Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (#1) – Played June 2021
- Rankings: None of my four lists
- Location: 1 Carolina Vista Drive, Pinehurst, North Carolina
- Year: 1897
- Original Architect: Dr. Leroy Culver
- Additional Work By: John Dunn Tucker & Donald Ross
- Course Access: Resort
- Walking Rules: Carts & Caddies Available
Score Card Information:
- Blue: 6,089 yards, Par 70, 68.4 Rating/118 Slope
- White: 5,806 yards, Par 70, 67.4 Rating/113 Slope (Men’s), 73.0 Rating/126 Slope (Women’s)
- Green: 5,466 yards, Par 70, 65.5 Rating/109 Slope (Men’s), 70.8 Rating/120 Slope (Women’s)
- Red: 5,167 yards, Par 72, 64.1 Rating/107 Slope (Men’s), 69.1 Rating/115 Slope (Women’s)
- Yellow: 4,197 yards, Par 72, 61.0 Rating/95 Slope (Men’s), 63.2 Rating/103 Slope (Women’s)
The course that started it all at Pinehurst Resort doesn’t get the publicity of it’s more famous neighbors #2 and #4. For the members, that is probably just fine as it keeps the traffic a bit more manageable.
Years ago, in my time working at Pinehurst, I had played #1 plenty of times. Upon this replay I found that I remembered a few of the holes, but that was it.
The No Laying Up universe prevailed again when Nick asked if anyone wanted to join for a midweek tee time at Pinehurst #1. I jumped at the chance to see the course again and get some pictures. Unfortunately, the weather betrayed us and I only got the few you see below. We played in a steady rain for at least half of our round. Poor Nick didn’t have any raingear and got soaked to the bone.
Pinehurst #1 was the course that started everything at the resort. Dr. Leroy Culver laid out the first nine holes prior to 1900, while a second nine was added by John Dunn Tucker. The course is more or less a full Donald Ross design nowadays though.
It’s fair to say it’s a toned down version of #2 and #3. The edges aren’t as sharp and it won’t punish you quite as much. This, along with reduced traffic, explains it’s popularity with the membership at Pinehurst.
If the resort would put some money into this layout, I think it would be a big hit a la #3. There’s no reason to make it tougher, but revamping the old course to be more on par with the other resort courses would be a welcome change.
