ben,

As you can see you will not regret a trip there. I would highly recommend getting on #8 at all costs.

And in my team's defense. We were in a bunker, but, that was our third shot on par5, and Bob pulled through and set up a 3 footer for birdie from there. One of the few highlights... upNV. Take advantage while you can!

[Craig Mac]

Great pics!! Looks like you had fun!

[flap]

The Mrs went to the golf school there and I agree that the back side of #5 is the pretiest 9 in the whole complex.#7 is also a great course.How much did you lose on the all night practice green next to the main hotel?There was BIG money changing hands when we were there

[tonyy]

Awesome pics Ben! That course is beautiful most definitely. I'm hoping to get to NC to play a few rounds next fall.

[Diceman]

Wher is that Darling Bar located? Going down in 2 weeks to play 4 & 8 havent been there since highschool im 43

[misty_mountainhop]

VERY jealous. Pinehurst has always been a dream of mine (along with Augusta and Cypress Point; big dreams in these two cases!) if I ever get to play in the U.S. My dad made a non-playing visit ~6 years ago (so at least I have a Pinehurst shirt!) and said the whole place was fantastic. I'd love to stop there a week or two and play the whole lot; #8 does look nice.

[flap]

About 10 years ago I put the Mrs and I in the Don Padget golf school at Pinehurst for a week and played all of the courses {at that time there were only 7}But played #2 with a caddy named Haircut who read the greens like he built them.Lost a little money on the practice green behind the main hotel which was lit at night till midnight and had all kinds of betting going on till they turned out the lights.Maniac hill is some kind of driving range aint it?The school is at the other end we hit at each other all day.The back nine of #5 was the pretiest 9 holes in the whole place IMO.

[Ben]

I'm a lucky dog. I get to go back to Pinehurst for this same event! I'll be there from the 8th to 13th of September. YAY me!

[RCF]

I've been there many times and I guess it's obvious that it's my favorite vacation spot. North Carolina is a great state.

[Ben]

I've been there many times and I guess it's obvious that it's my favorite vacation spot. North Carolina is a great state.

It is a great state. Just the drive from RDU Airport to Pinehurst is picturesque. Then you pull in and onto Carolina Vista Road and stare down The Carolina and you know you've arrived.

Pulled into the resort about 3 hours ago. Loving it already. Beautiful summer night, the grasshoppers and cicada are chirping, I've got three Blue Moons and a Rib Eye steak in my belly. Four days of golf waiting for me tomorrow morning. Course 8, then 5, 8 again, and lastly 2! YAY PINEHURST!

[Big_M]

I'll see you tomorrow... I'm only an hour and a half away and I'm sure you can fit me in somewhere when you guys play #2. Seriously though... have a great time and post some more pics...

P.S. you really should sneak over to Pine Needles to play a round if you've never played it... it is the BEST Ross course, it only lacks the history of #2.