played in tournament at Mid Pines last weekend. Everyone in the group I talked to loved the restoration. The greens -- being brand new -- were very difficult to read and judge speed. The greens should continue to improve, as should the course as it matures. Local rule to dinstinguish bunkers and waste areas was only a bunker with sand completely surrounded by grass was a bunker/hazard. Otherwise, waste area and you could ground club, etc. The tree removal with the restoration is more dramatic than the photos show, and really opened up the course in spots. I really liked the look and feel of the course, and look forward to returning soon.
Interestingly, No. 4, which I and most on this site love, was lambasted my many of my playing partners (particularly the low handicappers). One single digit said he hated the hole, and I responded the architectectural geeks and gurus often say it is the best hole on the course. They asked why, and I tried to explain the options -- and he had demonstrated it with uncertainty off the tee, saying he knew he should not hit driver, etc, etc., and the difficulty of the pitch. He ultimately acknowledged that he hated it because it "ate his lunch" every time he plays it. He parred it that day, and said it was his first par ever in over 10 years of playing it.