Pinehurst Resort is preparing to unveil its first new 18-hole course in almost thirty years, located on a sprawling 900-acre property known as Pinehurst Sandmines. The resort has plans to develop additional courses, a short course, a new clubhouse, and guest cottages on the property, which was acquired by the Dedman family in 2011. The name “Pinehurst Sandmines” pays tribute to the area’s history of mining sandy soil, which was used in construction projects across the U.S. including the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The property previously housed a golf course called The Pit, which operated for 25 years before closing in 2010. Pinehurst acquired the land in 2011 and enlisted architect Tom Doak’s firm to build the new course, known as No. 10, which features 75 feet of elevation change, rugged dunes, longleaf pines, wiregrass, and streams. The course is set to open this spring ahead of the U.S. Open’s return to Pinehurst’s No. 2 course in June. Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley envisions No. 10 as a place where the resort’s ambitious visions for the future can become reality.
The branding of Pinehurst Sandmines reflects the area’s industrial history, with a rail car featured in the logo to symbolize the property’s past mining operations. The course features a 25-foot sand deposit that frames the 8th hole, a nod to the area’s mining influence. Pinehurst will now have a total of 189 holes, making it one of the nation’s largest golf properties. Despite the expansion, there is still high demand for golf at the resort, as golf travel has been increasing and members are playing more than ever.
CEO Bob Dedman Jr. views the branding of Pinehurst Sandmines as a step forward in the resort’s evolution, with a nod to its past. The property’s unique landscape and history have been incorporated into the design of the new course, with reminders of the area’s mining heritage throughout. Pinehurst Resort’s commitment to honoring the history of the land while looking towards the future is evident in the development of No. 10 and the potential for further expansion and guest experiences at the Sandmines setting.
