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For my Dad’s 80th birthday he wanted to go to Pinehurst and play golf. Here is the report from our epic trip.
Friday
My dad and I arrived early afternoon just in time for the last fitting spot at the Titleist Padgett Center. I had scheduled a wedge fitting as my current Vokey wedges are nearly 20 years old and I wanted to get a true fitting to replace them (I replaced my 15 yo irons last year). I had an excellent fitting that included Trackman, greenside and bunker shots with multiple heads and real ProV1x balls (yellow so they didn’t blend in with the normal Titleist practice balls all over the practice facility). I ultimately ended up fitting into a very similar wedge setup just with a more upright lie angle and some loft adjustments to my gap wedge. My dad watched the fitting as “he has his last set of clubs he plans to buy” - lol. We were also disappointed that the shop wouldn’t sell us Scotty Cameron head covers without buying a putter - even though the staff was ogling over my T22 gamer. Oh well.
After the fitting, we headed over to the Deuce to have a beer and a snack as we missed lunch while driving. Both Pinehurst Brewing Company beers (lager and hazy IPA) were very good. I gave him his birthday present - two practice round tickets to the 2027 Masters (big shoutout to my good friend who won the lottery and graciously gave me two of his tickets as he couldn’t use them).
After our beers, we headed to the range to hit a few balls and then played matchplay on Thistle Dhu (I won 3 and 2). We considered trying the Craddle but it was super crowded and we decided to go check-in to our condo and freshen up before meeting my “brother from another mother” (no actual blood relation to me or my dad) who was joining us for the trip for dinner at 1895 Grille. The food at 1895 Grille was good but not great (it didn’t really live up to the food at peer resorts in the group’s opinion). The highlight was the chocolate soufflé.
Saturday - My Dad’s Actual 80th Birthday
We started the day with coffee at the condo before piling into my bro’s truck with our golf gear for nearly 12 hours of golf. After checking in, I gave my dad a box of ProV1s with the number 80, the Pinehurst logo, and “Dad’s name Birthday” inscribed on them. They were easily the most money I have paid for golf balls but how cool is it that you can design and print them at the Titleist shop right there. We warmed up, got a quick grab and go breakfast from the 91st Hole, and then off to the main event.
Course No. 4
Our first round of the day was on No. 4. I had never played No. 4 (it had been closed during both of my previous Pinehurst trips). Neither had my dad or bro. We took carts and a forecaddie because well my dad was now 80 and it was in the 90s (I do strongly recommend walking due to the cart path only requirement)! Since we were a threesome we got paired up with a nice gentleman from Texas (and his ride along wife who was an elected Judge) that was using our round as his practice round for the North South Senior Amateur.
My dad started his round off on fire and was even par through six including the first birdie of the trip. Ultimately, he didn’t quite shoot his age but had a great round. No. 4 ended up being his (and my bros) favorite course of the trip. Personally, while I enjoyed the course, it was my least favorite of the trip. Personally, I found the lake holes just “didn’t fit” with the normal Pinehurst ethos of the rest of the course.
Course No. 2
Our second round of the day was none other than the famous beast that is No. 2. This was my fourth time playing the course (including a few times before with my dad right before the 2014 US Open when we were surrounded by PGA and LPGA players getting in practice rounds). My bro had never played the course - no way I was letting him ride and miss arguably the best start in golf (along with Riviera and Merion). We were greeted by a Payne Stewart impersonator and paired up with a young guy and his walk along wife - they were a great addition to the celebration and cheered my dad on the whole way home.
As we were the “last group out for the day” one of our caddie’s donned the red vest (vs the normal green) and they gave my dad a tag that gave him permission to drive his cart in the fairway! The highlight of the round was Hole 9 where my dad made birdie to get his 2 on 2 Coin! Also of note my bro made a great sandy from the nasty front left bunker. I hit a great tee shot about 8 ft right of the pin in the center of the green that decided to launch itself over the back bunker down the hill to some tree roots next to the road. I managed to hit it to 3 feet and drain my putt for the par - best save of my life! I will always remember that hole for the rest of my life.
Coming up Hole 18, the crowds outside cheering and jeering us on as we finished up the round was also another special moment that I will never forget. Dad unintentionally had the Bryson bunker shot which had a great applause when he got it out of the bunker.
After the round we were running late for our dinner reservations at the Deuce and we loaded our stuff into my dad’s cart and ran inside where he got his 2 on 2 Coin. The drinks at the Deuce were great but the service as lack luster with the food being average. Also, this may be the first place I have ever eaten on a birthday that couldn’t find a candle to put in the dessert…
After dinner we had a small panic attack because we couldn’t find any of our stuff and the Resort Clubhouse had almost emptied out. We eventually found a security guard that took us down to the caddie room where they had stored our stuff. Don’t make the same mistake we did - just load your stuff back in the car before dinner. We finished the night at the condo by cracking a bottle of Blanton’s Gold and discussing our favorite shots of the day.
Sunday
You have just turned 80 and played 36 holes on your birthday - how do you follow this up? You go play more golf. Sunday morning we woke up, had some coffee, packed up, and then drove over to the Carolina Hotel to check out and have breakfast. Note the coffee at the Carolina Breakfast buffet was some of the best “ordinary” coffee I have ever had. After breakfast, it was off to the Sand Mines.
Course No. 10
We arrive at No. 10 checking in for our 10:50 tee time. Oops our tee time is actually 10:15 and it’s 10:20. Fortunately, they helped us check in quickly and then took us straight to the first tee. While we were all supposed to walk the course, it was incredibly hot and Pinehurst graciously let my dad take a cart with full driving privileges.
This was my first time playing a Tom Doak original course (I have played Crystal Downs which he renovated) and wasn’t sure what to expect. I absolutely loved the front nine! The back nine, not so much. IMO the bulk of the back nine is too long and too repetitive. It also doesn’t help when it’s 93 degrees, you have played 36 holes of golf, and you are hitting long iron after long iron into greens. I did play all of the “signature/tricky holes” (No. 5, 8, 10, 14, 17) well (got an incredibly bad break on No. 6). All in all I would probably put No. 10 right behind No. 2.
We wrapped up the trip with hugs, pictures and Pinehurst Sand Mines merch. We probably lost 15 lbs in sweat between the three of us, we’re slightly sunburned, and had brand new calluses and blisters, but made many core memories. Also, everyone at Pinehurst treated my dad like Royalty the entire trip due to his birthday - really special.
Also, the final highlight of the trip was walking up to our caddies at the end of No. 10 to tip them and overhearing them talking to each other saying “man I was really worried about the old man, but he really hit the ball and could play.” 😁
We are already planning on a trip to the Sand Mines Lodge and No. 11 next year!
TLDR. My dad wanted to play golf at Pinehurst for his 80th birthday. We went all out taking on No.
4, No. 2, and No. 10 across two days.
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