Steve,
I played Pines with friends back in late May. I wouldn't say the conditions are poor, but conditioning could be a little better. I think, all in all, the Pines is a few different architects represented, so the design is not very cohesive-there is some Flynn, some Gordon, and a few holes (6-7-8) that are very out of character with the rest of the course. It does need TLC all around, though. The Flynn holes can be good to very good, the Gordon holes
I think either Wayne or Joe has some pictures of the course in the past-when Flynn had designed 9 holes. It seemed to me very much along the lines of Pine Valley or Pinehurst #2. Or, in today's world, Hidden Creek, with sandy wastes and a "wilder" looking appearance. Today, there is more grass.
I am curious as to whether and how Pinelands land-use laws could or would impact any work done to the course.
Will post picture from 1940; please iM me with instructions on how. Thanks.