The International, Pines Course-C&C Reno - in Bolton, MA

[Steve_ Shaffer]

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are approaching the finish line of the firm’s makeover of The International’s Pines course in Bolton, Massachusetts.
Located 40 miles west of Boston, The International’s reimagined Pines will be the first new 18-hole course to open in Massachusetts in more than a decade.
Over the past two years, Coore & Crenshaw have created a new course that takes greater advantage of the land’s varied topography, unique landforms and mature vegetation. Not a single hole corridor or green site remains from the prior version of the Pines, which was best known for decades as America’s longest golf course. This emphasis on length has been replaced by Coore & Crenshaw’s signature preference for golf courses that look natural, are strategic and can be enjoyed by all levels of play.
“Bill, Ben, shapers Ryan Farrow and Zach Varty, and the rest of the Coore & Crenshaw team have worked their magic, taking an exceptional site and crafting what we strongly believe will be considered one of the country’s best new golf courses,” said Paul Celano, director of golf at The International. “Their deep admiration for courses built during the early 20th century, the so-called ‘Golden Age of Architecture,’ is an ideal match for our vision of a golf-first experience at The International that preserves and honors the club’s 120-year history.”Read more:
https://www.firstcallgolf.com/design-notes/feature/2024-06-04/coore-crenshaw-reimagines-the-internationals-pines-course

[Steve_ Shaffer]

The Pines course will open in Spring of 2025.

https://www.theinternational.com/

[Brad Tufts]

I was lucky enough to get a walking tour of the new layout a couple days ago, the first time I have ever done so on a course that has yet to open.


I think it will be difficult, engaging, and noteworthy.


The course has a difficult start with standouts at 1 and 2, and no real breather until 6-7-8, a combo of short par 3, medium par 5, then short 4.  #9 is a ball-buster, and it remains to be seen whether the green is big enough for a long par-four approach.  10 is a neat Redan-esque hole followed by a massive 600y par five with three tough shots in a row, including a diagonal water carry off the tee.  13 may be the best hole on the property with its drive over a 30’ deep sand scrape, and this is the fourth half-par (on the difficult side) in a row.  The 15-16-17 stretch offers three diverse greensites, one partially blind behind a mound, the next a tiny tabletop green for a 100y par three surrounded by double bogeys, and the third a small elevated green surrounded by trouble.  The finisher is a par five around a bend to a hillside green. 


The area in front of the clubhouse adds to the intimacy of the course, as one can see 8 greens and many hole corridors from the clubhouse balcony, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a few more trees come down to open things up as members and guests get familiar with the challenging course.


I’m reluctant to predict top this or top that, but there is plenty to think about and discuss, and I’m overjoyed we have new golf to debate and enjoy in Mass!

[Tim Martin]

I got the tour of the C&C Pines course this past week which along with the Oaks encompasses roughly seven hundred acres of land with no housing on the perimeter to clutter the compelling views as you make your way around. The course has no shortage of dramatic features with the sand scraped carry required on the tee shot on 13 as described by Brad in his post being a good example. Additionally there are plenty of flash faced green side bunkers to navigate making your miss on the correct side a priority. The green sites/sizes are noteworthy topping out at 12,000 square feet and some quite a bit smaller depending on the hole. They chose fescue instead of bent grass for greens, tees and fairways hoping to provide a more traditional look and a contrast to the Oaks course. Finally with the addition of new Pines course it should put The International in the same rarified air as Old Sandwich and Boston Golf Club on the modern side.

[Steve_ Shaffer]

From New England Golf ...by Bill Doyle



https://newengland.golf/coore-crenshaw-upgrade-the-pines-course-at-international-golf-club/