In his fourth literary installment about Pinehurst, Chris Buie takes us on a magical mystery ride around the No.3.course, the dominant course at the resort for at least two decades. Chris’s essay makes it is easy to understand why. It is draped over Pinehurst’s best land and Ross scattered great holes throughout including the Cathedral par 3 6th, the awe-inspiring par 5 8th and two rolling finishers. Ross used the sloping land to great effect: creating the blind approach shot at the 7th with its sunken, fall-away green and a battling side-slope across the long three shot seventeenth are but two prime examples. In my eyes, the fact that Ross opted (i.e. was forced) to build back-to-back par threes at 5 and 6 speaks volumes of the ground’s incessant movement. Had there been sustained flat stretches, I think that in 1906 he would have spaced the pars in a more conventional manner. Instead, he made an early show of an architect building the best holes that he could find regardless of the sequence of par.
One of the joys of Chris’s works is the way he transports the reader back to the time via period imagery and archaic prose. These two quotes from the day latch onto how different each hole was from the others. This is what was said in The American Golfer after the first nine opened in 1907:
From the standpoint of the picturesque the new nine-hole course opened for play last season and which is now in excellent condition, is probably the most attractive in the south and rarely equalled anywhere. From the stretching first to the long ninth, each and every hole is radically different, combining down hill approaches, up hill drives, hidden holes, undulating fair green, water hazards, gentle rises and distinct variety in the way of natural hazards. The additional nine holes which have been laid out on a connecting loop, promise to be fully as attractive. The now defunct Pinehurst Outlook added:
Special interest centers in the new course which was generally enjoyed last season and which is now one of the most interesting, varied and picturesque courses in the south; its special charm being the fact that no two holes are alike.No doubt about it: diversity of challenge abounded thanks to Ross’s imaginative use of the rolling topography. For perspective, in 1910 Mackenzie, Tillinghast, Flynn, Thomas et al hadn’t yet cranked things up but Ross was off to the races. Also, from the golfer’s perspective, the ground game demanded at No. 3 must have provided the perfect foil to the turtleback greens that Ross concocted for No.2 in the 1930s. What a one-two combo those two courses must have been!
According to Chris, No. 3’s two nines were initially intended to be just that – two nine hole loops rather than one eighteen hole course. The thought was that guests might prefer a quick nine hole hit from time to time (having just arrived, having already played eighteen, etc.) and why not give them two handsome choices? Though the concept for two nine hole loops didn’t stick Chris cites the concept as an example of Pinehurst pushing the envelope to best provide for its guests. Pinehurst was the prime resort in the nation at the time and charted its own path. It led; others followed.
Pinehurst No.3 was broken-up only after Ross’s death. While 10 holes are still in play at No. 3 the other 8 were siphoned off for the newly created No. 5. However, Chris is quick to point out that ~90% of the playing corridors are still intact this day. Chris muses that at a propitious time why not properly restore such a fine and noted course that Ross devoted plenty of personal time and attention to over three plus decades. As they presently stand, No. 3 and No. 5 don’t make any highlight reels. Why not restore No. 3’s grandeur/collection of standout holes and settle for 9 holes at Course No. 5? Chris's map of overlapping routings from today and yesteryear encourage the concept of providing players with 27 holes of distinction versus 36 of a lesser ilk. Might reducing the existing offering by nine holes actually accelerate the building of Course No.9 by Coore & Crenshaw?! Perhaps just a pipe dream
but ... that’s OK too! Don Quixote is one of the most fascinating characters in literature precisely BECAUSE he could dream big and honorably. Be it with Overhills or Pinehurst No. 3, Chris advocates for what is right and best without ulterior motivation.
All matter of good things have happened in the greater Pinehurst area over the past six years. It started when Coore & Crenshaw rolled into town for Dormie, which helped lead to work at No. 2 that in turn prompted Mid Pines to undertake its current sterling restoration. A visiting friend from Australia shrewdly observed that Pinehurst might soon be
underrated as a golf destination because of all this fine ongoing work that is available to the public. Maybe Pinehurst No. 9 is next or perhaps Chris gets his wish and sees No. 3 brought back to its former glory? No matter, nothing can diminish the importance of understanding just how good this Ross course once was.
Best,