Without sea or mountains, wild holes or a modern gimmick of any sort, Pinehurst No. 2 has withstood the toughest test of all - time.Donald Ross completed Pinehurst No. 2 and opened it for play in 1907 - and would later term his masterpiece, the "fairest test of golf I've ever designed."
In 2007, we celebrate a Centennial of stories of Pinehurst No. 2.Whether you love it or hate it, all golfers respect what history has transpired on Pinehurst No. 2. Here's the place to tell your own story - which will be kept in the Pinehurst Archives for another 100 years.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
I have often told the story of my friend who was standing on the first
tee of the Old Course at St. Andrews when the starter asked where he was
from.
"Pinehurst," my friend said.
"Ah, Pinehurst, I've always dreamed of going there," the starter said.
For those of us fortunate to visit Pinehurst regularly, we are reminded
of its special charm.
And at the center of it is Course No. 2, celebrating its 100th anniversary
this year.
It is the essence of golf, charming and maddening at the same time. There
is a simple genius and a timeless elegance to it.
Playing No. 2 on a chilly November day last year, my brother David
finished in the dark and said, "That's the most fun I've ever had playing
golf."
That's Pinehurst No. 2.
Ron Green, Jr., Charlotte Observer
I had the good fortune to play Pinehurst #2 a few years ago. I was just off the green on the first hole, chipped up, hit the flagstick and was left with a tap-in for par. Went to the second hole and did the exact same thing. When I got to the tee for the fifth hole, I was still at even par - when I looked down at my hands on my driver, they were shaking at that prospect - this is the only time that has ever happened to me on a golf course! Later in the round, when I got to 17, my tee shot never left the flag, and when we got to the green, my ball mark was 18 inches in front of the hole, and the ball was resting maybe a foot behind. Almost an ace, which would have been just an absolute topper to a great day anyway. Those are my memories of playing #2, and it's an unforgettable experience for those who get to do it.
Although I have never played #2 I have strong connections to it through my dad. Dad was truely a golfaholic. When I was growing up in Georgia, every Saturday he was out playing at least one round. When I was older he would sometimes leave early from work and we would go play 9 holes. When my mom and dad retired they bought a lot in Pinehurst and built a house and settled down in golf heaven. In January 1989 my dad started noticing he couldn't grip a golf club properly with his left hand. Worried about a stroke, he went to the doctor. What they discovered was a cancerous brain tumor. The tumor was too deep to use surgery and radiation therapy was unsuccessful and in early April he died. My dad was cremated and the day after the memorial service I, my sisters, my mother, and a family friend who was a retired Navy chaplin took a stroll through some trees and up onto the 4th hole teebox on course #2. We walked quietly at the back of the tee gently scattering the ashes. We paused to let a twosome play through. Then our friend read the short service from his prayer book. We then all went to the Pinehurst clubhouse and had a drink to toast my dad's memory. Interestingly, the week of the memorial service had been rainy in Pinehurst...except when we went to #2 to spread his ashes. Then the sun came out and the sky was blue. Dad always said it never rained on a golf course.
Wow. What a powerful story. The heavens and the ghosts of legends were smiling on you that day. He joins Francis Ouimet, Ben Hogan and Payne Stewart - the greats of Pinehurst.
We have a saying here - It's always a beautiful day at Pinehurst. When it rains, it is still beautiful..and it's always a state of mind more than a talk of the weather.
I think your dad was right.
"The man who doesn't feel emotionally stireed when he golfs at Pinehurst beneat those clear blue skies and with the pine fragrance in his nostrils is one who should be ruled out of golf for life." Tommy Armour
Post a Comment