Had the chance to play Pine Needles today (63*, Sunny) and the restoration looks great. All of the holes and tees were open and the course was playing fairly firm and fast, especially the fairways which seem to be somewhat sandcapped (not MPCC firm, but 20yds of roll). The fairways are still somewhat patchy and the greens were shaggy (maybe 7-8), but they putted very true and it appears they did an admirable job restoring the shape and contours of the greens. The fairway bunkering looks excellent(!!), particularly #7, 12, 14, 15, 18.
Things I noted:
- They restored alot of area to the greens. #5, 7, 11, 15, 17 felt really large.
- #3 green doesn't feel as severely sloped as I remember it in the past.
- #6 and #7 are both about 460-475yds now, but in different wind directions. #7 played incredibly tough today into the wind.
- When the large areas of love-grass fully come in, it's going to have alot of the look of the very early Pinehurst area pictures.
- The added length to #10 helps (535yds), but it's still very reachable in two. But the tee-shot is alot more fun to try and get around the corner now.
- With the switch of Par on #14 and #15 (now 4, 5), the finishing stretch is VERY challenging.