Pinehurst No. 8 Reopened Following Agronomic Remastering

If you are looking to play some fall golf later in the season than Michigan temperatures allow, maybe look at Pinehurst No. 8 since it reopened in early September following a very unique agronomic-focused refresh. It has gained some wonderful reviews and buzz on Twitter the past month for the not-as-normal approach.

The agronomic and infrastructure enhancements are highlighted by new TifEagle greens, fully restored bunkers with fresh sand, improved drainage throughout the course and the removal of invasive trees limiting views and inhibiting sunlight. The leadership at Pinehurst agreed a total redesign or ‘restoration’ was not needed, the course simply needed to git its ‘edge’ back.
 
Additionally, the existing Bermudagrass turf on tees and fairways was “fraise” mowed to remove thatch throughout the course, tighten up lies and allow more rollout on tee shots. 

“No. 8 now appears crisper to the eye and plays firmer and faster the way Tom Fazio originally intended it,” says Pinehurst Resort Director of Agronomy Bob Farren. “Fazio, (Pinehurst Resort Owner) Bob Dedman and (Pinehurst Resort President) Tom Pashley all agreed that No. 8 should retain its original, commemorative design. As such, these changes are aesthetic and agronomic with no alterations to the course’s architecture.”
 
First opened in 1996 to celebrate the resort’s centennial, No. 8 seamlessly synthesizes the North Carolina Sandhills aesthetic with Fazio’s enduring design elements. The layout covers over 450 acres of rolling terrain dotted with natural wetlands and native grasses. It’s located five minutes from the main clubhouse and courses No. 1 through No. 5 with its own clubhouse and practice facilities. The new state-of-the-art Golf Pride Retail Lab opened in late June and is co-located near No. 8’s entry.

Those seeking the highest quality of accommodations should know The Carolina Hotel’s renovation is nearing completion with updated guest rooms that are sure to blend modern luxuries with Pinehurst’s historic presence. The 2024 U.S. Open is less than two years away, so the region is preparing for a great show that golf travelers can experience now.
 
For more information, visit www.pinehurst.com.