By Brad King
Calling these “the best of times” around the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area of North Carolina might seem like it’s saying a lot, but sometimes the shoe simply fits.
Just take a look at everything that is currently happening around the ‘Home of American Golf.’
Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club recently celebrated its fourth U.S. Women’s Open and was a rousing success, crowning another worthy champion, Minjee Lee. The 26-year-old Australian joined her mentor, 2001 champion Karrie Webb, along with Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam and Cristie Kerr on the Pine Needles Wall of Champions.
Soon after the final putt dropped at Pine Needles, thoughts around the Sandhills turned to its next national championship, the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. It will be one of five U.S. Open Championships in the area by 2047, including another back-to-back Men’s and Women’s U.S. Open at No. 2 in 2029. The USGA also staged the inaugural U.S. Adaptive Open in July on Pinehurst No. 6, plus the event will return next year, as well.
All of which is part of the USGA’s historic move to establish its second home in Pinehurst. In an effort to expand its impact in golf and extend its mission to champion and advance the game, the USGA is in the midst of constructing “Golf House Pinehurst,” a six-acre campus that will be completed by the end of 2023. It will include a new equipment-testing facility, innovation hub, museum and visitor center, and offices housing 50 full-time USGA staff members.
The USGA Experience will present an immersive view of golf and the USGA’s work to unify, showcase, govern and advance the game. Designed by Luci Creative, the Science of Golf and Championship galleries will feature interactive multimedia displays that incorporate augmented reality, interactive touch screens, sculptures and trophies. The USGA Golf Museum Special Exhibitions will uncover the organization’s deep collection of golf artifacts – the most comprehensive collection in the world.
The USGA’s Research and Test Center will be the only one of its kind in North America solely dedicated to testing golf balls and clubs for conformance to the Rules of Golf. At the USGA Shop, golfers will be able to purchase various products with the USGA championship logo of their choice as well as exhibit-related specialty items.
The USGA is also partnering with Pinehurst Resort to construct an outdoor testing pavilion and STEM education space near the resort’s main practice facility, including a mechanical golfer and ball launcher to demonstrate and evaluate golf ball aerodynamics.
“We love being a part of the Home of American Golf and bringing this vision to life,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA.
In addition, the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Championship will be contested at The Country Club of North Carolina’s Dogwood Course, originally designed by Ellis Maples and Willard Byrd and considered one of the state’s top five courses. CCNC has a long history of hosting elite golf championships, including the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Girls and Boys Junior Championships, Southern Amateur and North Carolina Amateur.
For fans of the latest in golf technology, Talamore Resort has recently debuted its Toptracer Range. Talamore guests can experience interactive golf powered by Toptracer Range technology, which uses high-speed cameras, coupled with sophisticated computer algorithms, to provide instantaneous ball tracking information.
“There are so many different things you can do with it. You can play other courses including Pinehurst No. 2 or Pebble Beach, you can play Topgolf, you can do long drives, you can do closest to the pins,” said Talamore Golf Resort General Manager Matt Hausser. “We have so much repeat business, it’s nice for them to keep coming back and finding something else here. We have 10 bays, so 40 people can use Toptracer Range at one time. It will be open till dark and the halfway house is conveniently located for food and drinks.”
In addition, the entire Talamore practice range has been upgraded and a new, 15,000-square-foot putting course is being installed between the driving range and the 10th tee boxes that is expected to open in early fall. Guests can warm up or practice on the putting course, while waiting for Toptracer, or simply settling a few friendly wagers, after their round.
Longtime Pinehurst resident and golf legend, Peggy Kirk Bell’s family owns Pines Needles, Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club and Southern Pines Golf Club. They recently renovated Southern Pines and are planning to build a large practice putting green, as well as a handful of new cottages there, as well.
Pinehurst Resort has reportedly been planning to announce Pinehurst No. 10 at some point soon, while a new distillery and a new hotel are also on the drawing board for the area. In addition, the North Carolina DOT has recommended replacing the Pinehurst Traffic Circle with a traditional interchange, which is expected to smooth the flow of traffic around the area.
“This destination is always evolving, always building for the future,” said Phil Werz, president and CEO of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines Aberdeen Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “We’re not a bucket list destination, we’re a place we want people to keep choosing because there’s something new to see and do every time they return.”
The best of times in the Home of American Golf? That time is now. Learn more at www.HomeofGolf.com.
