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Gearing Up: Pinehurst No. 2 has heady task for 2014
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Published: June 29, 2009
Reg Jones, the managing director of the United States Golf Association for its U.S. Opens, hasn't had much time to hear feedback from folks in the Pinehurst area about what's coming in 2014.
That's when the USGA will do something that it's never done -- hold the men's and women's Opens a week apart at the same course. Jones, who lives in Pinehurst, says that playing both championships at Pinehurst Resort's famous No. 2 course will be special.
"I can't think of a better place to try this," Jones said last week after returning from Long Island following one of the longest U.S. Opens in recent memory.
At Bethpage Black, rain turned the tournament into a survival test -- for the players and the USGA officials -- and it spilled over into a Monday finish.
Jones, a Wake Forest graduate, first worked at Pinehurst Resort in championship management and was a big reason that the USGA formed a great relationship with the resort. No. 2 previously played host to the men's U.S. Open in 1999 and 2005.
The added twist in 2014 is conducting the men's and women's U.S. Opens in back-to-back weeks.
Logistically, it makes sense for the USGA: It can prepare for two championships and cut down on travel and expenses. The course setup will obviously be different in length, but the exciting part, according to Jones, is giving golf fans in North Carolina a chance to see both Opens.
Bob Dedman, the owner of Pinehurst Resort, was in Long Island for the announcement. He said it's a unique challenge to play host to two major championships in a row.
"The entire Pinehurst team is excited at the opportunity to make history, and deeply committed to the success of these two national championships," he said.
Jones says he first heard about the idea in February when David Fay, the USGA executive director, started to talk to officials at Pinehurst Resort.
The U.S. Women's Open was well received at Pine Needles in 1996, 2001 and 2007, another Donald Ross course. The women have never played an Open at No. 2.
"We've had the men at No. 2, but I just think having the women there as well will spark even more interest," Jones said.
Another challenge will be the stress on the course. Can it take two straight weeks of constant play from the best men's and women's players in the world in the summer heat?
Kelly Miller, the president and CEO of Pine Needles, told reporters soon after the announcement that it will be different to see the Open down the road at No. 2 instead of Pine Needles.
"Obviously we wish them well," he said. "Pinehurst and the USGA. Is there some disappointment? Sure there is. Nevertheless, it's a great opportunity for the gals to play Pinehurst No. 2."
Jones, who has been with the USGA since 2006, said that before 2014 there will be a plan in place for different scenarios. The first question is what happens if the men's Open goes to a Monday playoff? It would cut down a day of practice for the women.
"That's definitely one of the wrinkles we will have to work out," Jones said. "But at the same time, with so many courses and options we have, I don't see that as being a major problem -- if it happens."
The USGA can't put on successful Opens without the help of its dedicated volunteers. Getting enough to cover two weeks in a row isn't something Jones says he is worried about.
"You look at the North and South and the U.S. Kids, there are something like 500 to 600 volunteers and they are there two weeks in a row," Jones said. "This area has really embraced the open in past years and I think it will be the same this time around."
Spence completes redesign
Kris Spence, a golf-course designer who lives in Greensboro, has completed an extensive redesign at the Country Club of Spartanburg in South Carolina.
The course, which originally opened with nine holes in 1908, was expanded to 18 holes in the 1950s.
The project included the reconstruction of all greens, tees and bunkers, plus the installation of a new irrigation system. Substantial drainage improvements were implemented, and there was a tree-removal program to improve playing conditions.
Spence, who also redesigned Forsyth Country Club and Sedgefield Country Club, said: "The lay of the land is just incredible, which eased the task of creating great holes. The members were supportive of new ideas for the course and embraced our concept of creating a course with strategic options and the character and feel of the classic era of golf architecture."
The new course measures 6,648 yards from the back tees and is a par 72.
Around the green
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Kyle Stanley, one of the three amateurs who made the cut at the U.S. Open, will play in the Wyndham Championship in August at Sedgefield Country Club. Stanley turned pro right after the U.S. Open. Mark Brazil, the tournament director, will give Stanley, a former star at Clemson, a sponsor's exemption….
Lucas Glover, a former Clemson star who won the U.S. Open, didn't back out of his commitment to play in the Travelers Championship. He could have gone back home to Greenville, S.C. and rested up, but wasn't about to turn his back on the tournament. "I like the tournament, I like the course and I'm playing well," he said before the first round of the Travelers. "Why not play there?" It's refreshing to see a young player see the big picture about fulfilling his commitments….
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■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or at jdell@wsjournal.com.
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