If you are one of the lucky ones that signed up early, you are in for a treat when you play Mid Pines. But bring your ‘A” Game to this gem as this course remains exactly as Donald Ross designed it in 1921. However, there are a few openings, so all is not lost if you want to compete but don’t tarry. For early season competition, there are good scores to be had. Many people have characterized the Mid-Pines as “pure Donald Ross” because of how it fits the land where it was built. It has few forced carries or artificial or contrived holes. Says Lee Pace, writing about the course in Pinehurst magazine: “Mid Pines was never conceived as a daunting task to the finest players competing under championship conditions … Mid Pines was intended simply as a fun course with adequate challenge for members and guests of a private club and resort.” The par-3s are among the most popular holes and perhaps the most photographed hole on the course is the par-3 No.2. You'll need an uphill shot from elevated tee boxes to an elevated green that makes for a tough target to hit. There's a distance of 178 yards from the back tees and 116 from the front. The fourth hole is a par-4 that measures 330 from the back tees and 249 from the forward. “It's a classic Donald Ross”. “It's a par 4 with a fairway that slopes from left to right and has a well-guarded green. It's not challenging due to distance but you can either make a three on that hole or a seven.” Your approach shot with a short iron must be very precise and your ball can easily hit onto the green only to roll off again. It helps on this course to be able to work a ball from left-to-right and from right-to-left on various holes. A good example is the dogleg right 9th hole, a par-4 that measures 340 yards from the back and 294 from the front. The greens often seem particularly small, particularly in comparison with the large-sized monster putting surfaces of modern courses. Mid Pines is definitely a reminder of the times when life was simpler and golf was golf. But, if you don’t bring your game of accurate drives, precise iron play and nerves of still putting, it will be a long day. There are a few positions still available To register to play, call or email Bruce at 336- 495-6556 or behgolf@aol.com. There are a few positions still available. Details: February 20th, 2010 Mid-Pines Resort Fee is $70.00 10:00 AM Shotgun 1010 MIDLAND ROAD SOUTHERN PINES, NC, US 28387 (910)692-9362 EGOLF & HARRIS TEETER SR TOUR EVENT MID-PINES GOLF RESORT 2009 WINNERS BY FLIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP Jay Floyd, Morrisville 76 A FLIGHT Doug Masters, Clemmons 79 B FLIGHT Richard Pfister, Pittsboro 82 C FLIGHT Dale Rucker, Laurel Hill 91