Fairway Faceoff

Story and Photography by Derrick Zellmann

My first visit to Pinehills Golf Club took place early one June morning, just moments before the sun had risen and raked its light across the dew-capped fairways. The conditions were perfect for touring two of the region’s most highly acclaimed golf courses: the Jones Course and the Nicklaus Course.

The journey to the first hole on the Nicklaus Course is unique. A winding pathway skirts woods and split-rail fences and travels along dirt roads where pairs of blue birds swoop beside golf carts like a motorcade escorting golfers to the first tee. This pathway provides a pre-round exhale as well as a glimpse into the course’s unique characteristics.

Designed by Jack Nicklaus II, the president of Nicklaus Design and son of legendary golfer Jack Niklaus, aka the “Golden Bear,” the course feels like it was carefully carved out of the existing landscape, paying homage to the beauty and balance of the coastal woodlands. Tall trees sway and surround you like an intimidating gallery of fans. Filled with smooth elevation changes and narrow, angular turns, it is reminiscent of a bobsled course, where trouble could arise quickly but success is sure to bring incredible excitement. The track is as impressive as the Golden Bear himself, and it is no surprise the Nicklaus Course is enjoyed by golfers of any skill level.

In complete contrast the Jones Course quickly asserted its boisterous, exciting, and grandiose personality within just a few holes. Through the scale of its views and the depths of its valleys I began imagining the thrill of hitting the shots this course dares you to try. And while its first impression may be more intimidating with sprawling bunkers and a few knee-knocking tee shots, there are plenty of moments around the course that allow golfers a pause to appreciate its beauty. Jones feels lush. A complete palate with every shade of green used to paint 18 inspiring pictures. The deep and daunting ravines play the part of negative space that is just as important as the perfectly manicured greens creating an aesthetic that sits perfectly between rugged and refined. The Jones collection is a perfect example of why golfers become so obsessed with this game.

It is the stories and relationships created during a round of golf that cement a course’s character. This was confirmed when I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with a group of Pinehills Golf Club regulars. I quickly learned that the styles of each course are just as divided as the passionate opinions on which one is considered superior, fueling a fun rivalry that is constantly up for debate.

Q+A with Pinehills Golfers: Diane Bradanese, Sandra Lucier, Ellen Melly, Fran Friend, and Beth Rogers and John Rogers.

Which is your favorite course, Nicklaus or Jones, and why?

"It was always Nick because I have scored well on Nick, and I had a hole in one on Nick. But I would say that I have converted to Jones since they changed the nines around. I love the way it plays now; how you start and how the finishing hole ends your round. The 18th is beautiful. You see the clubhouse, the water on each side, the fountain. You need a nice finishing hole.” - Diane

“The Nick. I enjoy both courses because of the variety that it gives us which adds a lot of value to our membership to have those choices. But I would say the Nick because I live on the eleventh hole and when I par or better the hole, I’ll go out on my deck after the round to relive that moment again.” - Sandra

“Jones is my favorite and it’s because I live on the 18th hole and it’s just so fun to watch everybody play that hole. And so often on the 18th people play two balls, especially later in the day when it’s the last hurrah. If they hit a terrible shot, they’ll run up and grab another ball. So my husband and I make bets when they go up on if they’re going to go hit one or two? And it’s usually two.” -Ellen

“The Jones. I always liked the Nick better because it seemed more manageable but after they switched the nines, I really like the Jones now. It’s a little more challenging. I think it helps me work on my game a little bit more. They’re both beautiful courses. We’re lucky to have both.” - Beth

“Both. I have favored the Jones course lately. I really love it. But I have to say that I’ve shot under my age three times on Nicklaus, so it’s kind of hard to pick one over the other” - John

“I like the Jones best, even though I live on the Nick. I think it’s more challenging. You have to really think about your shots because of the elevations and the descending holes. So it makes me think about my game more than when I’m on the Nick.” - Fran

What is your favorite memory from playing your favorite course?

“The par three 16th on Jones. It was my first time out that spring and I got a hole-in-one. And it was with my best friend, so that was great. She’s got a great picture of me celebrating and I said, ‘this is gonna be a good season.’” - Diane

“I was out playing with my husband and I shot a 79. That was my best score on the Pinehills courses. So, it was a great day.” - Sandra

“Jones is my favorite but my favorite memories are all the people I’ve met here playing both courses. I’ve met such fabulous people and the memories continue. That’s what I love about this place.” - Ellen

“This is tough but one of my favorite memories was on

The Nick. I shot in 84 one day, and I rarely shoot in the

80s. I came into the clubhouse and I was looking at a Scotty Cameron and I’m like, oh, no, I can’t buy it. It’s too expensive. I’m not that good. And then John Tuffin asked me ‘what did you shoot today?’ After I told him he said ‘you need to buy that!’” - Beth

“I think my favorite memory was my eagle on Nicklaus 18 from about 160 yards out. Yeah, that was a great memory.” - John

“One of my favorite moments was when I first moved here and the day I joined a league called Chicks with Sticks. It was where I met all of my really good girlfriends and the people I now play with on a regular basis. They’ve stayed my friends forever. And another favorite was on Jones, my favorite course, when I had a hole-in-one with really good friends. That was another great moment.” - Fran

What has golf meant to you?

“It’s kind of become everything. I didn’t start golfing till I was in my 40s but you can as long as you have your health. I’ve met so many great people. And you can build it into travel to all sorts of destinations. It’s been great. I don’t know what I would be doing if I didn’t have golf.” - Diane

“I think it’s everything. It’s friendship. It’s the fresh air. It’s staying active. It’s something I enjoy that my husband and I do together. And we have made so many friendships moving to a community like The Pinehills. It’s just a great way to meet new people.” - Sandra

“Golf is what I call my therapy. It’s terrible to say, but I almost don’t care about the score. I’ll go home and my husband doesn’t ask what my score was, he’ll ask, ‘did you have fun?’ It really is about the wonderful people I’ve met golfing as well as the staff here. They are just amazing.” - Ellen

“I started to play golf because both my parents played and they played until they were almost 90. I especially love that my husband John and I get to play together. And I just love the social aspect. We have made wonderful friends, we’ve had wonderful times, and it’s been such a big part of our lives since we’ve been together.” - Beth

“It was never a big part of my life until I met Beth. I never really played until she dragged me out on the course when we first met. It’s just one of the few sports where you can play with your spouse and enjoy it for a long, long time. I just wish that she would stop beating me on the course.” - John

“Before I retired, I enjoyed the competition in golf and now it’s all about the social aspect of it. I look forward to Fridays because I’m gonna be with my really good friends and then we get to go eat and drink and enjoy time together.” - Fran