Pinewild (Magnolia)

The Pinehurst area is one of the most fruitful ZIP codes for American golf, and residents will be forgiven if they aim to avoid the crowds. With that in mind, the Pinewild Country Club opened its first course during 1989, and has since added a second 18 and a nine-hole par three course. The original remains the most celebrated course at the club, and one of North Carolina-based architect Gene Hamm’s most cherished designs as well.

The intent for the course has been made clear by both the yardage (nearly 7,500 yards) and a phrase borrowed from the members: “No bark, all bite.” The club hosted the LPGA’s Pinewild Women’s Championship during 1995 when Rosie Jones beat Dottie Pepper at the first sudden-death playoff hole.

The course sets the tone early, opening with its longest hole, a 625-yard slog through an alley defended by bunkers and the club’s title pines. The closing hole will be a little bit shorter, at “just” 550 yards, but where only trees existed along the opener’s fairway, this long hole also brings water into play along the left side for nearly 300 yards.

If you get bent out of shape at Pinewild, we hear there are a number of other courses in the area that you might try.