I recently returned from NC and hoped to share my thoughts about both the golf and my overall feelings about the area. I played 5 rounds in 4 days spread 6 days and had a blast overall. The weather was hot (about 80-90 degrees with humidity above 80% on a few days) but I survived. It was very dry in the area with 1-2 days of rain about 1 week ago during passing hurricane, but otherwise no rain in the past several weeks. This was wildly different from years past according to both staff and caddies. Day 1 consisted of 18 holes at Tobacco Road. Day 2 consisted of 36 holes at Dormie Club. Day 3 consisted of 18 holes with caddy at Pinehurst #4. Day 4 consisted of 18 holes with caddy at Pinehurst #2.
Tobacco Road. Playing one of my best rounds ever may have skewed my judgement after only one playing, but I had a blast! The ability to play shots uphill and downhill working the ball both left and right did not keep you bored. I was able to birdie 4 holes (4-5-12-15) from disc tees (6317 yards). Holes 4 and 9 were my favorite on the front, and holes 11 and 17 my favorite on the back. I did NOT play hole 16 well, but it was by far the toughest decision of what club to tee off with. I think with a second round played I would have played it differently and not ended up staring at a 60 yard wall of grass ahead.
Dormie Club. The ability to start here quite early in the AM and know I could play 36 plus holes had me pumped up and ready after a great round the morning before. The drive away from Pinehurst out “into the country” set the mood for the day. It is a small and chill clubhouse with helpful staff taking care of you quickly. As the 2nd or 3rd group off, playing as a single with cart made playing as quickly as I wanted such a relief after a busy day of waiting on and off. The dirt cart paths left sort of and “unfinished” look, but that fit in so much with the vibe versus paved cart paths everywhere. Holes 3 and 4 were my favorite on the front, and 14 and 17 my favorite on the back. Holes 7 and 8 are tough pair (first par 3 measuring over 200 yards and #1 handicap par 4). I am still unsure how to play hole 18 after two rounds. Maybe next time I will get to play with a local to give me some help.
Pinehurst #4. After chatting up the rest of my group and caddies, knowing I was in for a 5 hour round and quite a walk ahead (20000 steps and 9.7 miles) we were off. I did watch some of the US Amateur matches leading up to the trip knowing it was tough for some of the best, and this tournament course did not disappoint. I started well and ended up on #3 green with a birdie putt. 4 putts later and writing down a 6 I knew more than normal focus was needed if I wanted to keep smiling. Holes 9, 13, and 16 were my favorites overall with birdie on #10 just giving me a bit more energy to start the back 9. Hole #11 the Par 3 was the only hole on the course I do NOT remember in detail. There were more hills than expected but the slow pace with groups ahead and behind made it more than manageable (knowing my caddy would be carrying my bag and another’s versus me!). It to me was a tournament course first and foremost (6428 yards) especially if playing from back tees (6961/7227 yards). You can have fun here and be just so frustrated within 40 yards of the green. I was a bit of both but knew that playing here just 4 short weeks after a USGA event in fast and firm conditions would be a once in a lifetime event.
Pinehurst #2. After a tough day on course #4 the day before and this being my last round of the trip I was as full of energy as could be expected. Another four and half hours walk ahead (19000 steps and 9 miles) brought my trip to a close on what I and many others onsite consider one of the most historic courses in the nation. A good drive, green in regulation, and a par on the first hole brought a huge relief. Ending up short of the green in two, and 3 putts on hole 2 brought me back to reality quickly. I have looked back through my scorecard, photos, and videos and still can NOT remember much about holes 8 to 12 and hole 15. I did remember playing holes 13 and 14 toward and away from the driving range (along with a second 4 putt on hole 13 green). I am still unsure why these 6 holes are void of memory, and that is quite disappointing knowing I now live 2200 miles away and this may be my one and only visit with so many other amazing places still yet to see. It was not cheap to stay on resort to play (a MUST to play course #2, #4, and the cradle Par 3), but I am glad I did it 100%. Overall I had a good time, but NOT a great time (which I had hoped for knowing the overall cost of staying on site). Will I ever play here again, maybe, but with so many other great resorts and courses to see it will not be on my short list of courses for 2020.
Here are my personal “Top 25” after this most recent trip
Doak 9
1 Ballyneal CO (GCA 9)
2 Pinehurst #2 NC (new) (GCA 9) Most historic but not my personal #1
Doak 8
3 Prairie Club – Dunes NE (GCA 6)
4 Kingsley Club MI (GCA 6.75)
5 Tobacco Road NC (new) (GCA 6.75)
6 Pinehurst #4 NC (new) (GCA NA)
7 Dormie Club NC (new) (GCA 6.66)
8 Desert Forest AZ (moved up) (GCA 6.66)
Doak 7
9 Sand Valley – Mammoth Dunes WI (GCA NA)
10 Lawsonia Links WI (GCA 6.66 = GOURMET CHOICE)
11 Dismal River – Red NE (GCA 7.66)
12 Black Sheep IL (GCA 5.5)
13 Sand Valley – Sand Valley WI (GCA 7)
14 Flossmoor IL (GCA 7)
15 Wild Horse NE (moved up) (GCA 6.33)
16 Arcadia Bluffs MI (moved up) (GCA 5.33)
17 Ak Chin Southern Dunes (moved up) (GCA NA)
18 Forest Dunes MI (GCA 7)
Doak 6
19 Desert Mountain – Chiricahua (GCA NA)
20 Prairie Club – Pines NE (GCA 6)
21 Rock Hollow IN (GCA NA)
22 Thunderhawk IL (GCA NA)
23 Trophy Club IN (GCA NA)
24 Bear Slide IN (GCA NA)
25 Dismal River – White NE (GCA 5.66)