Brian
I was there yesterday as well.
I can echo nearly everything you wrote.
Despite having attended multiple business meetings and seminars in and around Pinehurst, I've not played much golf in the area , other than the obligatory rounds at #2, #4 and The Cradle usually set up by the organzers of such events.
I played Mid Pines and Pine Needles years ago as well.
I did ride over to Southern Pines in late 2019 after just such a non golf conference, but it was extremely cold (33 degrees and windy and I just looked out from the clubhouse over a few holes)
I'm not sure if I regret walking the course or not after reading Matt's review above as at least don't have the nostalgia of what was there before conflicting me. (I tend to be over nostalgic and not particularly objective about renovations to courses I love with good bones-see my comments on Narin and Portnoo)
Edit:I played 18 Sunday and then came back and played 6 more late Tuesday
The greens and green surrounds were full of variety and interest and the course abounds with long views across the property.
The native sand areas, the formal bunkers and the mature pines (which evidently have undergone massive reduction and management)provide a very attractive feature of the course, and a great feel to the place,
Easily one of my favorites in the southeast-the terrain and the mature look of the place are remarkable.
Reminds me an enhanced version version of what Forest Hills in Augusta could've been before their multiple failed renovations/land swaps.
I do question why they would do all that terrific bunker work yet not have any rakes for the playes to clean up.Bunkers looked like a football game was played in each and every one.
There's no additional maintenance cost to this(rakes), and why absolve players of their responsibility and create future bad habits we see at so many munis.
Then the soft ,muddyish rye approaches in front eliminated any run up approaches and were basically unchippable or unpitchable with any lofted club.(note this was early November after a unseasonably cool snap-no doubt they will get better as they dry and the rye matures).
Curious why they would overseed these frontal approach areas(perhaps to hide scars of recent work)-the fairways in general were not overseeded.
The dormant bermuda surfaces elsewhere provided a wonderful crisp surface, though cart traffic made for thinnish and worn areas-great for a better player, perhaps tough for the average player.
Great improving bones-a work in progress, as newish sod which will remain dormant until late spring is abundant, and cart/foot traffic and pinch points won't help.
There is a downside to so much anticipation and great early reviews (in the form of traffic) while growing in and continuing a renovation.
The traffic from the positive reviews creates wear issues on mostly dormant surfaces and the expectations from the reviews may be higher than is fair, with many seeing the work before it has had a growing season to knit n.
But those are mere nit picks on such a wonderful course and project.
Once grown in and settled down, I could potentially see it as rivaling Palmetto for my favorite course in the southeast, and even surpassing it-assuming they don't becomes victimes of their own success and kill the vibe.