A recent photo of Gil Hanse showing off his reimagination of Pinehurst No. 4
A few years ago Bob Dedman, Jr. and the Dedman family, owners of the Pinehurst resort set upon a difficult task; improving America’s most historic golf resort. Founded in 1895 in the heart of the North Carolina Sandhills, Pinehurst Resort is better known as the cradle of American golf. Pinehurst features nine world-class golf courses, an award-winning spa, three historic hotels, and a long list of other recreational activities. In terms of history and tradition, nobody can touch Pinehurst, in fact, the resort has served as host to more single golf championships than any other site in America. At one time or another Pinehurst has played host to all of golf’s major events, including the U.S. Open, PGA Championship, Ryder Cup Matches, PGA TOUR Championship, U.S. Women’s Open and many others.
The crown jewel of the resort, Pinehurst No. 2, is considered one of the game’s architectural masterpieces and after hosting both the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open in consecutive weeks, underwent a restoration restoring the course to Donald Ross’s original design and vision.
If there’s a downside that comes from having one of the most iconic golf courses in the world, it has to be the shadow cast by Pinehurst No. 2 on everything else at the resort. However, that problem is one that the Dedman family is meeting head on!
A few years ago the Dedman family was faced with the question of what can you do to raise the profile of a course that’s long been overshadowed by Pinehurst No. 2? Well, if you’ve got a massive budget, you bring in Gil Hanse, one of the most talented and sought-after golf course architects and designers in the world, to renovate reimagine the course. Hanse, best known for some of his latest course builds such as Castle Stuart, the Olympic Course in Rio, and Streamsong Black is no stranger to renovation and redesign work. Back in 2012, Hanse explained the difference between a redesign and a renovation. In his words, a redesign involves more routing changes, like actually moving holes, a renovation sticks with the existing routing; the focus is primarily on renovating the holes within their existing envelopes.
Hanse’s redesign of No. 4 is a total overhaul of the course and provides Pinehurst with a bold new expression of pure, timeless Carolinas Sandhills golf. Gil Hanse’s naturalist design techniques fit perfectly with the Carolina Sandhills ecosystem. With work about 95% to completion and the grow-in period coming to a close, the course has taken shape and already looks ready for play.
A close up look at the 11th hole, which already looks ready for play notice the natural grass in the cross bunker
Gil’s reimagination of Pinehurst No. 4 has given Pinehurst a course that is visually stunning from tee to green. His work has resulted in exposed sand areas, a vast network of cross bunkers that span multiple holes, and the return of native wire grass that blends perfectly with No. 4’s rolling topography and natural ridge lines to create dramatic vistas and strategic shot options on every hole.
A look down the 5th hole shows the exposed sand and how it blends perfectly with the native Sandhills grass and pine trees
More than anything, the new Pinehurst No. 4 is going to provide the resort with a suitable partner for Pinehurst No. 2. In fact, the USGA has already named No. 4, along with No. 2, as co-hosts for the 2019 U.S. Amateur Championship. Far from just a complimentary course, No. 4 stands on its own and I see the relationship between the two courses as more of husband and wife versus brother and sister. Who wears the pants in the family? You’ll have to wait until Pinehurst No. 4 opens on September 20th to decide for yourself!
Tee times are filling up fast on Pinehurst No. 4 as everyone wants to come and experience the imagination of Gil Hanse. To book tee times and golf packages please visit: www.pinehurstresort.com, or call them directly at 855.235.8507.
Rob Spellman, is an avid golfer and publisher of Golf Aficionado Magazine, he is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and the Golf Travel Writers of America.
