Umstead Pines

Umstead Pines Golf and Swim Club emerged rebranded during 2007 from the former Willowhaven Country Club. The good news, for the general public, is that the same George Cobb golf course would now be available for the general public.

Cobb may be best known for his work at Augusta National, both designing the famous par three course as well as his renovations to Alister MacKenzie’s famous design. These changes were made just a few years after his work at now-Umstead Pines, and some similarities can be seen. Those with a sharp eye may spot the resemblance between No. 8 and Umstead and No. 3 at Augusta. Although Cobb did not design the Augusta hole, he was responsible for the cluster of small bunkers at the corner of the dogleg, and it’s a strategy mirrored from this short par four at Umstead.

The following par three, featuring a long carry over a lake, will also harken to the annual par three contest. No. 18 is a standalone original, however, as Cobb levels up the challenge on the bunker at the corner of the dogleg by placing a tree right in the middle of the sand hazard.