Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club

Much like the celebrated U.S. Open host down the road, Mid Pines has returned to its Donald Ross roots after a recent restoration. This original Ross routing dating to 1921 reopened in August, 2013, after a restoration project by architect Kyle Franz, who used aerial photos from the Tuft Archives as a blueprint to uncover sandy native areas lining in the fairways that had been lost over the years. All the rough has been mowed away, resulting in wide fairways.
Shrunken greens, now covered in Bermuda grass, expanded by 20 to 25 percent to bring back their original shapes. Bunkers were redone or removed. Subtleties were recaptured. A tall pine tree was removed from the seventh hole to follow a Ross creed that trees shouldn’t be a significant hazard.
The graceful Georgian-style Inn still frames the final green. Some like Pine Needles across the street better. I'll take the new Mid Pines every time.