The holes were renumbered in the 1950s to accommodate the Bells new lodging and different beginning and ending points to the layout, but otherwise each hole sits exactly where it was 73 years ago. Several holes have been lengthened and some bunkers relocated to allow for longer ball flights, and the greens today are lickety-split bentgrass instead of their original base of sand and clay. Otherwise, the course is vintage Donald Ross. I like to play Pine Needles more than anywhere around here. There s something new every time you play it.
Nothing is ever the same.
It s a perfect venue. With the history of the area, the tradition, the quality of the golf course, it lends itself to an Open. This is the kind of place you expect for a U.S. Open. The players will be vexed as they drop what seems to be a half a shot here and a half a shot there on seemingly benign holes, only to tally their score after 18 and stare at four-over. But they ll relish the process.