Elite Traveler Spring 2020

A LAND OF OPPORTUNITY PINEHURST RESORT, PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA, USA

Set in North Carolina’s Sandhills, Pinehurst Resort is most famous for its No 2 course — a masterpiece designed by Donald Ross in 1907, fittingly restored by Coore & Crenshaw a decade ago. The resort’s No 4 course, however, is also quite popular thanks to a comprehensive redesign by Gil Hanse completed in fall 2018. “No 4 is a companion in the landscape, but it is not a tribute to No 2 in the features,” Hanse says. “The greens are different, the approaches are different, and we wanted to take advantage of the landforms, which are much more dramatic than those on No 2.” As Hanse explains, the project began with a focus to restore the site’s original landscape, after which the architect and his team surveyed the rolling topography for

optimal locations for fairways, green complexes and other course features. Speaking of those greens, Hanse purposefully lowered No 4’s putting surfaces to fit the landscape and accented them with unique bunker designs. Elsewhere, the course benefits from exposed sandy areas, native wire grasses and vast cross bunkers; while natural ridge lines provide dramatic vistas, but also present golfers with a variety of strategic choices that must be made. According to Hanse: “Golfers are going to appreciate how No 4 fits into the Pinehurst lineup and elevates the [resort’s] entire golf experience.” pinehurst.com