The Thrill Of Playing Pinehurst No. 2

Pinehurst No. 2

Pinehurst No. 2

This average Golfer (left), Our Caddy Daniel and Golfing buddy Jerry

This average Golfer (left), Our Caddy Daniel and Golfing buddy Jerry

From the tee box of hole 8, my only par for the day!

From the tee box of hole 8, my only par for the day!

On Father’s Day, this average golfer had the thrill of playing Pinehurst No. 2! I am very fortunate as my very best golf  buddy in Pinehurst is the father of the head golf pro at Pinehurst, Rob Pilewski. Rob had us over to play No. 2 as neither of us had ever played that particular course. Words can’t describe what a thrill that day was! No. 2 is a cart path only course all the time and that’s how they keep it in great shape. There are exceptions, as my buddy, Jerry Pilewski, had injured his back so his son made arrangements for us to take a caddy who was allowed to drive a cart in the fairways. Sunday also happened to be the very day, June 21, that Payne Stewart won the Open there in 1999. Rob accompanied me in our cart and it was fun playing with the head golf pro from Pinehurst. I had some very big butterflies as we teed off on the first hole! For an average golfer I played quite well shooting a 101 from the green tees that are 5801 yards with a slop rating of 123. Blue tees on No. 2 are 6961 yards with a slope of 133, Whites play out at 6307 yards and 126 slope. The reason my 101 doesn’t look bad is because if you know anything about No. 2, it’s all about the greens. The typical Donald Ross greens are extremely difficult to land on and stay on! I played well getting to the green, but the undulations are treacherous! But, being an average golfer my score was great considering where I was playing. My best hole was the 419 yard, Par 5 eighth that I pared. I was on with a chip in three and two putted for the par. Needless to say, no matter what my score would be for the day, just to say that I have played the famous No. 2 was worth the 95° temperatures and it is a round of golf that I will never forget! Happy golfing from this average golfer!

Pinehurst No. 2 is Number 3

Here’s a quick video noting that Pinehurst No.  2 has made the top 10 of public courses, coming in at number 3. Like the rest of the east cost, it’s cold here in Pinehurst. It doesn’t look like there will be many on the links here this week, but Happy Golfing from this average golfer!

http://www.golfchannel.com/media/geoff-shackelford-previews-architects-week/