Pinehurst No. 2: A classic North Carolina golf course steeped in tradition and prestige
VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. -- The main event at the eight-course Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst No. 2, is not only on the current U.S. Open rotation (hosting next in 2014 with the U.S. Women's Open the following week), in its history dating back to 1907, it's also hosted the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup Matches, as well as the Tour Championship among many others.
The golf course was the most beloved by Donald Ross, who lived off the third fairway and was constantly tweaking the course until his death in 1948, and it is no coincidence that two of the toughest greens here are the ones closest to his house: No. 3 and No. 5.
The signature of No. 2 is the greens, often small and difficult to hit with run-off areas, likened to "upside down saucers." The course is fairly generous off the tee, and there is very little out of bounds, but the first three holes play along the road with O.B. left.
Though a par 70 in the U.S. Open, it plays as a par 72 for daily play.
The golf course has changed much in its century of existence. In fact, the course had sand greens until just before hosting the PGA Championship. It is slated to undergo course alterations in the years leading up to 2014 from the design firm of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.