Pinehurst golf primed for Fall

Those planning a visit to Pinehurst this Fall are in for a treat. Most of the courses in and around golf’s hallowed grounds are already in good shape, ready and waiting, the result of cooperating weather.

“We’ve had a great growing season,” said Greg Austin, a golf packager, former club pro and life-long resident of Pinehurst. “The courses I’ve played have been in phenomenal shape.”

True enough, a late August tour of Pinehurst and area courses showed most of the tracks are already in prime condition. The greens at Pinehurst No. 4 are somewhat beaten up – the result of the U.S. Kids World Golf Championships in July – but, officials said they were working to get the greens ready.

Legacy Golf Links, for example, is in good shape despite being one of the more popular courses around because of its playability. A bad note for golfers is that development is taking place now on the course, which will lose its core golf atmosphere. Officials there have been busy adding villas and repairing a dam that burst and drained the lake in front of the 18th green.

Pine Needles, where Donald Ross played most of his golf the last 15 years of his life, is already in top-notch condition. The course underwent renovations two years ago, adding distance and re-doing the greens. It is still a favorite for women golfers, as is Legacy.

Don’t expect any new courses to choose from in the Sandhills: they most likely won’t be building any new ones for a while, though rounds at the area’s 43 courses are said to be up. Instead, look for old favorites to be spruced up.

Pinehurst Resort halted plans to build a ninth course after the 9-11 attacks, and has concentrated on restoring and renovating its existing eight. Rees Jones, who was to design No. 9, put his efforts into renovating No. 7. Tom Fazio, who designed No. 8 and re-designed No. 4 before and after the 1999 U.S. Open, renovated No. 6, which most experts now put fourth in the pecking order at the famed resort, behind No. 2, Ross masterpiece, No. 4 and No. 8.

Other courses that have been upgraded include Southern Pines, which was closed for the summer for a renovation, which includes a total re-grassing, and the Pit Golf Links. That club is also adding villas and other development and also underwent a recent renovation, including adding a set of “scratch” tees.

Little River Farm Resort went under the knife, adding a new multi-million dollar clubhouse and 64 new villas. The Dan Maples layout is also adding more development. The Mid South Club has its new clubhouse opened, along with added villas.