The Carolina hotel at Pinehurst ResortThe Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst Resort

Boston businessman James Walter Tufts sold his soda business in 1895 and purchased 6000 acres of land in the North Carolina Sandhills with the express purpose of building a health resort, and opened the Holly Inn that year. Tufts employed Frederick Law Olmstead ( of Central Park fame ) to design the village and central green for what became the village of Pinehurst. Although the first golf course was laid out in 1897 by a Dr Leroy Culver, it wasn't until Donald Ross was appointed in 1900 that golf really came into it's own at Pinehurst. Scottish born Ross designed over 400 courses in his time, many of which have stood the test of time. He is rightly regarded as one of the finest golf architects the world has seen. Pinehurst no 2 opened in 1907 and Ross  declared it was 'the fairest test of championship golf I have ever designed". Pinehurst no 2 is regarded as his masterpiece.

Indeed Pinehurst no 2 has now hosted major championships such as the U.S. PGA, the Ryder Cup, The Tour Championship, and a number of U.S. Opens- perhaps the most famous of these was the 1999 Open won dramatically by Payne Stewart. In fact no 2 has hosted more championship events than any other course in the USA.

But Pinehurst Resort wasn't always all about the golf, although that is what it is universally known for now. Originally Tufts designed it as a health resort, and riding, hunting, cycling and archery were key activities. In 1916 exhibition shooter Annie Oakley came to Pinehurst Gun Club teaching 125000 people how to shoot in a 5 year period!

But these days it is all about the golf. Pinehurst now has 9 championship courses under its care, and the general sandhills area around Pinehurst has many more.

 Putter Boy at PinehurstPutter Boy at Pinehurst

Pinehurst no 4.

 

Pinehurst no 4Pinehurst no 4

 

Pinehurst no 4 was redesigned by Gil Hanse and re-opened for play in September 2018.

No 4 was originally designed by Donald Ross and first opened for play in 1919.

Located adjacent to no 2, with similar terrain, no 4 has always suffered in comparison to it's famous sibling.

It has been redesigned a number of times over the years with Robert Trent Jones in 1973, Rees Jones in 1982, and Tom Fazio in 1999 all making their mark

But it might just be that this interpretation by Hanse could be the keeper..

 

Reflecting after my round it was clear to me that the brief to Gil Hanse was 'to build another championship course to test the best'.

With the back tees (orange) measuring at 7,227 Yards, no 4 is a serious test of golf!

 

I decided I wanted to test myself by playing off the blue tees measuring 6,962 Yards. The regular tees play 6,428 Yards, so that is quite a difference.

No 4 is beautiful course.

It has a great setting- undulating sandy terrain with pine trees framing the holes.

And Hanse has increased the drama with extensive use of waste bunkering as well as the occasional blowout bunker throughout the course.

 

The greens have nice movement and will challenge when quick- and they will get quick!

 

IMG 0126Pinehurst no 4- hole 5

 

 Pinehurst no 4 has been groomed to hold championships and will attract a large share of the Pinehurst traffic going forward, together with no 2.

It is a world class course at 'the home of golf in the USA'

 

 

Golf Tours- Pinehurst

The Travelling Golfer can tailor a package to suit your group, including time at Pinehurst Resort and some of the other outstanding courses in the area.

For further information and suggested itineraries see Golf Tours: Pinehurst & The Sandhills of North Carolina

 

Enquiries

Please contact us if you are interested in a golf tour to Pinehurst Resort and/or The Sandhills of North Carolina:

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