Building a new course grand enough to celebrate Pinehurst’s first 100 years might intimidate some architects, but Tom Fazio took on the assignment with gusto. No. 8 – which opened in 1996 – combines classic Donald Ross concepts with the whimsical snarls that have become Fazio’s calling card.

Fazio took full advantage of the 420 acres of rolling terrain and natural wetlands to fashion a course that’s visually enthralling and challenging yet fun to play; it’s a nod to No. 2, but hardly a replication. Many feel No. 8 synthesizes all the elements of the Pinehurst golf experience into one layout.