Father’s Day falls on June 19th this year. And around the Home of American Golf, Father’s Day always coincides with one of our favorite days of the year: Sunday of golf’s U.S. Open Championship. If you’re a golf fan and a Dad … or a stepdad, or an uncle — any special man in someone’s life, really — there’s not much more enjoyable than being able to spending Father’s Day watching some of the world’s best golfers battle mano-a-mano in the final round of our country’s national championship.
In two years, of course, the eyes of the world will be on the Pinehurst/Southern Pines/Aberdeen area on Father’s Day when Pinehurst No. 2 plays host to the 2024 U.S. Open. As the USGA’s inaugural anchor site for that championship, Pinehurst will also host the U.S. Open in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047. The summer of ‘29 will also feature the second back-to-back production of the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. The first one, in 2014, was also hosted in Pinehurst.
By Father’s Day 2024, you’ll be able to treat Dad to a tour of the USGA golf museum that is currently being constructed as part of the organization’s Golf House Pinehurst. Chief among the new operations in Pinehurst will be a new equipment-testing facility, a visitor center, offices for the USGA’s agronomy office — and the museum, where Dad can delve into the association’s premier collection of golf artifacts and connect more deeply with the game’s rich history.
The USGA expects its new campus to be completed by December 2023.
Meanwhile, for Father’s Day 2022, here are a few area events and items Dad might enjoy:
The Sandhills Pour Tour: Normally we would recommend taking Dad to visit one of the four local breweries in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area, along with the state’s longest-operating bottle shop and a sweet little cider house. But instead, we can steer you toward the Sandhills Pour Tour Passport, which is designed to guide you around Moore County where you can enjoy a beverage and our cool, Southern vibe at our favorite 19th holes. Ask for a Passport at any location included in the Sandhills Pour Tour. Or, stop by our office in Southern Pines (across the street from the Growler Company) – 155 W. New York Ave., Suite 300, Southern Pines, NC. Upon any purchase at each location, ask for the special stamp to be placed on their feature page. When you’ve collected all seven stamps, bring your fully stamped Passport to the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) and receive a free Sandhills Pour Tour mug. ALSO, for a limited time, when you show a fully stamped passport you receive a Donald Ross 150th anniversary coin, a one-of-a-kind collector’s item celebrating the acclaimed golf course architect who designed hundreds of courses across the country, including many of them in the Pinehurst area, including Pinehurst No. 2, Pine Needles Lodge & Country Club and Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club. All certified stamped passports will have the name of the owner entered into a drawing for a chance to win a future two-night vacation to the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area.
A round of golf at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club: Treat Dad to a particularly special and timely round of golf at the venue that played host to the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open just weeks ago. Designed in 1927 by the legendary Donald Ross and meticulously restored by Kyle Franz in 2017, Pine Needles’ award-winning golf course is the first in the nation to be awarded four U.S. Women’s Open Championships. Just across the street, Pine Needles’ sister property, Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club, offers another spectacular layout, masterfully preserved just as Ross created it in 1921. And the newest member of the Pine Needles/Mid Pines collection, Southern Pines Golf Club, also freshly renovated by Franz, may be the crown jewel of the bunch. An original Ross design truly returned to its former glory.
Father’s Day ATV, Car and Bike Show: For some fun with Dad this Father’s Day, he might enjoy an inaugural event at the Moore County Agricultural Fair in Carthage, where the NC Bikes Up Guns Down presents the first-annual Father’s Day ATV, Car and Bike Show. Bring the family bring your lawn chairs. “Come have fun with us,” the organizers said. “We’ve got spades, domino’s, corn hole, volleyball, a Dunkin’ booth, 4×4 checker and tic tac toe, bouncy houses, water slides and more. This is the first ever ATV, car and bike show. If you missed the first event you don’t want to miss this one.” Sounds like a good time to us, particularly with music provided by DJ Boomin. Doors open at 1:00pm and admission is $20.
Parent and Me Birdhouse Workshop: This is a DIY workshop to build and design a birdhouse on Saturday, June 18th at 10:00am at Hammer & Stain in Southern Pines. You can approach this fun event one of two ways: You can either bring Dad and make your birdhouse with him, or you can make it for Dad for Father’s Day. Customize your project in studio with your choice of stain & paint colors. The class will allow for one adult and one child to make one project. Registration is required to attend. Workshop is appropriate for ages 5 and up.
Take Dad for a loop (or 3) around The Cradle: If you somehow have not heard of Pinehurst Resort’s nine-hole short course, The Cradle, just know that this 789-yard course (holes range from 56 to 127 yards) is long on fun. Designed by golf architect Gil Hanse, the Golf Channel calls The Cradle, “the most fun 10 acres in all of golf.” Part of The Cradle’s charm is that it’s truly accessible by all ages and skill levels. Green fees for The Cradle are $50 and replay rounds are free. Kids 17 and under play free when accompanied by a paying adult, and resort guests may book tee times in advance. The Cradle is yet another example of the many ways Pinehurst continues to evolve and adapt for today’s travelers and guests.
Remember, Dad probably thinks he knows you so well that you can’t possibly surprise him. So, this year, prove him wrong with one of these fun outings around the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen Area. Enjoy … and you can thank us later.
