Execs heat up on the vary (a.ok.a. The Cradle) at Pinehurst Resort on Tuesday.
Josh Berhow
PINEHURST, N.C. — Greatest is subjective. So is most enjoyable and most thrilling. However we will say, with confidence, that the one must-play course at Pinehurst Resort is hiding in plain sight this U.S. Open week.
With the newly unveiled Tom-Doak designed Pinehurst No. 10, there at the moment are 10 (Ten!) 18-hole programs on this sprawling property. And whereas the long-lasting Donald Ross-designed No. 2 will host this week’s championship, there’s a ton of selection in the remainder, together with No. 4, which was redesigned by Gil Hanse and is without doubt one of the different favorites right here. However the course you want in your radar, the one you have to play in case you ever go to this quintessential southern getaway, is definitely this week’s driving vary.
The Cradle brief course, which was additionally designed by Hanse, debuted in 2017, as did the close by Thistle Dhu, the 75,000-square foot 18-hole placing inexperienced that’s 4 instances bigger than the one it changed. The Cradle is 9 holes and performs to only 789 yards. Holes vary from 56 to 127 yards, and it’s all laid out over the identical sandy soil that Dr. Leroy Culver used to create the resort’s first 9 holes again in 1898.
Courtesy Pinehurst
However what makes The Cradle stand out is its laid-back ambiance. On a typical day right here, music performs over loudspeakers. You’ll be able to merge teams to go from 4 to eight to 12. The greens are dynamic and enjoyable — the Punchbowl third is a private favourite — and there’s even a grab-and-go cease for snacks and drinks you’ll come upon, the Cradle Crossing, which changed the Pinecone, a picket barcart on wheels.
The Cradle Crossing additionally boasts a TV and firepit full with Adirondack chairs and a sitting space. Oh, and we forgot one of the best half: it’s simply 50 bucks to play The Cradle however that’s good for your complete day. Youngsters below 17 are free if enjoying with an grownup (and solely $15 with out an grownup).
Though this week’s vary sitting atop The Cradle is not any oversight. In truth, it was designed this manner. The north aspect of The Cradle is lengthy, elevated and flat, which is ideal for viewing and/or company or resort capabilities that want tents or catering, and so forth. However that’s additionally ideally suited for a driving vary of a professional golf match, like it’s this week. Now, as a substitute of 9 distinctive golf holes for hackers to play, execs have 9 totally different targets to select from when going by means of their bag. A fence on the finish — some 340 yards away — retains the lengthy balls at bay.
On Tuesday, Hideki Matsuyama chipped balls onto the ninth inexperienced, whereas Viktor Hovland blasted irons to the seventh and eighth greens. Behind them, tons of of spectators seemed on. The world’s greatest gamers have been merely loosening up. The followers watching have been salivating over an opportunity to play these rollicking, hidden 9 holes.
