With nine courses and a history dating back 125 years, Pinehurst Golf Resort is considered the Cradle of American Golf.
By Jack Houvouras
HQ 116 | WINTER 2022
When it comes to dream golf trips in the United States, there are a select few that make most experts’ bucket lists. There’s Pebble Beach, Kiawah Island, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straits. And, competing for the top spot year in and year out, is the renowned Pinehurst Golf Resort.
Established in 1895 in the sandhills of North Carolina, today Pinehurst boasts nine outstanding golf courses, a par-3 course, elegant accommodations and a bevy of other recreational activities. Widely known as the Cradle of American Golf, Pinehurst has hosted more golf championships than any other site in America, including three U.S. Opens. It’s where Payne Stewart captured his third major championship on the famed No. 2 course in 1999, and it’s where Huntington’s own Bill Campbell won the prestigious North and South Amateur Championship in 1950, 1953, 1957 and 1967.
Armed with all this history and acclaim, I set out with my brother Drew and nephew Alex to plan a pilgrimage to Pinehurst. For our trip, we opted to book the resort’s Donald Ross Package, which includes three rounds of golf and two nights’ accommodations. We were surprised at how affordable the trip would be, especially considering we each reserved our own room.
Pinehurst offers five options for lodging, and we chose to stay at The Manor Inn. Always a favorite of Arnold Palmer when he would visit Pinehurst, the Manor’s newly renovated interior includes cozy club rooms, a large lobby and the inviting North and South Bar that features old-school charm and classic style. Vintage advertising and photos pay homage to the historic North and South Amateur Championship, played at Pinehurst since 1901 and known as the longest consecutively running amateur championship in America. Be sure to look for a photo of Mr. Campbell on its walls.
The Manor Inn is also within walking distance of the Pinehurst Brewing Co., a 10-barrel microbrewery located in the Village’s old steam plant that dates back to 1895. That’s where we opted to gather for drinks and dinner each night. Their pizza is out of this world.
As for golf, our research revealed that the three best courses to play at the resort were No. 2, No. 4 and No. 8.
Pinehurst No. 2 was designed by legendary golf architect Donald Ross in 1907 and is widely considered to be his greatest work. Many of its greens are crowned causing shots that are short to roll off. As such, chipping is a premium. The course has already hosted the U.S. Open three times and will do so again in 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047. It is currently ranked No. 6 by Golf Digest on its list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.
Pinehurst No. 4 is considered by some to be the second-best course at the resort. Originally laid out by Donald Ross in 1919, it underwent a major redesign in 2017 by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. It then reopened in 2018 to rave reviews. It has been described as visually stunning from tee to green with exposed sand areas, vast cross bunkers and native grasses that meld with the rolling topography. The course was ranked No. 32 by Golf Digest on its list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.
Another contender for the second-best tract is Pinehurst No. 8. Designed by Tom Fazio, it opened in 1996 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the resort. The course has the least amount of housing lining the fairways of the resort’s nine courses, which makes for a more tranquil round. And because it winds through wetlands and forests, it has earned a Signature Sanctuary designation from the Audubon Society. The course was ranked No. 64 by Golf Digest on its list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.
When it came time to book our tee times, we were told that the No. 2 and No. 4 courses were walking-only. However, this is not the case. Instead, these courses are cart path only. Additionally, if you have a medical condition, carts are permitted.
As for our three days on the links, a good time was had by all. Both the No. 4 and No. 8 courses were impressive, but the obvious star in the lineup was the No. 2 course which we wisely reserved for our final day. It was both a beauty and a beast. I birdied the first hole and made the turn at just four over par. That’s when I started having delusions of grandeur — that I could possibly break 80 on the U.S. Open course. Boy, was I wrong. The back nine brought me back to earth and I stumbled in for an 86. I took some solace in the fact that I birdied the 17th hole, thus securing a silver coin given to golfers who score a 2 on the No. 2 course.
In the end, we all agreed that our bucket-list trip to Pinehurst was a great time and a damn good bargain. It’s hard to beat that combination.
