USGA Announces U.S. Women’s and Men’s Opens Both at Pinehurst in 2014:

In an unprecedented move, the United States Golf Association announced this week that in 2014 the U.S. Women’s Open, for the first time, will immediately follow the U.S. Open Championship on the same venue, Pinehurst No. 2, from June 12 to June 22. The venerable Donald Ross course will become the only golf venue to host the Men’s and Women’s Opens, the U.S. Amateurs (Men’s and Women’s), and the U.S. Senior Open Championships.

The advantages of hosting back-to-back USGA majors at one site are many, but have not been tried before due to the lack of total facilities at one location, and the fact that the golf course used has to be shut down leading up to and during the event. With eight courses, Pinehurst has the ability to manage its inventory to accommodate both guests of the resort and members play, even with a major golf event taking place, as it has proved in hosting U.S. Opens in both 1999 and 2005. The official announcement was made at this year’s site for the U.S. Open Championship, Beth Page Black, outside of New York City.

The village of Pinehurst is located in Moore County, North Carolina in an area rich in golf tradition, offering 44 courses, designed by some of the world’s greatest golf architects, including Ross, who lived most of his adult live in the Village of Pinehurst. Lodging and travel information for the U.S. Open with be made available upon final approval of the contracts for both USGA 2014 events.

For more information view the following links:

The Charlotte Observer

The Fayetteville Observer

Golf.com

Golfweek.com

USGA

Summer Specials & Golf Packages:

It's summertime and the living is easy! The golf courses are world-class, the crowds are gone and our Summer Specials offer a variety of affordable golf packages and weekend getaways. 2 Rounds/1 Night golf packages as low as $99 per person! Book your trip today.

Sandhills' Farmers Green Market at Sandhills Community College:

In addition to the other Farmers Markets in the area, a new one has opened up on Wednesdays from 3-6pm in the Aristotle Lot on the campus of Sandhills Community College. This market will run from May 20 through August 5. For additional information please contact John Frye at aussiefryefamily@gmail.com

Pinehurst, NC Makes 2009 List of Best Boomer Towns:

Hundreds of U.S. towns were narrowed down to 21 unbiased best boomer towns to retire. Key criteria included: low crime, range of home prices, university access, airport convenience, small town charm, state of the art hospitals, local events, good weather and abundant cultural activities. To see the complete list visit bestboomertowns.com

Golfweek Releases 2009 "Best" Lists:

Golfweek's 2009 list of the Best Courses You Can Play in North Carolina includes seven golf courses in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area. Only ten courses in all were listed for North Carolina. To qualify a golf course must make itself available to the general public.

1. Pinehurst No. 2

2. Pine Needles

5. Tobacco Road Golf Club

6. Mid Pines

7. Pinehurst No. 4

8. Pinehurst No. 8

9. Southern Pines Golf Club (Elks)

The 2009 list of Best Classic Courses (before 1960) includes:

14. Pinehurst No. 2

64. Pine Needles

Only one golf course in our area made the list of Best Modern Courses (1960-Present) — Forest Creek Golf Club (North).

Click here for more information on Golfweek's Best.

Ashten's a Finalist in "Best Dish in North Carolina" Competition:

The Best Dish in NC contest was created to determine the top restaurants in the state.  These restaurants use the freshest and finest ingredients from North Carolina to create amazing local cuisine. 

Ashten's in Southern Pines was selected as one of only nine finalists in the Fine Dining category. Congratulations Chefs Ashley VanCamp and Gerry Fong! View all the finalists at www.ncagr.gov/markets/gginc/bestdish/fine.html.

STS Announces Top 20 Events For July-August-September:

The Southeast Tourism Society (STS) has announced their top 20 Events for July, August and September. Two events in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area were recognized.

The 54th Annual Robbins Farmers Day, which is July 30 - August 1, 2009, features more than 400 horses, mules and wagons. Besides the parade of horses there are three stages of entertainment, carnival games, rides, parachutists and fireworks making this a fun weekend for all! Robbins, NC. www.robbinsfarmersday.com

The 30th Annual Revolutionary War Battle Reenactment is August 1-2, 2009, and recreates the Loyalist attack on Colonel Phillip Alston and his band of Whig militiamen, which occurred at the House in the Horseshoe on July 29th, 1781. Reenactors will compete in various 18th century skill competitions throughout both days of the event.  Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, 12 p.m.-4 p.m., House in the Horseshoe, Sanford, NC. www.nchistoricsites.org

Golf Digest Includes Pinehurst No. 2 in List of America's Best:

Golf Digest's May 2009 issue contains its list of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses for 2009/2010. Only 4 golf courses in North Carolina made the list - among them Pinehurst No.2 which came in at #32. The Golf Digest ranking, the oldest in golf, was established in 1966, and includes both public and private golf courses across the country.

Pinehurst No. 2 Again Ranks as NC's Best Golf Course:

The North Carolina Golf Panel released their list of Top 100 Golf Courses in North Carolina in the April 2009 issue of BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA. Among the Top 15 in the state were seven Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area golf courses:

1. Pinehurst No. 2
4. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
5. Country Club of North Carolina (Dogwood)
7. Forest Creek Golf Club (South)
10. Pinehurst No. 4
13. Pinehurst No. 8
15. Forest Creek Golf Club (North)

Best Bang for the Buck Courses, Sandhills Region - These are courses that you feel deliver exceptional value for what you pay:

1. Southern Pines Golf Club (Elks)

2. Seven Lakes Country Club

4. Tobacco Road Golf Club

5. Legacy Golf Links

In all, 20 golf courses in our area were ranked in NC's Top 100. For the complete list please visit Top 100 NC Golf Courses.

Golf Digest 2008 "Best Places To Play" Ratings:

In 2008, all 31 of the golf courses rated in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area were given 3-stars or greater, and 74% of those (or 23 courses) were rated 4-stars or better. Pinehurst No. 2 remains the only course in North Carolina to be designated with the 5-star rating. For a look at all our rated golf courses please visit Golf Digest's 2008 golf course ratings.

Pinehurst Resort is No. 1 – Again:

That news comes straight from the readers of Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine, who, for an unprecedented third time in 2008, voted the historic North Carolina resort as the best golf resort in North America.

This is the second year in a row that Pinehurst Resort was chosen No. 1, and the third time in four years. It has consistently ranked higher than such well-known locations as Pebble Beach Resorts, Kiawah Island Golf Resort and Bandon Dunes, all of which are in the list’s top 10. Pinehurst Resort No. 1 Golf Resort in America...

In The News:

Tobacco Road Golf Club is featured in an article on Golfweek.com. "Take a wild ride down Tobacco Road" is a tongue-in-cheek tribute to architect Mike Strantz.

The Philadelphia Inquirer featured the Pinehurst area in their 4/5/09 Travel section. The article, "Pinehurst: Linked inextricably to its links", may be found online at www.philly.com/philly/travel/42278377.html

The 2009 Golf World Readers' Choice Awards are out and four golf courses in our area made the inaugural list.

Top 50 Public Courses – #5 Tobacco Road, #24 Legacy Golf Links.

Top 50 Resort Courses – #5 Pinehurst Resort, #27 Pine Needles.

For the complete list click here.

Golfweek released their list of 2009 Best Resort Courses 10/31/2008. Five area golf courses were on the list.

4. Pinehurst No. 2

14. Pine Needles

50. Mid Pines

62. Pinehurst No. 4

74. Pinehurst No. 8

2008 marks the 20th anniversary of Golf Magazine's Best Resorts rankings, which are chosen by their Golf.com readers. Pinehurst Resort was included in the list of the 10 finest golf resorts in the United States (Platinum Award), while Pine Needles was awarded a Silver ranking. Pinehurst Resort was also given a Green Award, which honors eco-sensitive facilities. Read more...

Golf Magazine Releases 2008 List of Top 100 Golf Courses You Can Play:

The 100 golf courses on this list are among the best public golf experiences in the country. Only four golf courses in North Carolina made the list, and three of them are located in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area! To see the complete list click here.

  5. Pinehurst No. 2

43. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club

94. Pinehurst No. 8

Upcoming Major Events

For more information on these and other events please visit our Events Calendar.

June 29 - July 4
109th NORTH AND SOUTH AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP. Played on Pinehurst No. 2. For more information on Format, Sign Up or other related data, please call the Pinehurst Tournament Office at (800)795-4653, ext. 3, or (910)235-8140.

July 4
ANNUAL ABERDEEN JULY 4th CELEBRATION. Beginning at 5:30pm. The Town of Aberdeen’s 45th Annual July 4th Celebration will offer entertainment and activities for people of all ages. Activities and games will start around 5:30 p.m. with live music by The Entertainers beginning at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free to the park. Children can purchase a wrist band for $3.00, which will allow them to participate in games and a variety of activities, win prizes, and have their face painted. Festivities include games, prizes, food, live music and fireworks. Aberdeen Lake Park. (910)944-PARK.

July 4
CARTHAGE JULY 4th PARADE. Hours: 11am. Free. Traditional parade with floats, cars, color guard, music and food. Monroe Street, Downtown Carthage. (910)947-2331.

July 4
MOORE COUNTY CONCERT BAND. 3pm. Free. The Cardinal Ballroom, Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst Resort. (910)295-9023.

July 4
PINEHURST 4th OF JULY CELEBRATION WITH FIREWORKS. Begins at 5pm. Celebration includes entertainment, food and fireworks at 9pm. Entrance and parking are free, while food will be available for purchase. The Fair Barn, Pinehurst Harness Track, Route 5, Pinehurst. (910)295-2817.