Pinehurst - Southern Pines, NC Home of American Golf

Pinehurst Resort is at the top of Travel and Leisure list of "World's Best Golf Resorts" and Golf Digest has  selected the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of North Carolina as one of the top three golfing destinations in the world! This is the place where legends have come to design courses that will crown their careers. Donald Ross, Ellis Maples, Rees Jones, Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have all worked their magic here, creating some of the most outstanding golf courses in the country. The area is literally steeped in the history of the sport and its the place where the first driving range opened for business. For all of these reasons it comes as no surprise that golf aficionados consider the area the home of American golf.  Steeped in tradition, the 1999 and 2005 US Open Championship was held at Pinehurst Resort on Pinehurst No. 2 to rave reviews. In 2007, the U.S. Women's Open Championship will return to Pine Needles for the third time. There's never been a better time to time to visit and enjoy golf in North Carolina and we're pleased to provide the following for your consideration. 
 
Beacon Ridge Golf & Country Club - Designed by Gene Hamm, this course demands accuracy and the full use of a variety of clubs. Challenging for golfers of all levels. Restaurant, range, putting/chipping green and meeting rooms. Swimming and tennis.  Address: 6000 Longleaf Dr., P.O. Box 6000, West End, NC 27376 

The Carolina - Designed by Arnold Palmer this course takes advantage of dramatic elevation changes and preserved natural wetlands, producing a challenging layout for all levels of play. Address: 277 Ave. of the Carolina, Whispering Pines, NC 28327. 

The Club At Longleaf - Designed by Dan Maples this is one of the most popular and playable golf courses in the Pinehurst Area. Many find The Club At Longleaf to be challenging and diverse. Address: 2001 Midland Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387.

Country Club of Whispering Pines - Designed by the world-famous Ellis Maples, this privately-owned Country Club offers two championship golf courses that are rated among the best in the Carolinas. Address: 2 Clubhouse Boulevard, Whispering Pines, NC 28327. 

Deercroft Golf & Country Club - Experience "the best-kept secret in the Sandhills," as quoted by Golf Digest. Site of the 1986 PGA Tour Qualifier. Rated 3-1/2 stars by Golf Digest's Places to Play. Located just outside the Pinehurst Area on Hwy 15-501 South. Address: Deercroft Drive, Wagram, NC 28396.

Legacy Golf Links - The only golf course in the Pinehurst Area to successfully combine a public course with private amenities. Legacy, a Jack Nicklaus II Golden Bear Design, has received both 4-1/2 stars and Great Value ratings from Golf Digest's Places to Play Guide. Host site of 2000 Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. Address: PO Box 1158, Aberdeen, NC 28315. 
     
Little River Farm - Once an equestrian landmark, "The Farm" has been transformed into a legendary championship golf course. From its 200 foot elevation changes, winding rivers and thick forests, to its unsurpassed course condition, Little River Farm is a must play. Address: 500 Little River Farm Road, Carthage, NC 28327. 

Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club - Ross design, rated 4-1/2 stars by Golf Digest, this classic course has remained unchanged through the years with all of the Ross trademarks still in place: small undulating greens, narrow fairways and a wide variety of holes to challenge any golfer. Address: 1010 Midland Rd., Southern Pines, NC 28387. 

National Golf Club - A masterpiece designed by Jack Nicklaus and set amidst the longleaf pines of Southern Pines, this 18-hole championship layout features classic Nicklaus architecture: wide fairways, lush course conditions, and undulating putting surfaces that will  challenge your mind and ability.Swimming and tennis. Address: One Royal Troon Drive, Pinehurst, NC 28374. 

Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club - This classic Donald Ross course has hosted the 1996 and 2001 U.S. Women's Open and has been awarded the Championship again in 2007. World-renowned instruction and practice facilities, all wrapped up with Southern hospitality. Address: 1005 Midland Rd., Southern Pines, NC 28387.  

Pinehurst Resort - For over a century the legends of golf have honed their skills at this premier resort which offers 144 holes of challenge and drama, from the classic designs of Donald Ross and Ellis Maples to the modern concepts of Rees Jones and Tom Fazio. Site of the PGA 1999 and 2005 U.S. Open Championships, this resort has much to offer and must be experienced to be appreciated. Swimming and tennis Address: PO Box 4000, Village of Pinehurst, NC 28374.  

Pinewild Country Club - Offering two championship courses which are both stunning and challenging to golfers of all levels. The Magnolia was designed by Eugene Hamm and has played host to the PGA Tour Qualifying School, as well as the LPGA's Pinewild Championship in 1995. The Holly, a Gary Player Signature Course, is fast becoming an area favorite due to its panoramic beauty and risk-reward layout. Address: PO Box 3369, Pinehurst, NC 28374.

The Pit Golf Links - Rated as one of the Top 50 Public Courses in America and one of the Top 10 courses in North Carolina by Golf Digest. This Dan Maples original was sculpted from a 230-acre sand quarry into a truly one-of-a-kind course. Location: Hwy 5, Pitlink Lane, Aberdeen, NC 28315. 

Seven Lakes Country Club - A championship, four-star course in a gated community. Designed by Peter Tufts, godson of Donald Ross. An enjoyable golf experience for players of all levels. Driving range, practice chipping and putting greens, tennis, restaurant and meeting rooms. Address: PO Box 686, West End, NC 27376. 

Talamore - Named as "The Best New Public Course in the South for 1992" and honored with a four-star ranking by Golf Digest, this 18-hole championship course was designed by Rees Jones. Address: 1595 Midland Rd., Southern Pines, NC 28387     

Tobacco Road - Rated 4-1/2 stars by Golf Digest you don't want to miss your opportunity to play "The Road" while on your Sandhills of NC golf vacation. Address: 442 Tobacco Road, Sanford, NC 27332.

Woodlake Featuring 36 holes of championship golf by two world class golf course designers, Ellis Maples and Arnold Palmer. Golf packages and schools; Real estate options; 1,130-acre lake. Casual and fine dining. Address: 150 Woodlake Blvd., Vass, NC 28394.  

TENNIS

While best known for world class golfing Pinehurst also offers a truly remarkable tennis facility. From 1994-96 the Pinehurst Resort was the site of the U.S. Clay Court Championships, an era that drew Patrick Rafter, David Wheaton, Todd Martin, Mats Wilander and the Woodies, among others. Relatively new improvements include a new tennis clubhouse, built to match in the same white clapboard exterior as the historic hotel. The resort has been successful in attracting many tennis events, including the National Men's 70 and 85 Championships and is frequented by USTA league players competing in various North Carolina tennis championships.

The 6 hard and 18 conscientiously maintained HAR-TRU courts are a five-minute walk from the historic hotel and so is the historic village of Pinehurst with its shops and restaurants. There's also a swimming pool at the hotel, croquet courts adjacent to the main golf clubhouse, an equestrian center and even a lake with a beach and marina.

In addition,  the resort offers an unsupervised fitness center, with a thoughtful collection of Cybex workout equipment as well as an array of Stairmasters, stationary cycles and treadmills.  In addition, the resort also has made arrangements for guests to use the more extensive fitness center and indoor lap pool at the FirstHealth Center located about three minutes away. 

Other Pinehurst USTA Member Organizations  

Pinehurst Resort & Country Club - The Tennis Club at North Carolina's Pinehurst resort displays the luxury and hospitality for which Pinehurst is recognized around the world. With eighteen meticulously groomed soft courts and six hard courts; Pinehurst is a tennis players dream with a full-service Pro Shop providing an exciting "home away from home" atmosphere for tennis guests and featuring the latest in fashion and equipment, along with a service-oriented USPTA certified staff, the club is prepared to exceed your tennis needs.  Lessons for all levels, court time, matching, ball service and rental equiptment is readily available.  Pinehurst is a private resort and is open to the public.
 
The National Golf Club - An "Official USTA Tennis Welcome Center" The Swim and Tennis Center at National boasts five championship Har-Tru surfaced courts, all of which are designed for championship play and a tournament court, is the focal point of a Grand Stadium. The Center offers a Pro Shop, locker rooms, and spacious lounge. Though a private resort open, National is open to the public and Tennis Affiliate Memberships are available. 

The Lawn and Tennis Club -  The Lawn & Tennis Club of North Carolina has something for everyone. It has much to offer people of all ages and orientations. We cater to families, individuals, working people, retired people, junior players, and players of all levels and abilities.

• Free Child Care is available for members weekday mornings.
• Seven Clay Courts provide ample space for play at almost anytime of the day. ALL courts are lighted to allow for evening play.
• Our Pool surrounded by spacious decking, offers ample space for sunbathing and socializing. The thirty foot permanent awning provides shade for those who wish for more shelter from the sun. Each morning before 10:30 AM, the pool is reserved for adults who are "serious" about their swimming exercises.
• Leagues The club leagues are active and are available for players of all levels with varied schedules. From the leagues, many players find others at their same level and set up extra matches. The club is also host to a large number of USTA teams. Men's, Ladies, and mixed doubles teams enjoy playing opposing teams.
• Socials Adult, junior, and family activities take place at the club, with most gatherings on the huge social deck. Cookouts, round robins, and other social functions encourage interaction between club members.
• Pro Shop The club has a full service Pro Shop to meet the needs of the members. Racquet, clothing, shoes, and accessories are all kept in stock. Racquet stringing is available without delay. A ball machine is also available for rent by t he hour or by the year.
• Lessons Private and group lessons are available for members of all ages. Junior clinics are held throughout the school year, and tennis camps are held during the summer. Call (910) 692-7270 for rates and information.

HAR-TRU Surface FAQs

What is HAR-TRU?  The most popular "Fast-Dry" type surface in the United States and a standard in the clay court industry. HAR-TRU is made from billion year old Pre-Cambrian metabasalt found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. This rock is crushed, screened, and mixed in the precise proportions necessary to produce a stable surface. HAR-TRU can be used for both new court construction or for top dressing. A layer of these finely crushed, green rock particles is installed over a porous base of crushed, stone aggregate to produce a finished surface.
 
What are the benefits of playing on a HAR-TRU surfaced tennis court?

HAR-TRU courts are player freindly - A study on the physical injuries resulting from tennis play was conducted by the University of Calgary, Canada. It was found that one out of every two tennis players was likely to suffer a tennis injury during one 6 month season of playing. This study clearly connects tennis injuries of the lower extremities, back and groin, with two factors: the court surface and the shoe. Surfaces that allow sliding resulted in approximately 75% fewer injuries than surfaces which did not.  HAR-TRU courts are easier on the body than other types of courts - They are more advantageous for the back, legs, and ankles than asphalt, acrylic, or even grass. HAR-TRU is flexible, allowing a player to slide and recover under control, instead of having to slam down onto the court, absorbing the shock in every joint in the body. Doctors praise the flexibility of HAR-TRU, reporting that it reduces the risk of injury.

Cooler surface temperature - Compared to other dark colored surfaces that absorb and retain the sun's heat, HAR-TRU retains its moisture and breathes, keeping the surface an average of 20% cooler than hard courts, even during the sweltering days of summer. This means a cooler and more enjoyable game. Slower ball speed for a more enjoyable game -

The ball bounce on a HAR-TRU court is uniform and has a consistently slower bounce than other surfaces. This attribute allows longer rallies, a greater variety of strokes and a more controlled game for players. In short, every movie by the player is made more effective but less strenuous.

Even the lines are easier to call since ball marks are visible to players. This also creates exciting matches for players. Players develop a better, more well rounded game - The USTA Executive Committee recently reviewed a report discussing the disappearance of U.S. Tennis Superstars. One of the reasons cited for this was the lack of early training and competition on clay courts in the U.S. An analysis of the world's top tennis players showed that most had extensive clay court development backgrounds. Clay court play develops toughness, stamina, patience and strategy that hard court play does not.

Surface dries quickly after rain - Unlike hard court surfaces, players can be on a HAR-TRU court in a matter of minutes after a rain shower. Because of the way a HAR-TRU court is structured, water is absorbed through the surfacing and into the base like a blotter. The slope of the court then allows excess water to run off, leaving the court moist and ready for play. Environmentally safe surface - HAR-TRU is made up of natural, crushed, green stone, leaving no chemicals or toxic waste of which to dispose. The surface also solves run-off control problems, since it absorbs water as effectively as the original sod it replaced. Easier on eyes, clothing, and equipment - Because of its non-glare surface, HAR-TRU makes it easier to follow the ball. The natural, green surface does not stain or discolor your clothing and will reduce the wear and tear on your tennis racket, balls, and shoes.

TENNIS LINKS

• United States Tennis Association http://www.usta.com  
• USTA/Southern Section http://www.southern.usta.com  
• Professional Tennis Registry http://www.ptrtennis.org  
• Tennis Week http://www.sportsmediainc.com/tennisweek  
• US Professional Tennis Association http://www.uspta.org  
• North Carolina Tennis Association http://www.nctennis.com  

Contact us for more information @ (910) 585-2400 or (910) 585-2500