Whether or not you’re a golf fan, there are some courses so iconic that you just know about them. Georgia’s Augusta National, with its rolling greens and blooming azaleas, is the home of the Masters Tournament. The British Open often tees off at The Old Course at St Andrews along the coast of Scotland, where the wind whips along the North Sea. The golf course at Pebble Beach in California stands along stunning cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
And then there’s Pinehurst in the North Carolina Sandhills and its famous Course No. 2.
Golf at Pinehurst dates to 1897, when half of what became Course No. 1 was commissioned. Course No. 2, which opened in 1907, beckons visitors from around the world with its pine-tree-lined fairways and historic clubhouse. The legendary course has hosted the U.S. Open Championship three times; 1999, 2005 and 2014. It also hosted the U.S. Senior Open in 1994 and the U.S. Women’s Open in 2014.
And once again, in June, the golf world will focus on Pinehurst No. 2 for the 124th U.S. Open. Let’s look at how science and design came together to restore North Carolina’s most famous golf destination back to its original plan.
Golfer and golf course architect Donald Ross was born in Scotland and moved to the United States as a young man. He transformed the sport, and when he died in 1948, he left behind a legacy of more than 400 courses, including Pinehurst No. 2.
Ross believed in giving golfers strategic choices as they played, and Pinehurst No. 2 embodies that philosophy. The course is well known for its difficulty as those strategic choices make the course challenging for all skill levels. In 2011, it reopened after a one-year, $2.5 million renovation to restore the course to Ross’ original design and to use native vegetation.
Every hole was rebuilt.
The rough was eliminated, leaving just two heights for grass: the greens and everything else. Natural areas of sand, pine straw and native grasses were introduced. 200,000 wire grass plants were added. 35 acres of irrigated turf were removed along with 650 sprinkler heads. Cart paths were relocated, and concrete was removed.
The renovation not only restores Ross’ vision and the unique ecosystem of the North Carolina Sandhills, it also highlights the United States Golf Association’s commitment to making the sport more eco-friendly. The renovation project cut water usage in half and reduced the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
Watch a hole-by-hole tour of the restoration on Pinehurst’s website, and learn more about the role science played in this Sci NC story:
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Head to NC’s Sandhills to explore the rich history and unforgettable stories of the world-renowned golf destination. Learn what sets Pinehurst apart, from its historic courses to its Southern hospitality.
It's A Beautiful Day in Pinehurst premieres Tuesday, 6/11, 9 PM on PBS NC & the PBS App.
