Pinehurst #2 Restoration

[iacas]

[mvmac]

Nice Q&A; with the architects on the restoration, how it's evolved and where it's headed, including news of a new practice area on the No. 1 course's old 18th green . It will be a key practice area for players at the 2014 U.S. Opens.

[iacas]

What about part three of three? :)

[saevel25]

Just to bump this thread again,

http://www.pinehurst.com/news/science-lesson-pinehurst-2/

http://science.unctv.org/content/greening-golf-course

[DaveP043]

Thanks, Saevel, for bumping this post.  I had played #2 a few times in the past, and got to play it again in October 2013, after the renovations had been essentially completed.  Based on my experience, I expected the pros to be really frustrated with the unpredictability of the non-fairway areas.  At the 2005 US Open, the wiry bermuda rough made pretty much any shot from it nearly impossible to control, but it was consistently impossible.  Now, the waste areas left some very easy (for a pro) shots off hard-pan lies, with other shots completely impossible due to wire-grass and creeping vines.

I got to serve as a Marshall for the Men's US Open, and the non-fairways were easier than I expected, since the unusually dry weather leading into the tournament had withered some of the wild vegetation.

I read that Erik loves Pine Needles.  For me, I prefer to play across the street at MidPines.  Its a little shorter than Pine Needles, but to me its more scenic.  There's a little more "terrain", with many of the same Donald Ross design features to frustrate the player.  MidPines has also removed a great deal of the rough, turning it back to waste areas, so the look is somewhat similar to the new #2.  MidPines also has the best terrace for having a beverage and watching other golfers after your own personal torture has ended.

[RolandIvar]

Have you played Winchendon Golf club at the Winchendon School?  holes look and play a lot like Pinehurst #2, based on watching pros play it.  built about the same time...