What's worth playing in the Pinehurst area?

« **Reply #25 on:** January 28, 2004, 09:59:27 PM »

There must be something going on at Pinehurst, because their President just resigned and ClubCorp has it up for sale. I wonder if this will have any effect on the '05 Open setup or the way it's run?

« **Reply #26 on:** January 28, 2004, 10:07:20 PM »

Hey Brian -- when did Clubcorp. put it up for sale? They've been pressed for cash for a couple of years now....

Robert

« **Reply #27 on:** January 28, 2004, 10:21:28 PM »

Robert,

I read about it in last week's GolfWeek. And my mom saw the CEO opening on the ClubCorp webpage. I need to work on my resume

There wasn't much detail (short blurb article), but they claimed "...to want to focus on their private clubs instead of resorts".

« **Reply #28 on:** January 28, 2004, 11:57:06 PM »

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know how far in advance courses close prior to hosting the US Open? I have heard that the USGA begins setting up tents and bleachers as early as March.

At close to $300 a round the USGA would have to compensate them and extraordinary sum of money to be closed for months prior to the Open.

« **Reply #29 on:** January 29, 2004, 12:07:02 AM »

Matt,

Here's a quote from Pinehurst's web site:

*Remember: Pinehurst No. 2 and all of its courses will remain open until just days before the 2005 U.S. OPEN Championship. Make your place in history now.

« **Reply #30 on:** January 29, 2004, 12:16:11 AM »

M. Schulte-the OPEN course is usually open for play up to the start of practice rounds on Monday of OPEN week( walking only-no buggies the last two weeks prior to the championship) possibly closed the weekend prior to practice rounds to allow the grounds crew to do their final tune-up. Last time #2 hosted the OPEN, #4 was closed and used for corporate hospitality and extra "compound " areas for press and storage...then it was tweaked by Mr. Fazio's group. That closure of #4 again, if it is the plan, may be the possible lost income that week......BUT....How many of us have played or scheduled playing #2 since 1999, after seeing Payne and Phil's battle down the stretch.....What a venue and what an OPEN!!!-Mark

« **Reply #31 on:** January 29, 2004, 12:30:59 AM »

Mark,

I finally took out the 2nd mortgage to play it in Sept. 2002. Couldn't believe they charged extra for range balls (on mats, no less). Great course, though!

There's a winter special going on right now:

http://www.pinehurst.com/reservations/222.asp

« **Reply #32 on:** January 29, 2004, 09:54:51 AM »

Scott- My wife and I stayed at the Pinehurst main hotel in 1999, mid april. I had sent a $400. deposit in january. We stayed 3 nights, played #2, #8, then #2 again(with caddies for both rounds at#2) Sumptious breakfast buffets each morning and I will say, 3 fine dinners from the menu(No alcohol). We paid cash to the caddies, cash for lunch, cash for any incidentals. When we checked out we were slammed with "upcharges" for playing #2---$150 each day, $100 for #8. It ended up being $2800 for 3 days NOT including the cash payments mentioned above. Last 2 visits have been to Mid Pines Hotel and to Pine Needles. No upcharges at checkout time. Still, #2 is a must for all the architecture junkies and Ross aficionados. Mark

« **Reply #33 on:** January 29, 2004, 09:59:17 AM »

Mark,

I assume you played those rounds as part of a "package". When they list those packages on the webpage, there is always a little * that says something like "additional charge to play #2, 4, 7, 8" (maybe not #7).

And it looks like the rates at Mid Pines and Pine Needles have been going up over the last 18 months. Last time I played down there it was $55 for Mid Pines, and now it's almost $100 (anytime). They used to have a package where you could play one or the other and get a "replay" on the other for 1/2 off. Not sure if that still exists.

« **Reply #34 on:** January 29, 2004, 11:16:26 AM »

<<I finally took out the 2nd mortgage to play it in Sept. 2002. Couldn't believe they charged extra for range balls (on mats, no less). Great course, though!>>
Man, one of my huge pet peeves! That, and charging someone $2.00 for a friggin' yardage book after charging $80 or $100 for the golf. Throw in the yardage book!

Thanks, I feel better now

« **Reply #35 on:** January 29, 2004, 11:17:48 AM »

CDpike<<I think I'm responsible for the misquote on Brian's part. I've been harrassing him with e-mails lately about my March trip to Pinehurst, and I'm from CT. He's just a little confused >>
Poor Brian. And here I was harrassing him lately about my trip in April!

« **Reply #36 on:** January 29, 2004, 11:36:24 AM »

The last time I played #2 they handed out the yardage books at the first tee. They were very nice (glossy pictures of each hole) and had at least as much information as they do in the UK-version of Stroke Savers.

None of the other Pinehurst courses included the book.

« **Reply #37 on:** January 29, 2004, 03:44:33 PM »

<<None of the other Pinehurst courses included the book>>

Too bad. Its just seems tacky to me.
I'd much prefer they up the price 5 bucks and then be gracious and throw in the 'free' yardage book and range balls.
Guess it doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things...

« **Reply #38 on:** January 29, 2004, 04:11:32 PM »

Pine Needles will be closing this spring to redo the greens and bunkers I beleive. Can't wait to see the finished product.

« **Reply #39 on:** January 30, 2004, 09:29:30 AM »

Play #2 only because it is #2 and a US Open Course. Personally I think Pinehurst #2 is the most over rated course in the US. Renovations over the years have turned the greens into a joke. (Look at old photographs to see what I mean).

Other good courses:
CCNC both courses
Forrest Creek
Talamore
Pinewild
Anderson Creek
#8
#4

Enjoy

« **Reply #40 on:** January 30, 2004, 05:19:47 PM »

I would recommend CCNC Cardinal as a fun time.

PS-Anybody heard what they are going to do about #'s 9 & 10. I know they were shaped before 9/11. Now I think they are just sitting there half done. I'm kinda out of the loop now so I really don't know.

« **Reply #41 on:** January 30, 2004, 05:44:09 PM »

Some very bad advice from Rob Waldron. Rob, can't say that I disagree with you any more:

>Play #2 only because it is #2 and a US Open Course. Personally I think Pinehurst #2 is the most over rated course in the US.

But, the fact that you recommended Forest Creek is a plus. I failed to mention that earlier that it is an excellent course as well.

« **Reply #42 on:** February 01, 2004, 11:00:35 AM »

Quote from: camel03 on January 30, 2004, 05:19:47 PM

I would recommend CCNC Cardinal as a fun time.

PS-Anybody heard what they are going to do about #'s 9 & 10. I know they were shaped before 9/11. Now I think they are just sitting there half done. I'm kinda out of the loop now so I really don't know.

I spoke with a friend last night that is a member and he said that the course was completely re-done about 2-3 years ago and the entire course has been playable for a while. He said the Cardinal does somewhat get treated as the little sibling, but he thought the greens on the Cardinal were normally in better condition than the Dogwood....which must be pretty good as I played Dogwood about a month ago and they were in incredible condition. I'm going down to play Cardinal as soon as the weather clears around here, so I'll try and take some pictures and send out an update.

« **Reply #43 on:** February 03, 2004, 03:35:27 PM »

Haven't seen anyone mention Legacy in Aberdeen. How does it stack up against others in the area?

« **Reply #44 on:** February 03, 2004, 03:59:13 PM »

Legacy's a good course, nice layout, no houses, usually in good condition. It's worth a trip, but doesn't really have anything spectacular in my mind.

« **Reply #45 on:** February 03, 2004, 04:03:45 PM »

Jeff,
I've played Legacy a couple of times, most recently last Nov. It has a good variety of holes and conditioning was fairly good even though they were overseeding the fairways. The large lake behind the clubhouse that borders #10 and #18 was empty which made the place look like a construction site. One of the members said the course is in financial trouble and up for sale.

I was there with 7 guys - three of us wanted to walk were told when we checked in that would be ok. After 9, we had put about 2-3 holes between us and the group behind. As we were walking to #10, one of the marshalls came up and told us we had to get in carts. I went to the pro shop and asked why the shift in policy - we weren't holding anyone up. The guy there said, sorry, that's the policy, can't help you. I told him we wouldn't be back.

« **Reply #46 on:** February 03, 2004, 04:04:05 PM »

No, 9 (Rees Jones) was only cleared and very rough shaped out, with no subsurface construction done. No. 10 (Nicklaus) never got as far as a clearing plan. No progress has been done on the courses in over two years. Too bad, because the no. 9 site was really stunning when I last walked it in late 2001.

« **Reply #47 on:** February 03, 2004, 04:15:15 PM »

Robert,
Richmond Pines in Rockingham, a short ride south from Pinehurst on rte. 1, is a nice course. Nine by Ross, nine by Gene Hamm, under $30 and no problem walking it in 3 1/2 hrs, possibly less if you're brisk. Nice elevation changes, good greens, very laid back atmosphere.

« **Reply #48 on:** February 04, 2004, 10:57:34 AM »

I haven't seen anyone mention Whispering Pines. The club has 2 Ellis Maples courses built in the late 50s. I've only played one - the River (the other is called the Pines). Not much of a site (flat, plenty of houses although they sit fairly far from the courses) but the courses have a classic feel.

Trees have cropped up on some holes over the years eliminating Maples' strategies. E.g., the par 4 13th (I think) has driving bunkers on the right which if cleared would give a good approach to the green. The safe left side presents a bad angle to the green and a set of bunkers on the approach. Both the right side and left side bunker complexes are now filled with trees leaving a mid-fairway drive as the only option. Not all the holes have this problem. 16 is just a great par 3 with a redan-like green.

WP is also having financial problems so deals are probably available. It's very walkable - but guests need to check with the pro shop to make sure they can.

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