Interesting Golf Facts

Home of the first known miniature golf course in addition to one of the first driving ranges at the Pinehurst Golf Club (now Pinehurst Resort). Golf's origins in this region date back before 1899 when Donald Ross began his legacy as golf course architect.

Moore County (location of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area) is one of the highest golf density areas in the United States (less than 100 residents per each golf hole).

The combination of sandy soil, rolling hills, pine forests and mild climate make the Sandhills region of North Carolina ideal for golf. Pine trees offer a carpet of pine needles without the dreaded leaves in Fall, while offering plenty of shade in summer months. The sandy soil drains quickly, practically eliminating "rain outs."

The word "Pinehurst" is derived from the pine trees abundant to the area and "hurst," meaning a wooded plot of rising ground. Almost every resort or golf course in the area capitalizes on the unique ecosystem by referencing pine trees, pine cones, pine needles or sand in their name or logo.

The "Who's Who" in golf course architecture have produced some of their best work over the years in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area. The distinguished list of architects and the number of golf courses built in the area includes Donald Ross (7), Ellis Maples (6), Dan Maples (3), Gene Hamm (3), Tom Fazio, (4), Robert Trent Jones (2), Rees Jones (2), Tom Jackson (2), Willard Bird (2), Peter Tufts (1), Jack Nicklaus (1), Jack Nicklaus II (1), Arnold Palmer (1) and Gary Player (1).

Major golf championships have called the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area home for over 90 years. No other U.S. golf destination has consistently hosted the range and scope of golf championships over the past century. For a list of championships click here.

Championship golf has a tremendous impact on Moore County's economy, as demonstrated by the 1996 U.S. Women's Open Championship and the 1999 U.S. Open Championship. Over 110,000 people attended the Women's Open at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club, which broke the record for attendance. Visiting spectators and corporate sponsors deposited $20 million into the economy, which, when a conservative multiplier of 2.5 is applied, translates into an overall economic impact of $50 million. During the 1999 Open, 40,000 people attended each day, including players, media, spectators, and volunteers. An econometric model revealed that the Open created revenues of $75 million for Moore County with a total statewide economic impact of $160-180 million.

Currently, there are 720 holes of golf covering more than 270,496 yards (or more than 153 miles) of fairway landscape in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area, while more than 2,900 bunkers and 200 water hazards stand guard at the 43 golf courses. Plans call for three additional courses to be added to the golf inventory over the next two years.

The Village of Pinehurst and Pinehurst Resort were designated National Historic Landmark status in 1996 for their historical, significant role in U.S. golf history. This is the only golf-related designation of its kind in the United States.

Moore County's central location makes it extremely accessible as over half of the United States' population is within 500 miles. The golf industry's direct impact via travel revenues on Moore County's economy exceeds $170 million annually as 1.25 million rounds of golf were played on the 43 golf courses in 1999. More reasons why the area has gained the reputation as "The Home of American Golf^®" and "America's Golf Capital."

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The Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is an economic development organization and non-profit authority of Moore County, North Carolina. The CVB mission is to promote the area as a destination for visitors, meetings, conventions and tours. The CVB is funded primarily by a three percent hotel / motel room occupancy tax paid by visitors to Moore County.