How Pinehurst #2 Became A Major Championship Venue

 Donald Ross believed that Pinehurst deserved a golf major, but he also knew that the #2 course, despite its world renown design was not set up to host one of golf’s majors. In the early 1930’s, after years of studying turf conditions in the Southern United States, Donald Ross had a plan to make Pinehurst a major championship venue for decades to come.

Pinehurst #2’s original design was less championship worthy and more resort friendly. As late as 1922, the #2 course measured in at a meager 6125 yards and its greens were flat and boring. A decade later not much had changed and Ross knew that something had to be done to attract the USGA or the PGA of America.

In 1934 Donald Ross set about to create a championship worthy golf course, who’s story would be woven into the fabric of golf history for generations.

What did Ross do?

Length

Ross through the elimination of holes #9 and #10 changed the routing and extended the course from a pedestrian 6100 to a championship length of over 6900 yards. The old #9 and #10 turned into the existing #4 and #5.

Bunker Renovation

Pinehurst #2’s bunkers were also moved and additional bunkers were added in Ross’ 1935 renovation. Ross’ intent was to demand a premium for accuracy from the long drivers, while offering forgiveness for the shorter hitter.

Greens

Prior to the 1935 renovation #2’s putting surfaces consisted of 60x60 feet greens made of clay & sprinkled with sand. They weren’t the crowned greens we see there today, but rather- they were dead flat.

The 1935 renovation not only added grass to the greens, but contours. The old flat sand greens made the original design insanely easy to putt, but the clay base made made pitch shots into the green near impossible to hold. Ross knew that the new grass greens would allow for easier pitch shot approaches, so he constructed rolling greens to help protect the pins.

That’s not to say that Pinehurst’s current greens are representative of Ross’ 1935 Renovation because they are not. Today’s greens are result of decades of top dressing and bunker sand splash.

It remains to be seen if any architect will ever attempt to faithfully restore Donald Ross’ original 1935 greens. It is much more likely that the famous crowned greens are a sacred cow. Right or wrong they have played a big part in the championship history of Pinehurst #2.

I am curious what you think?

Would you restore Donald Ross’ original green contours? Let me know your thoughts.

The Naysayer

Not everyone loved the new design of Pinehurst #2.

Three-time Major Championship winner, Tommy Armour, initially believed Pinehurst made a mistake switching to grass greens.

“The minute Pinehurst goes to grass greens, it becomes just another championship course. Thousands of people are attracted to Pinehurst each year to get the thrill out of playing on sand greens.” 

- Tommy Armour

Why Did Pinehurst Renovate #2?

We covered the “how” but why did Pinehurst Resort feel the need to renovate their #2 course?

Pinehurst’s “why” is not dissimilar to Augusta National Golf Club’s initial conversations to host the U.S. Open. At this point in history, the United States was 6 years into the Great Depression. In the case of ANGC, they had hoped a U.S. Open would bring new interest to the club and attract members. In the case of Pinehurst, a major championship might attract cash restricted golfers to splurge on a trip to Pinehurst Resort.

Augusta National didn’t land their U.S. Open, but Pinehurst’s renovation landed the resort the 1936 PGA Championship and the rest as they say is history.

Pinehurst’s First Major Championship

Donald Ross’ grand renovation plan for Pinehurst #2 was designed to deliver a major championship and did so within one year of its completion. Just a year prior the course was 800 yards shorter, the routing was completely different and the greens were dead flat & made of clay and sand.

The first major championship held at Pinehurst just so happens to be the longest major championship ever held at Pinehurst. The 1936 PGA Championship was both a stroke play and a match play event and the totality of its challenge could have equaled 216 golf holes played…meaning that to win the 1936 PGA Championship, the last two golfers standing could have played as many holes as the three U.S. Opens- (the number of holes that have been played in every U.S. Open Pinehurst has hosted prior to 2024)!

The week’s schedule consisted of:

Monday: 18 holes of stroke play

Tuesday: 18 holes of stroke play

Wednesday: 36 holes of match play

Thursday: 36 holes of match play

Friday: 36 holes of match play

Saturday: 36 holes of match play

Sunday: 36 holes of match play

As it turns out no golfer played all 216 holes, but it still remains the longest professional major championship in Pinehurst history.

Denny Shute won golf’s version of the marathon major and claimed a prize check or $1000.

The 2024 Golf Heritage Society National Convention

October. 16-19, 2024

Planning is underway! The GHS is visiting Pinehurst in 2024 where the new World Golf Hall of Fame is opening, in association with the USGA Experience, a facility designed to bring golf history to life. There’s already a buzz about this one, so pencil it on the calendar.

Click the link below to learn more about the Golf Heritage Society:

Thank you for reading this newsletter and sharing it with your friends.

Until next time…

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T. Lewis