Coore and Crenshaw restoration brings new life to 2014 U.S. Open host Pinehurst No. 2

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. -- The classic No. 2 golf course at Pinehurst Resort is back -- in a big way.

After spending much of 2010 under the knife, the 2014 U.S. Open host has reopened with a brand new, sandier look. The renovation of Donald Ross' masterpiece was put in the hands of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. The two spent a lot of time looking at former pictures and blueprints of the design and did their best to restore it to its sandier state.

One of the biggest changes was to reinstall a center-line irrigation system rather than their previous system that ran down both sides of the fairway. With the irrigation now only going about 15-20 yards in either direction, the bermuda rough is dying off and has been replaced with waste areas and wire grass. The greens were also reseeded with Penn G-2 and will be sodded with A1-A4 bent.

Two greens, No. 15 and No. 17, were redesigned, but the majority of the new look is in the rough and a more rugged look to the bunkers.

When Pinehurst No. 2 hosts the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open, expect to see something unlike anything you saw in 1999 and 2005.

Pinehurst No. 2 - hole 1

The approach on the first hole on Pinehurst No. 2 looks largely the same from tee to green, but new waste areas line each fairway.

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Pinehurst No. 2 - hole 2

In most cases the fairways, such as the par-4 second, were widened during the restoration of Pinehurst No. 2.

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Pinehurst No. 2 - hole 3

The short par-4 third hole is still one of the toughest approach shots at Pinehurst No. 2.

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Pinehurst No. 2 golf course - hole 5

The par-4 fifth, one of Pinehurst No. 2's most famous holes, is now more penal off the tee.

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Pinehurst No. 2 golf course - hole 4

The par-5 fourth hole at Pinehurst No. 2 had bunkers rebuilt and waste areas added beside the fairway on each side.

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Pinehurst No. 2 golf course - irrigation

One of the biggest changes at Pinehurst No. 2 came under the ground. The center-cut irrigation system was brought back (evidenced by the line that runs down each fairway).

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Pinehurst No. 2 golf course

Pinehurst No. 2 will host the 2014 U.S Open and U.S. Women's Open.

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Pinehurst No. 2 golf course - hole 6

The par-3 sixth hole can play as long as 223 yards for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

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Pinehurst No. 2 golf course - hole 8

The par-5 eighth hole heads gently downhill at Pinehurst No. 2.

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Pinehurst No. 2 golf course - rough

There is virtually no rough on Pinehurst No. 2 now, only waste area and wire grass.

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Pinehurst No. 2 golf course - hole 16

The par-5 16th hole at Pinehurst No. 2 features plenty of bunkers up by the green that were rebuilt during the restoration.

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Pinehurst No. 2 golf course - hole 17

The par-3 17th hole is still an intimidating shot at Pinehurst No. 2.

Brandon Tucker/TravelGolf