Tom Doak has signed to design Pinehurst No. 10. Pinehurst Resort will break ground on its first new golf course in nearly three decades this month.
Located four miles south of the main resort clubhouse, the highly-acclaimed architect’s 18-hole routing is expected to open in late spring of 2024, coinciding with the return of the U.S. Open to Pinehurst No. 2.
With natural ridgelines, intriguing landforms, towering longleaf pines, streams and ponds, Doak envisions a course that complements the resort’s other courses through its contrasts.
“The site is topographically distinct and drastically different from anywhere in Pinehurst,” Doak said “It’s bigger, bolder and more dramatic. There’s about 75 feet of elevation change, and we’ll work our way up to it around the mid-point of the layout. You’ll have expansive views from this apex over the rest of the course. It will be an unforgettable experience for golfers.
“The Number One things that excited us about the project is working with the beautiful sand that’s native to the region. The sand, the wiregrass, the bluestem, and other native grasses that grow around the Sandhills create a fabulous texture for golf. It’s something most places just don’t have.’
The new course will incorporate rugged dunes that were mined at the location at the turn of the 20th century, and feature the native sand and wiregrass that are characteristic to the area.
“Tom Doak builds incredible golf courses on sand and we’re excited to see what he’ll create in the North Carolina Sandhills,” says Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley. “We’ve worked with some amazing golf architects who’ve embraced our natural aesthetic and believe Tom will do something fantastic on this site.”
Doak first visited Pinehurst more than 40 years ago. He rates Donald Ross’ No. 2 masterpiece as a perfect “10” in his book “The Confidential Guide to Golf Courses.” Doak was one of the more vocal supporters of its restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.
Doak has named Angela Moser as his lead design associate for this project. Moser’s icredentials include work at LACC North, St. Patrick’s Links, Te Arai Links and Ohoopee Match Club.
Photo: Tom Doak (Pinehurst Resort)