Always Pinehurst, Always Better

For a place that has hosted more single golf championships than any site in America, Pinehurst refuses to rest on its historical laurels.

When Michelle Wie West hoisted the trophy following her triumph in the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, it closed a fortnight of golf that had never been seen.

A week before, Wie West was in the gallery on the very same course, joining other LPGA Tour stars following Martin Kaymer as he cruised to his second major championship after winning the U.S. Open. Both majors were played on venerable Pinehurst No. 2 in consecutive weeks, a feat never attempted in major championship golf, and one, though wildly successful, has not been done since.

And yet, what has followed in Pinehurst Resort’s growth in the 10 years since might be even more impressive — all of it bookended by the decade between U.S. Opens, which returned to No. 2 for the fourth time in Pinehurst’s history in June 2024.

“There’s a line I like to think about, and that’s ‘Always Pinehurst, always better,’” says Pinehurst Resort CEO Bob Dedman Jr.

In April, Pinehurst opened its first original golf course in nearly three decades after tabbing one of the era’s greatest architects, Tom Doak, to build Pinehurst No. 10 on a slice of 900 acres the Resort has acquired south of its main clubhouse. The site features dramatic elevation changes, natural sandy areas, three lakes and dramatic remnants of an early 20th century sand mining operation.

“No. 10 starts fairly gentle, then it starts going into the old quarry works where it gets downright crazy for a little bit, then the course gets up on the hill and there’s a beautiful, sweeping view,” Doak says.

“All of the holes coming in are challenging, even when you move down into the gentler terrain. It’s a dramatic golf course; more than I originally thought.”

Caption: Pinehurst No. 10

Pinehurst’s new golden age began with the restoration of No. 2 by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. From there, the march was on — and is ongoing.

The Deuce opened in 2016 in the main clubhouse, overlooking the 18th green of No. 2. A year later, renowned golf architect Gil Hanse crafted The Cradle, Pinehurst’s wildly popular par-3 short course. In 2018, Hanse redesigned Pinehurst No. 4, helping one of Pinehurst’s now 10 championship courses vault back into numerous Top 100 course rankings. That same year, Pinehurst Brewing Co. debuted to great acclaim among guests and locals alike.

Pinehurst continues to invest in its present and future. In 2024, Pinehurst completed the final phase of a three-part renovation of its signature hotel, The Carolina, revitalizing all of its rooms and the lobby, working carefully to enhance the charm of yesteryear with all of the comforts guests expect today. Also, the Carolina Vista Lounge, a stylish new restaurant unlike any other in Pinehurst, opened in the renovated space that was the Ryder Cup Lounge.

Pinehurst has fully welcomed the USGA to its second home as its second headquarters. Its research and development center and the return of the World Golf Hall of Fame are now a signature part of the Resort’s thriving main campus. In 2025, for the first time, Pinehurst Resort will offer guests luxury accommodations with golf course views when expansive new cottages open at Pinehurst No. 8.

“Pinehurst is not a time capsule,” says Tom Pashley, Pinehurst Resort’s President. “This is not a place where you come and just look at how things used to be and celebrate the past. You can do that here, but you’re also celebrating the present, and looking forward to the future.”

And, to think, the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open return in 2029. At Pinehurst, there is always more to come.

“I’d like to think the golden days of Pinehurst are ahead of us,” Dedman says. “When I think about the future of Pinehurst, thinking about looking back 20 years from now, I hope we’re even closer to achieving our purpose. And that’s where we honor timeless traditions and inspire legendary stories, one smile, one round, one moment at a time.”