Uncovering No. 2
FOLLOW THE PROGRESS
We're honored to have the renowned firm of Coore and Crenshaw Inc., working with us to return both the natural and strategic character to our championship No. 2 course. We will provide periodic updates through the entire process so you too can share in the excitement of this project.
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VIDEO GALLERY
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PHOTO GALLERY
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TIMELINE of No. 2 Restoration Work
SPRING 2010
- Increase fairway widths
Donald Ross believed in providing strategic choices for golfers on Pinehurst No. 2. Early photography in the 1940s era showed wide fairways during many of our national championships, nearly double what they have been in the modern era. For example, the 11th hole presents a slight dogleg right with a large fairway bunker left and a natural waste area on the right. A back left hole location favors an approach shot from the right side, bringing the right-side waste area into play off the tee. A front-right hole location favors an approach from the left side, bringing the fairway bunker into play. The previous narrow fairway widths restricted the variety of approach angles and the moderate length rough frequently stopped balls from rolling into these areas. In the spring of 2010, we widened all fairways on No. 2 to 50-60 yards, on average, to offer more strategic options in playing each hole from tee to green.
ONGOING
- Firmer, faster fairway and green surrounds
The primary irrigation on No. 2 is now coming from the center water lines that have been in place for over 60 years. These centerlines will ultimately help define the shapes of each fairway and placement of native grass areas. Golfers will experience firmer and occasionally browner coloration of grasses promoting more roll and opportunities to run the ball onto greens. - Elimination of turf in the former rough areas
While tees, fairways and greens will remain untouched during this project, significant amounts of bermuda turf are being removed from the perimeter areas of play. These grassy areas that were formerly "rough" are being stripped of their turf and will eventually be restored into the natural areas featuring sand, wire grass, pinestraw and a variety of native grasses. The Bermuda grass will be eradicated throughout the summer in various stages. - Bunker modifications
Arial photography and images provided by the Tufts Archives show several bunkers that will be restored, eliminated or reshaped based on the course style of the 1940-60 era of the course. Bunker modifications will be ongoing and coincide with the Bermuda grass removal.
FALL 2010
- Restoration of the natural areas
Over its 100-year history, Pinehurst No. 2 was known for presenting golfers with different type of rough off the corridors of play. These areas were full of sand, wire grass, pinestraw and a variety of native grasses. The unpredictable nature of the lie in these areas adds to the challenge and memorability of playing No. 2. The firmer and wider fairways will promote much more bouncing and rolling of balls into these natural areas. Restoration of these areas will begin in the fall of 2010 after the elimination of bermuda grass is complete.
