Fall Renewal in North Carolina’s Sandhills
By Brad King
This fall, there is a sense of rebirth around the Home of American Golf.
At Southern Pines Golf Club, the classic Donald Ross hidden gem is one of the oldest golf courses in North Carolina’s Sandhills region of Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen. Southern Pines GC just unveiled an 18-month renovation improvement project headed by architect Kyle Franz — who comes full circle reimagining a variety of Ross designs, following his previous award-winning work at Pinehurst No. 2, Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club and Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club.
Franz says the golf course will evoke the feel of a Ross original, staying true to the well-preserved routing while removing elements that have been added through the years. More than 700 trees have been removed, accentuating dramatic vistas throughout the property. The Ross greens have been revamped and the bunkers restored. Franz also uncovered Ross’s “Lost Hole” — not part of the routing — while researching historic materials prior to the restoration. “Much of the property is transformed,” said Franz. “You really get a good sense for Ross’s golf course and where we’re going with everything.”
Meanwhile, the United States Golf Association (USGA) is establishing a second home in Pinehurst. “Golf House Pinehurst” will be the site of the USGA’s equipment research and testing center, and turfgrass agronomy and management offices, as well as a museum and welcome center — all of which will be accessible to the public. The USGA tabbed the resort’s No. 2 Course at its first U.S Open anchor site, with five championships scheduled through 2047. Plans for a new, 64,000-square-foot, 34-room Lodge at Pinehurst hotel on Pinehurst Resort’s campus overlooking The Cradle par 3 short course and the Thistle Dhu 18-hole putting course include meeting spaces, locker rooms, a fitness center and bar.
Following the completion of the recent thrilling 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur at the Country Club of North Carolina’s Dogwood & Cardinal courses, the Sandhills will continue a great run as host site for several more prestigious events. Just around the corner is the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles and the 2023 ACC Men’s Golf Championship at CCNC’s Dogwood Course. The big-time events will be culminated by the fourth U.S. Open Championship, on Pinehurst No. 2, in June of 2024.
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw completed a restoration of Pinehurst No. 2 in 2011 that brought back many of the design characteristics from Donald Ross’ own 1935 renovation. The Granddaddy of American Golf opened in 1907 and as golf lovers know has hosted dozens of major tournaments over the decades.
History was made during the summer of 2019, when the recently redesigned Pinehurst No. 4, along with No. 2, served as the site of the 36-hole match-play final of the 119th U.S. Amateur Championship. Architect Gil Hanse and his design partner Jim Wagner’s version of No. 4 that debuted in 2018 is nearly unrecognizable from its predecessors. Pinehurst No. 8 opened in 1996 to commemorate Pinehurst’s centennial year. Architect Tom Fazio incorporated signature Ross features into the design, including dips and swales around the greens, sloping greens and false fronts.
Pine Needles is another legendary Ross masterpiece, already having served as the site of three U.S. Women’s Open Championships, the 2019 U.S. Senior Women’s Open and the upcoming 2022 U.S. Women’s Open. To play at Pine Needles — and, of course, its sister course across Midland Road, Mid Pines — is to live and breathe Donald Ross golf. Mid Pines was impeccably restored by Franz in 2013. The renovation was honored with GOLF Magazine’s Best U.S. Resort Renovation and Restoration of the Year.
The Village of Pinehurst Area Chapter of the National Golf Course Owners Association named the New Course at Talamore its “Course of the Year 2018.” The prestigious award came after a major restoration. Talamore’s partner property, the Arnold Palmer-designed Mid South Club, also underwent a similar golf course restoration and greens conversion along with numerous other club enhancements. Both have also risen in state rankings since then.
And, of course, Tobacco Road Golf Club in Sanford has changed the face of Pinehurst-area golf ever since architect Mike Strantz’s masterpiece debuted in 1998. If you are planning a trip to the region, booking a round at Tobacco Road is something you need to seriously consider.
And there are plenty more outstanding, if lesser known, layouts in the area that are especially enjoyable during autumn’s picturesque appeal.
Legacy Golf Links in Aberdeen is a memorable Jack Nicklaus II Design, with more than 7,000 yards picturesquely routed around five lakes and renovated in 2012. Legacy’s Mini Verde greens are immaculate and its collection of par 3s are regarded among the area’s best. The challenging variety of holes, wide fairways and strategic use of water hazards make Legacy a true championship test — one of the few courses in the region to play host to a USGA National Championship.
Deercroft Golf Club in Wagram is worth the drive. Franz has also helped keep Deercroft scenic and challenging, yet fair without being tricked up. Come experience “the best-kept secret in the Sandhills,” according to Golf Digest.
Longleaf Golf & Family Club has been touted as “The Most Playable Course in Pinehurst” by Golf Digest. Designed by Sandhills native Dan Maples, Longleaf’s front nine is more links style with the back more tree lined with nice elevation changes. Be sure to check out their six-hole, par-3 short course, “Bottlebrush.” Owned by U.S. Kids Golf and home to the U.S. Kids Golf Academy, each hole ranges from 50 to 100 yards and is fun for the whole family.
Designed in 1976 by Peter Tufts III, godson of Ross, 7 Lakes Country Club in West End has a history and heritage of excellence in course design. This classic design delivers a spectacular golf course emphasizing the traditional and classic design elements that present a true Sandhills experience.
Fall golf in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area is hard to beat. This year, during an ongoing season of rebirth, the region treasures its past, while focusing on an exciting future.
Fall packages and latest news at www.HomeofGolf.com
