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 course was first layed out in 1897 by 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 '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 Pinehurst
Pinehurst no 6
Pinehurst no 6- hole 1- Welcome to no 6!
Pinehurst no 6 was originally designed by George & Tom Fazio in 1975 and opened in 1979
Tom Fazio returned in 2005 to refurbish the course
No 6 covers some rugged undulating terrain at times and has a different feel to other Pinehurst courses.
I found it quite challenging.
I also liked the variety- from flattish tree lined fairways, to holes framed by water, to holes with significant elevation change
No 6 is a short shuttle ride away from the main complex at Pinehurst but the system works well and it is no inconvenience to get there and back
Notable holes include:
-hole 7, a longish par 4 over water and bunkers
Pinehurst no 6- hole 7
- hole 9, a long dog leg par 4
- hole 10, a pretty par 5 with water threatening on both sides
- hole 13, a long downhill par 3 with a pond on the left of the green
Pinehurst no 6- hole 9
Pinehurst no 6- hole 13
- hole 14, a strong par 4 with water intimidating both the tee shot and approach
Pinehurst no 6- hole 14
- hole 16, a long picturesque par 3 from an elevated tee
Pinehurst no 6- hole 16
Pinehurst no 6 is a quality golf course.
As you would expect at Pinehurst the course is beautfully conditioned and a pleasure to play.
If you stay at Pinehurst more than a few days put no 6 in your schedule..(but only after you have locked in no 2, no 4 and The Cradle!)
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:
