Rumor has it that new golf course construction is up during the past year.
Among those new projects is another course at Pinehurst Resort, where architect Tom Doak will design the property's 10th layout.
The course, located 4 miles from the main clubhouse, is scheduled to open in spring 2024 and will incorporate rugged dunes, native sand and wiregrass. Doak's design also will work with the property's existing natural ridgelines, landforms, longleaf pines, streams and ponds, some of which is a direct contrast to other Pinehurst courses.
"The site is topographically distinct and drastically different from anywhere in Pinehurst," Doak said in a news release. "It's bigger, bolder and more dramatic. There's about 75 feet of elevation change, and we'll work our way up to it around the mid-point of the layout. You'll have expansive views from this apex over the rest of the course. It will be an unforgettable experience for golfers."
Doak's first visit to Pinehurst was more than 40 years ago on the famed Donald Ross-designed No. 2 course.
Doak recalls first visiting Pinehurst more than 40 years ago and playing and touring No. 2. He rated the storied Donald Ross design a perfect "10" in his famed book "The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses," and was one of the most vocal supporters of its restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2010 prior to the 2014 U.S. Open.
"Tom Doak builds incredible golf courses on sand, and we're excited to see what he'll create in the North Carolina Sandhills," said Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley. "We've worked with some amazing golf architects who've embraced our natural aesthetic and believe Tom will do something fantastic on this site."
Landscape architect Angela Moser will serve as Doak's lead design associate on the project. Moser's credentials include Los Angeles Country Club's North Course, Streamsong Black in Bowling Green, Florida, St. Patrick's Links in County Donegal, Ireland, Te Arai Links in Tomarata, New Zealand and Ohoopee Match Club in Cobbtown, Georgia.
"The number one thing that excited us about the project is working with the beautiful sand that's native to this region," Doak said. "The sand, the wiregrass, the bluestem grass, and other native grasses that grow around the Sandhills create a fabulous texture for golf. It's something most places just don't have."
In addition to Doak's routing, Pinehurst has plans for even more growth in the area, that encompasses 900 acres in Aberdeen. A variety of development opportunities will be evaluated with town officials, including additional golf, short course, clubhouse, guest cottages and other lodging.