[Craig Disher]

The restoration at #2 is casting a long shadow. Mid Pines is being restored by Kyle Franz who had previously worked with C&C on #2 and Dormie Club. This sounds very exciting.

http://www.thepilot.com/news/2012/dec/16/mid-pines-restoration-project-under-way/

[Tom Fagerli]

It is very exciting. This fall they had lines on the Roughs showing where the fairways would be. Going to be different and in a great way.

[Mac Plumart]

Agreed!

Mid Pines seems to offer something totally different than #2 and this restoration would add another improved reason to keep going back to Pinehurst.  

I'd also be excited to see a refurbished Southern Pines.

[Dan Byrnes]

Been to Pinehurst a couple times but not Mid Pines, going for a 5 day trip in March.  Is it a once course and fun place?

Dan

[BHoover]

Agreed!

Mid Pines seems to offer something totally different than #2 and this restoration would add another improved reason to keep going back to Pinehurst.  

I'd also be excited to see a refurbished Southern Pines.

I played Southern Pines for the first time a month ago. It really is a gem waiting to be polished.

[Cory Lewis]

Great to hear they are doing a proper restoration.  The restoration combined with the addition of the caddie program makes it a really exciting time at Pine Needles/Mid Pines.

[Chris Buie]

I've gotten to spend time with the guys working on it. It's a first rate group working out there. They love the course and are naturally enthusiastic about the project. I am entirely certain their work is going to turn out really well - probably extremely well, actually.
It's always been my personal favorite to play in the area. It is the course that has changed the least through they years.  And now it's going to be even better. IMHO what is likely to happen is that it will go from very recommended to an essential area course - along with No. 2 and Pine Needles.
Well, that's my take for what it's worth.

And yes Mac, SPGC could be amazing. I enjoy it as is but it could really move to an entirely different level with the right team having a go at it.
BTW, some knowledgeable people rave about SPGC. It's all personal takes, I suppose. But I would be quite surprised if anyone on here didn't really enjoy SPGC.

Dan, MP is a fantastic place.

[hhuffines]

Thanks for this info Craig!  This is very exciting.  Anyone have news on Pinehurst #9?  Thanks...

[Tom Fagerli]

MidPines in the spring with the azaleas in bloom is as beautiful a place for golf as you can find. Further, MP is two shots harder than PN IMO. Longest "short" course around. I can hardly wait to play,it with MiniVerde. Greens have been fast and firm of late as they are.

[mike_beene]

Mid- Pines is the best routing.Takes you all over the property multiple times with direction changes.The par 5 on the back nine is as good as it gets.

[Joe_Tucholski]

When playing over Thanksgiving there was at least one hole where they had already taken a large portion of the rough out, I think it was on 16.  The rough on the left side (inside of the dogleg) was essentially gone.

I really loved playing Mid Pines.  I thought the greens were wonderful.  It's interesting the change to the greens seems to be because the miniverde allows the same speeds as bent, but with the change of turf they will also be softening the contours a bit.  “We’re not going to mess with the green contours except where there is too much slope,” any ideas which holes have too much slope?

[Sean_A]

Craig

Do you know if the drainage issues on the low section of the property are going to be addressed?

I also note this sentence - hhhmmm.

“We’re not going to mess with the green contours except where there is too much slope,” Miller said.

Ciao

[Carl Rogers]

Played once last September w/ friend Scott Weersing on this site.  Very interesting use of the terrain.  The whole is a lot lot more than the sum of its parts. The article did not mention a time line for completion.

[Steve Wilson]

Of all the courses in Moore County, Mid Pines and Southern Pines were my favorites.  It's exciting news that Mid Pines is going to be restored rather than "improved."   As was pointed earlier the only worrying note was the reduction of contour in some of the greens, but if it's a true restoration surely they won't have to mess much with those slopes.  After all it's not like they are preparing it for a major or even a professional tournament.

Hmmmm, come to think of it they do play a Hickory Championship there in November--might be a thought there. Golf in November at Mid Pines with winter coming on north of the Appalachian Massif.  Well, hush my mouth and call me an entrant.

[Craig Disher]

Craig

Do you know if the drainage issues on the low section of the property are going to be addressed?

I also note this sentence - hhhmmm.

“We’re not going to mess with the green contours except where there is too much slope,” Miller said.

Ciao

I don't know about the drainage - assuming you're referring particularly to the area around the 3rd and 5th fairways. Originally, the large pond on the 5th was wetland and probably helped the drainage from the 1st fairway across the 5th and 3rd. The pond, added sometime prior to the early 40s, might have clogged it all up. Screwing around with a drainage system formed naturally over centuries doesn't seem like a good idea generally.

The conversion of the greens to bermuda grass could be the reason for their concern over slope although I don't recall that many greens having contours that were all that severe.

The aerials of the type that assisted C&C with their work at #2 also exist for MP. The fairway widths ranged from 30-60 yards and either wrap around the fairway bunkers or run up close to their edges. On the 12th, e.g., the left fairway actually begins on the left side of the left fairway bunker. I hope they are also considering some tree cut-back along the fairway perimeters.

[Tom Fagerli]

At the Members' Christmas Party there was supposed to be a presentation on the re-do. Sadly I could not drive down there for it. I suspect a couple contours will be way too fast for MiniVerde. I am told that is the reason they decided on it rather than Champions as Champions just too fast!
I must say that the greens at MP have been excellent this year. Almost hate to see them torn up!
I saw the cut out on the left of 16 in late Oct. Going to be a different line into green there. I will do my best to update what I hear. Plan is to play MP on Dec 29.

[John Shimp]

This is exciting. I think the bunker redo will be great.  The existing bunkers arent' that relevant to play today.  I think the bermuda will dramatically improve the greens in the summer.  They hold a lot of jr events there each year .  The juniors love the course generally but eat it alive in the summer as the greens are small, mushy, dart boards that roll at 7 and don't play at all like Ross greens should.   Glad Kelly and team are getting this done.  He has had a small bermuda test green at MP for at least a couple summers.  Glad to see them act.

[Kevin Stark]

The linked article mentions the ninth green not being a Ross original. I suspected when playing Mid-Pines that it was not an original. What was the original green and does anyone know if there are plans to restore it?

My favorite short par 4 in the world is #4 at Mid-Pines.

[Josh Smith]

I was very excited to hear this.  In my opinion Kyle Franz, or Alister "Mac" Francis as he is known in closer circles has a very good eye for restoration and shaping in general.  Great to see the "little guys" in the business get a real chance.  His bunker work and greens here at Cal Club were the ultimate mix of artistry and function.  No doubt his passion for the subject is top drawer as well.  If your are not familiar with his name, read the Feature Interview with him. 

Go get 'em Kyle.  Can't wait to see photos and see it all in person.

Josh

[Andy Stamm]

At high green speeds I don't think there would that much room on the second green that would be pinnable. The right side falls off pretty significantly. Great green though. Maybe 4 as well.

I feel like one problem is that some of the greens are shaded, which may be negatively effecting their quality. If I'm right about that, I'd love to see that addressed, but I noted that the article mentioned that few trees were to be removed.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Mid Pines is so special. I sort of wish they would just make you leave the driver the car and use mostly 5 woods off the tee and enjoy a great great course. good luck and please do not screw up this gem.

[mike_beene]

And to get a plug in, they have push carts!

[Will Smith]

Congrats to Kyle for getting the chance to take the lead on this project. Having worked on a number of projects with him, I can attest that there is no one more passionate about getting it right than he is. He has never even thought about mailing it in.

I can't wait to get down there and see what he and Kelly, a true gentleman of the game, are up to.

[Andy Stamm]

The work looks great, although it's in its early stages.

At present the work is mostly on 6, 10, 16, and 17. The area where 6, 16, and 17 come together looks fantastic. Coming up 6 with the sixth approach and green complex and 17 green complex right behind it really gets the mouth watering.

[Andy Stamm]

Right side of 6




6th Fairway and Green



6th Green



16 Tee



16 Corner of Dogleg



16 Green



Right side of 17

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