SOUTHERN PINES, NC – JUNE 9, 2008 – Serious golfers have more options than ever today on where to spend their time and hard-earned money. Golf Digest Publications wanted to learn more about these ‘core’ golfers, from how they select the places they play to which golf destinations are at the top of their lists. So Golf Digest asked them to rank 31 of the top destinations in the U.S. and to answer a number of key questions relative to their golf travel habits.
It won’t come as too much of a surprise that the best place to play in terms of perceived quality of golf was the “Home of American Golf®”, North Carolina’s Pinehurst/Southern Pines/Aberdeen Area. The 2007 results marked the fourth consecutive time the destination had achieved a ranking in the top three for quality (the first study was conducted in 2001). In addition to the quality ranking for 2007, the area was positioned 8th for value and 4th for overall vacation experience by the core golfers surveyed, making one of only two destinations to be ranked in the top ten of the three categories measured.
For those unfamiliar with the Sandhills region of NC, some of the top line features of this well-traveled destination include:
— 43 championship golf courses, built by a list of Who’s Who in American golf architecture including Donald Ross, who lived most of his adult life in the Village of Pinehurst while designing hundreds of course across the country.
— The legendary Pinehurst No. 2 course, designed by Ross. It has hosted a litany of major golf championships and matches including the U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, Ryder Cup Matches, U.S. PGA Championships, and most recently the 2008 U.S. Amateur.
— The historic Holly Inn, circa 1895, and Carolina Hotel, which anchor the Village of Pinehurst offerings for resort lodging. Over forty additional lodging options make it easy to find the right overnight site for any visitor to the area.
— Small quaint towns and villages. Golf is deeply embedded in the culture and way of life in Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen, while Cameron is known for it’s antiques.
Located in the central part of the state, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area is an easy 70 minute ride from the closest international airport located in the Raleigh/Durham area due north. It is also a very popular destination for a wide range of equestrian activities, ranging from polo and dressage to steeplechase and harness track racing.
Recognition by Golf Digest has been extremely beneficial in expanding the brand recognition of the destination. For those unfamiliar with the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area and all it has to offer, the best source is the official tourism organization there, the Convention & Visitors Bureau, offering comprehensive content at www.homeofgolf.com.
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.
