Excerpt from an article about the greens rebuilding at P#2
GREENS RESTORATION
"The arduous process of green restoration, which took place in 1996 and 1997, began with an extensive survey of the existing greens. This resulted in a grid that allowed surveyors to apply between 600 to 700 points of reference per green. These references ensured the precise re-establishment of the greens to their initial shape and size. The work then started in earnest. Workers dug out by hand the new drainage lines and trenches needed for the future putting surfaces. The design team re-created the original green slopes at this lower height, thus ensuring consistent drainage and moisture content of the topsoil. Again, the greens were surveyed to make sure the original measurements had been duplicated. Any slight variances were altered by hand. With the original green design re-created with a soil base to ensure a healthy environment, the final step included the seeding of the putting surface with a new type of bentgrass referred to as Penn G-2. An advantage of this hybrid is that it establishes a deep, strong root system, producing a grass that can be cut to the low height required by a U.S. Open and withstand the summer heat and humidity of North Carolina.
Other changes took place on the course at the same time, but were simple compared to the work done on the greens. For example, the fairways were converted to a type of Bermuda grass called the 419 Hybrid Bermuda, which is perfect for the Pinehurst weather conditions. As with the Penn G-2, this grass can be cut low even in high heat, which, again, helps assure perfect fairway conditions during the tournament. These grass concerns are important because this will be only the second U.S. Open played on Bermuda grass fairways. In addition, during 1997 and 1998, the course bunkers were returned to their original depth, with new sand replacing the old. Interestingly enough, very few other changes have been made to the course other than the usual preparations for public seating, corporate tents, and tournament management necessities"
And what the arch. said:
"And, of course, he recently completed work on Pinehurst No. 2, which Jones describes as Donald Ross’ “ultimate test of golf.” That wasn’t quite how Jones found No. 2, however, when the doctor came calling.
The signature Ross-crowned greens had virtually shrunk from the effects of motorized mowers. But thanks to the extensive research by No. 2’s course superintendent Paul Jett, collaboration with the U.S. Golf Association, and the surgically precise massaging by Jones, the new bentgrass now slides over the slope of the greens so it releases the ball, creating what Ross had originally intended — one of the greatest recovery, chipping, and putting challenges in the game.
“I wanted to restore it as close [to its original state] as possible,” Jones explains. “Architects are in a period of rebuilding and revering classics. We’re back to building shot options.” The result is a par-70 Pinehurst No. 2 representing “the way golf should be played,” Jones describes. “You have to think about every shot.”