Pinehurst management: A+ – Both the ambitious vision and perilous transformation were executed with great aplomb. Never has a course/club with such a legacy (even Oakmont) taken a comparable risk. Never. As a result, Pinehurst has gone from being moribund in ~2007 and to the focus of the golfing world. Truly exciting times lie ahead for those of us who live here and I expect that more golf conferences and think-type events will now choose these sandhills for their events.
Greenkeeping: A – Bob Farren’s team has performed a magnificent balancing act and the course is FAR from being on its deathbed after week #1 – it's ready for another good sized event in a few days! The playing surfaces, especially the putting surfaces, are in magnificent condition and the non-playing surfaces are as they should be - what more could you want?! This is the UK ideal, now freshly planted in America.
C & C - A - Could have been an A+ if not for that (dumb) raised 11th tee. Hopefully, they will get the green light to take a little air out of 2 - 4 greens in the near future, simply for the sake of adding to Pinehurst's playing variety.
Weather: B+ – one evening storm in six days is the best you can realistically hope for in the southeast during the summer. However, the native areas could have used more rain over the past ~6 weeks; they were too thin but that's as Mother Nature's dictated.
Mike Davis as USGA spokesperson: A+ – Mike’s passion and knowledge always shine through. His opinions are fresh, genuine and frequently thought provoking, unlike the bland, canned answers of the players. He joins Phil Mickelson as the most interesting men to put a microphone in front of in all of golf.
Course set-up: B+ - Perfect except for about 6 tees (the 3rd twice, the 15th, the 13th today, the 5th & 7th yesterday) which were overly shortened over the 72 hole event. The fetish for the drivable par 4 comes at the expense of the intermediate par 4, which has a definite place within the game. We’re not at Torrey Pines; this is PINEHURST and no cute window dressing is required. Don't just favor the huge hitter on his game; give the tactician a chance.
Infrastructure: A+ – most manageable site I have ever been to for entrance/egress. Pinehurst’s enormous property enables an ‘effortless’ handling of the massive tented village and other infrastructure requirements. The flow around the property was great. Plus, the sight AND SOUND of laughing kids playing the Thistle Dhu putting green was magical, even more so today on Father's Day.
The Women: A - A great course (not worn out) greets them tomorrow and the lack of competitive excitement during the men’s has created an opportunity for unfulfilled drama. I don’t want to sound sexist but the ladies’ recovery skills aren’t the equal of the men’s and will portray the Pinehurst greens as even more vexing than what we have just witnessed. There will be more gaffs around the greens this coming week WHICH WILL MAKE FOR GREAT VIEWING/DRAMA/FUN. Great seeing some of them out studying the course today.
Thank God there wasn't an 18 hole play-off. Drama: C - It was the most ‘exciting unexciting’ event I have ever seen. It was exciting because we are at a crossroads for the game of golf and the restored course hogged the spotlight for most of the event while Kaymer’s command performance overwhelmed the field.
Irrigation companies - D - it's a new day in American golf, you best change your sales strategy. The winners will adopt the Pinehurst less is more principal and find a way to thrive as they help clubs/courses manage the transition.
On to week #2!
Best,