THE MERE MENTION OF PINEHURST brings to mind visions
of longleaf pines swaying in the breeze, slightly rolling sandy terrain
sprinkled with oversized pinecones and pine straw, and quality golf,
far and wide.
For neighboring Virginians, the golf mecca of Pinehurst, Southern
Pines and Aberdeen is just a short drive away and well worth a few
hours on the highway to stroll some of the most respected fairways
in the world. In fact, there are 40 championship courses here in this
North Carolina destination called the “Home of American Golf.”
“The Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area of North
Carolina is historically a golf destination and has been for over 100
years,” said Claire Berggren, director of marketing for the area’s
convention and visitor’s bureau.
FINE NINE
Pinehurst No. 2 pictured below, no
doubt, is the crown jewel of all courses
in this region of the North Carolina
Sandhills. It hosted both the 2014 U.S.
Open and U.S. Women’s Open in con-
secutive championships that show-
cased the return of nearly 35 acres of
previously manicured turf to native
wire grasses, hardpan and natural bun-
ker edging as originally intended by
legendary designer Donald Ross.
If you are skilled enough to play
from the tips, this par-70 masterpiece
stretches 7,565 yards. The course is
renowned for its undulating and
crowned greens, and a layout that is
designed to offer strategic choices. A
big part of the experience in playing
No. 2 is utilizing the knowledge of pro-
fessional caddies, either with a forecad-
die for your foursome or your own
personal caddie.
And if your game needs more gener-
ous fairways, less punitive greens and
less strategy than what is required by
No. 2 or even the Jack Nicklaus-de-
signed Pinehurst No. 9, try No. 3, the
shortest Ross course (5,722 yards)
that features classic design and small
elevated greens. A total of nine Pine-
hurst courses (800-ITSGOLF) crafted
by Ross, Tom Fazio, Ellis Maples, Rees
Jones and Nicklaus offer outstanding
golf for every player.
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