› Golf in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area (Moore County), known as North Carolina's Home of American Golf^®, covers more than 270,000 yards and has over 720 holes (with 54 holes on the drawing board). There are over 165 miles, or 2,800 football fields, of fairways for golfers to enjoy. Many of golf's historic and memorable moments can be traced to this southern resort community.

› The area's climate, which is milder and drier year-round than the surrounding areas, is a result of its unique combination of sandy soil, elevation (600 feet above sea level at some points) and its protection by the mountains in the western part of the state. The geographic designation describing this ecosystem is "Sandhills."

› Area golf courses have an estimated total of 2,900 bunkers – and there seems to be no shortage of sand to fill them!

› Cool green longleaf and loblolly pines are especially at home in this region. Round-the-calendar color is provided by dogwood, azalea, magnolia, camellia, holly and other flora.

› Area residents are accustomed to spotting a variety of birds and wildlife near their homes, including quail, deer, rabbits, opossums, and foxes. This "Land of the Pine," which includes two large nature preserves (one is open to visitors), is also home to such fascinating species as the insectivorous pitcher plant, fox squirrel and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (which has several natural protective habitats, many on golf courses).

› The Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area is used to train and qualify Olympic bicycle teams.

› For years, the area has been a significant center for the training of the country's finest standard bred harness horses, trotters and pacers, as well as hunting, racing and steeplechase thoroughbreds. In addition to being used for Olympic training and qualifying, it is home to five past Olympic equestrian champions. The area's Carriage Driving Club, one of the largest in the U.S., sponsors frequent colorful exhibitions and competitions.

› Pinehurst Resort's eight golf courses make it the world's largest golf resort and the only single golf resort in the world with that many golf tracks.

› The North & South Amateur Championship, which began at Pinehurst in 1901, is the longest consecutively running golf championship in the country.

› The area's Sandhills Community College, North Carolina's first comprehensive community college, offers several unique programs. One is a landscape gardening program, whose graduates have found notable jobs as horticulturists at such places as the White House.

› The Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area's modest permanent population (approximately 82,000) relies heavily on travel and tourism and ranks 10th in travel expenditures by visitors in North Carolina (out of 100 counties).

› The area is conveniently located between Charlotte and Raleigh in south-central North Carolina, with easy access from Interstates 95, 85, 73-74 and 40, and direct access from U.S. Highways 1 and 15-501, N.C. Highways 211, 2 and 5. Amtrak service is also available at the Southern Pines station, providing daily connections from the North (New York) and South (Miami).