After years of anticipation, The Pines Course at New England’s only private 36-hole pure golf club, The International Golf Club in Massachusetts, officially opened for play on June 6, 2025, and the response was everything we hoped for and more. Designed by the legendary duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, this course truly celebrates New England’s land, the game, and the deep golf heritage of the Club.
“This piece of property is outstanding. It has a legacy. We knew it from a long time ago,” said Ben Crenshaw.
Opening Weekend: A Celebration from Friday to Sunday
The Pines officially opened for Member play at The International Golf Club, situated just 35 miles outside of Boston, Massachusetts, on June 6, kicking off a three-day celebration filled with energy, community, and unforgettable golf. Over 80 Members were welcomed each day, ready to experience the new layout and walk the reborn land.
The weekend began with a warm welcome at the first tee—breakfast tacos, a fully stocked bar, and commemorative Pines Course hats created a festive start. It was also the debut of our new caddy program with CADDIEMASTER®, designed to enhance the course’s walkability and elevate the world-class, golf-first experience from the very first round.
Each day brought its own character. A lightning delay briefly interrupted Friday’s play, but spirits stayed high. Members gathered in the clubhouse, swapping stories and raising a glass to the future of The Pines. Saturday brought steadier rain, but that didn’t stop anyone. Umbrellas opened, players walked on, and the buzz around the course never waned.
By Sunday, the excitement had only grown. Players couldn’t stop talking about their favorite holes, though an informal Instagram poll revealed no clear winner, proving just how memorable the entire routing truly is.
“If we’ve done our job properly,” Coore noted, “you could sit down, have conversations, and no one at the table would pick the same hole as their favorite. That’s when we know we’ve done it right.”
The weekend culminated with a fireside chat featuring Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, where Members enjoyed drinks, appetizers, and intimate conversation with the visionaries behind the course. “This is going to get better and better and better,” Coore said. “And I do not think we could possibly be more pleased with what we saw this morning.”
The Journey Behind The Pines Course
Once known as America’s longest golf course, The Pines has been entirely reimagined, not restored. Over the past three years, Coore & Crenshaw created a brand-new routing from the ground up. Not a single hole corridor or green site remains from the previous layout.
The result is a par 71 stretching just over 7,000 yards from the back tees, artfully draped across rolling terrain. With an emphasis on rhythm, strategy, and natural flow, the new design reflects Coore & Crenshaw’s signature philosophy: minimalist, walkable, and deeply connected to the land.
“Ben and I both came to believe this site, these land forms, the soil conditions, the vegetation, everything is so conducive to what we would think of as really interesting golf,” said Coore. “Not just golf for the sake of length and difficulty.”
Fairways, tees, and rough are planted with fescue, while 007XL bentgrass graces the greens. The decision to use warm beige sand rather than stark white bunkers reinforces the natural aesthetic, blending the course seamlessly into its surroundings.
“Our hope for this golf course is that it requires every shot and every club in the bag—and inspires and challenges golfers to get better at the game,” said Crenshaw.
In contrast to the bold lines of the Tom Fazio-designed Oaks Course—renovated by Tripp Davis in 2022—the Pines offers quiet sophistication. It’s timeless, rugged, and uniquely its own.
“I think this course has great individual character,” Coore added. “When you see it—whether in person or a photograph—you know exactly where you are. Because in some ways, it’s unlike any other.”
A Collective Effort, A Shared Vision
While Coore & Crenshaw’s design philosophy is evident in every fairway and green, The Pines wouldn’t be what it is today without the dedication and expertise of those who brought the vision to life day in and day out.
“I just could not be happier with the staff, the people who are here and what’s happened since we left,” Coore shared. “To get the golf course through the winter—to get it grown in, first of all—and to the point it is now, it is 100% on track.”
That achievement didn’t happen by accident. This results from the relentless work of The International’s agronomy team and supporting staff. Their care and commitment have made all the difference, from shaping the land and nurturing the turf to navigating unpredictable weather and ensuring playability.
“We couldn’t be prouder of what we see,” said Crenshaw. “It’s the culmination of so many people’s work and planning. Escalante showed a lot of confidence in us.”
We are immensely grateful to our staff for their passion, professionalism, and tireless efforts—not just during the lead-up to the opening weekend but every single day they’ve spent helping shape one of Greater Boston’s premier golf destinations.
A Vision Realized, A Future Awaiting
The unveiling of The Pines is just the beginning. Since acquiring The International in 2021, Escalante Golf has invested over $45 million into revitalizing and elevating every corner of the club. The Oaks Course came first. With The Pines complete, attention turns to building overnight cottages for Members, followed by a brand-new clubhouse and expanded amenities.
The vision is clear. The momentum is real. And the best is yet to come.
We invite you to be part of it—walk the land, play the course, and experience the future of private golf in Greater Boston.
