Month: January 2020
Hot on the heels of the completely renovated Manor Inn at Pinehurst Resort, there is now a brand new bourbon bar to enjoy at this venerable property, originally built in 1923.
The North & South opened in January and offers a wide range of domestic and international whiskeys, a plethora of whiskey-based concoctions and other signature and classic cocktails. The bar is located just off the lobby of the Manor Inn and features a rustic design, leather chair, bar and seating areas and a spacious outdoor space with comfortable furniture to seat as many as 20 people, three fire pits and a water feature.
Cocktail prices start at $14, but North & South will also feature a few taps from the Pinehurst Brewing Company which is basically a hybrid shot and pitching wedge away from the hotel. The bar is smartly decorated with memorabilia and photos paying homage to the historic North & South Amateur Championship which has been played at Pinehurst since 1901. The ceiling features an illustration of the original routing of Donald Ross’ first four courses at Pinehurst, the map dating back to the early 1920’s when the hotel was first constructed.
You do not have to be a hotel guest to enjoy North & South, but whether guest or local, if you love whiskey, this is your kind of place!
Golf Leaders Inside the Home of American Golf Tout Business Advantages in Moore County (NC)
PINEHURST, NC (January 16, 2020) – Golf business leaders in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area of North Carolina are teeing up an aggressive pitch for other golf companies domestically and internationally to consider relocating in their part of the country. Partners in Progress, the economic development arm for Moore County (NC), recently produced a video that included golf business leaders from the Pinehurst area and plan to share it at the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL. The goal is to draw interest from existing or new golf-related businesses wishing to inquire about what it would take to relocate or start a venture in the Pinehurst area. The vision is to create a golf cluster business community on the East Coast, similar to what happened in Carlsbad, CA.
“There’s something unique going on here in Pinehurst. There’s a tremendous opportunity to tap into the world of golf. There are a surprising number of golf companies and golf thought leaders based here in Pinehurst,” says Jamie Ledford, president of Golf Pride, a division of Eaton Corporation. “Golf Pride made a decision to build our design and development center in Pinehurst and we have a huge opportunity to test new golf concepts with golfers from around the world right here in Pinehurst. It’s a great spot for us.”
The 36,000-square-foot Golf Pride Global Innovation Center opened in 2019 and is located next to the Tom Fazio-designed and highly acclaimed Pinehurst No. 8 golf course. The company looked at several sites but chose Pinehurst Resort because of the prime location and brand partnership as well. The new facility will allow Golf Pride to test new products out of its rapid prototyping lab quickly with a steady stream of golfers visiting Pinehurst from around the world on a daily basis.
Aside from Golf Pride, the United States Golf Association (USGA), U.S. Kids Golf and the Carolinas Golf Association (CGA) have moved portions or their entire headquarters, to the area in recent years. The U.S. Kids Golf Academy is located at Longleaf Golf & Family Club in Southern Pines and annually hosts, along with more than a dozen area golf courses, the U.S. Kids Teen and U.S. Kids World Golf Championships each August. Those combined events account for more than $9 million dollars in economic impact each year, according to the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. More than 2,000 junior golfers from round the world descend upon the destination to compete in those U.S. Kids Golf events.
“Pinehurst is the perfect community because of its world-wide reputation in golf and because of the world-class excellence here,” says Dan Van Horn, founder and president, U.S. Kids Golf. “If you get the idea that by coming here you’re going to get deep into the weeds of what makes golf tick in the Pinehurst area, you’ve come to the right place. This is a great place to live and work.”
“When you look at the companies who are here with Golf Pride, the USGA, U.S. Kids Golf and the CGA, they all have a big presence here,” remarked Tom Pashley, president of Pinehurst Resort. “They are all companies that when you think about it, it makes perfect sense that they’re here. It makes perfect sense for golf companies to come and be a part of Pinehurst. I can’t wait to see who that is.”
The pitch to golf businesses relies on the globally recognized name of Pinehurst, but the intent is to showcase all of Moore County as potential locations. The video features leaders in the local golf industry including Ledford, Pashley, Van Horn, Kelly Miller, the president of Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club and Pat Corso, executive director of Partners in Progress (PIP).
“For the right company, the right group and the right ideas, our area is perfect for relocation or to build a new business,” said Corso. “What we have put together is a strong attempt to create change and draw like-type companies to the Pinehurst area.”
The Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area is strategically located on the East Coast with major international airports in Raleigh and Charlotte, 60 and 90 miles away, respectively. The state of North Carolina offers state and local incentives for qualified companies, and according to a 2018 article in Forbes magazine, North Carolina is ranked as the “Best State for Business” in America. The golf leaders in the Pinehurst area believe those are all excellent reasons for other companies to investigate how those economic factors can be an attractive blend for new golf businesses or relocation of existing ones.
For more information about the opportunity for golf businesses in the Pinehurst area, contact Pat Corso, executive director, Partners in Progress at 910.246.0311. Or visit www.MooreBusiness.org/pinehurst.
Moore County Partners in Progress
Moore County Partners in Progress (PIP) is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit economic development organization serving all of Moore County, North Carolina. PIP is a public/private partnership whose mission is to increase economic prosperity and improve the quality of life for residents through economic development initiatives that create quality jobs, generate capital investment, and increase the tax base in all of Moore County’s communities. Visit www.moorebusiness.org.
The Pinehurst Southern Pines Aberdeen Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the economic development agency responsible for travel and tourism promotion, product development, and visitor services for Moore County, NC. The CVB devises strategies to enhance the County’s tourism brand value and product to accommodate the next generation of visitors, thereby stimulating the local economy and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. In 2018, Moore County ranked as the eleventh largest tourism economy in North Carolina, generating $520 million annually in visitor spending, which supports the second largest employment sector in the county. Visit www.homeofgolf.com.
You had me at Pimento Cheese Plate and Shrimp n’ Grits! The CVB tried both of these Southern favorites at a recent soft opening of this new Aberdeen restaurant which opened on January 14th – and they were both amazing! For visitors to the area, Mason’s Restaurant & Grocery occupies the space that once housed Double Eagle Bar & Grill. It is a must see (and taste) for locals and folks coming to the destination.
Mason’s is owned by Brian Hainley and is named after his son. The downtown eatery will be serving up what Brian calls “modern, southern comfort food.” It is open for breakfast and lunch and will offer a special brunch menu on weekends. This is no greasy spoon as Hainley attended the Culinary Institute of America before owning a restaurant in Nashville. He moved back to Moore County to be closer to family. And Mason’s menu is very family-friendly with Nashville Hot Chicken, Southern Chicken Salad, Not Your Mama’s Meatloaf and an abundance of sandwiches, sides and, break out the butter for the Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread!
The grocery section offers homemade jams, hot sauces, butters, pickles and some cute apparel and stickers with fun Southern sayings. Mason’s will also feature a full bar with craft cocktails, plus, beer selections from area breweries.
Next time you’re in downtown Aberdeen, check it out. Mason’s is located at 111 N. Sycamore Street. Phone (910) 757-0155.
On Monday, January 13th, the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) launched a new website offering an improved experience for leisure and business travelers planning a future excursion to the Home of American Golf. Of course, you’ll find listings for all 38 of our golf courses in the destination, some that are historic, timeless and world-class, but you can also search seasonal packages with the best deals and options for planning a future stay.
However, the Home of American Golf is more than just a great game, and our website will allow you to find places to enjoy unique local shopping, farm-to-table dining, arts and culture, outdoor adventures and more. Locate lodging options from world-class resorts, hotels and vacation/condo rentals. Learn about our history and plan to stay to check out events happening all year long.
Be sure to visit often as we are always updating our new website. You will also want to download our latest destination guide which is filled with a variety of information that will allow you to plan your trip to the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area. Just visit HomeofGolf.com and we look forward to welcoming you to the Home of American Golf soon!