Pinehurst Resort and Country Club revealed Friday the routing and design of its new short course, which will break ground in early May and is scheduled to open this fall.Built by Hanse Golf Design, the short course will have nine holes ranging in distances from 65 to 117 yards and feature many of the elements players face on the restored Pinehurst No. 2, integrating the native sandscape and wiregrass commonly found at Pinehurst during Donald Ross’s era.
“Pinehurst’s short course is designed to be enjoyed by all golfers, including regular players, beginners, friends on a buddy trip and families out to enjoy the game in a relaxed setting,” Hanse says. “The course will be a fun alternative or addition to a round while at the same time honoring the heritage and traditions of golf at Pinehurst.”
The short course will be built on 10 acres of property formerly occupied by the first holes of Pinehurst Nos. 3 and 5, and play will be easily viewed from the historic South Veranda of the Pinehurst Resort Clubhouse. Both of the greens from the original holes will remain in the short course routing.
The course’s other greens will blend into the landscape with tightly mown runoffs in the surrounds. Some of the greens will feature subtle contours while others will have a plateau style. The bunkers will have the rough-hewn nature of the original Ross bunkers and will also blend seamlessly with the exposed sand surrounds.
Plans to move and expand the Thistle Dhu putting course near the clubhouse veranda continue to be developed.
“We believe the beauty of the short course and Thistle Dhu will provide a magnificent front yard for Pinehurst,” Hanse says.
The short course is part of a larger plan that was announced by Pinehurst in November to further restore the original character and spirit to the Pinehurst golf experience. The centerpiece of the plan will be Hanse’s complete redesign of No. 4, which will include exposed sand and native wiregrass, wider fairways and natural topography. The No. 4 redesign is scheduled to begin this fall with the course reopening in fall 2018.
“While Pinehurst is the country’s most historic golf resort, we’re constantly evolving,” says Bob Dedman, speaking on behalf of the Dedman family, who own Pinehurst. “The opening of the short course, along with the No. 4 redesign and last summer’s opening of the Deuce bring a new level of energy and excitement to the Pinehurst experience.”
Hanse is an ideal choice for the projects. His portfolio of original designs includes The Olympic Golf Course in Brazil, and his restoration projects include The Country Club, LA Country Club, Myopia Hunt Club, Merion Golf Club and Oakland Hills Country Club, among others.