Mid Pines-Quintessential Donald Ross in Sandhills
In the fast-paced world we live in today, it seems the places we’ve come to value and appreciate the most are those that embrace the traditions of the past. It is for this same reason that Mid Pines in Southern Pines, North Carolina is such a rare and special place. I had the great pleasure of playing Mid Pines in mid-October 2009 and thoroughly enjoyed my experience. This Donald Ross course is part of the Pine Needles/Mid Pines Resort and is the neighbor course to Pine Needles, which has played host to the three United States Women’s Opens.
Mid Pines is a quintessential Donald Ross design, with its tricky and undulating greens complexes, numerous run off areas, and trademark cross bunkers. The small greens were definitely a nice change of pace with comparison to the large-sized putting surfaces seen at most modern day golf courses. The course has a very sound layout with little walking required between each green and the next tee and fits well into the land that it was built upon. It has almost no forced carries or artificially contrived holes. I found the course to be tough, but very fair. Whether you are a high handicapper or a scratch golfer, it seemed there was always the possibility to shoot a great score.
The course is slightly shorter than many of the other more modern courses in the area. I thought that while Mid Pines lacked the distance of its neighbor Pine Needles, it more than made up for it with its character and atmosphere. Mid Pines weaves its way through rolling topography very reminiscent to the tract of land in which Augusta National sets. It is lush and green, and the pine trees and the old clubhouse and Inn give you the feeling of being in a really special place. Mid Pines is a fun course with an adequate challenge, but has the character of the most storied of golf courses.
Looking up at the 18th Green with the beautiful old clubhouse and Inn in the background, you will be instantly reminded that you have just played a very special round of golf in a very memorable place. For anyone who has the opportunity, playing a round of golf at Mid Pines is a real treat!
