In 2019, out of nearly 600 golf courses throughout North Carolina, courses in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area earned 17 spots in the list of Top 100 Golf Courses in the state, as determined annually by the North Carolina Golf Panel. Once again, Pinehurst No. 2 tops the list — as has been the case since the panel was founded in 1995.
The Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen region is home to four of the Top 10 golf courses in North Carolina, and eight of the Top 25, as indicated below:
1. Pinehurst No. 2
Of the more than 400 courses Donald Ross designed, Pinehurst No. 2 was where he made his home, continuing to tweak and perfect the course throughout his life. After an extensive restoration by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw, the course has returned to the way Ross originally intended.
4. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
For three generations, Peggy Kirk Bell and her family have been welcoming guests to Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club. The classic Donald Ross course was completely restored in 2004 and has hosted the 1996, 2001 and 2007 U.S. Women’s Open Championship. World-renowned instruction and practice facilities, all wrapped up with Southern hospitality.
5. CC of North Carolina (Dogwood)
CCNC is best known for its outstanding golf courses. The Dogwood course opened in 1963 and has been the venue for many championship events including three Carolinas Amateurs, six Southern Amateurs and the 1980 USGA Amateur.
10. Pinehurst No. 8
No. 8 opened in 1996 to commemorate Pinehurst’s centennial year. Fazio incorporated signature Ross features into the design of No. 8, including dips and swales around the greens, sloping greens and false fronts. The greens and tees are close together, making it a pleasure to walk. As the site of the PGA Club Pro Championship in 1997 and 1998, it is a proven championship course that daunts and delights all who play it.
15. CC of North Carolina (Cardinal)
Nine holes of the Cardinal course opened in 1970, with the second nine completed in 1981. Both courses are ranked in the top 15 in North Carolina.
17. Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club
The Mid Pines course remains exactly as Donald Ross numbered and routed the course in 1921. Impeccably manicured to modern standards, Mid Pines is a classic gem, a rarity among Ross’s masterpieces because it is exactly as he crafted it more than 88 years ago. Even so, Mid Pines has played host to many national competitions including the 2002 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.
19. Pinehurst No. 4
While No. 4 has been through a number of iterations since it was first built by Donald Ross in 1919, Hanse’s version is the most stunning. With the most interesting topography on the entire Pinehurst property, a shimmering lake as a centerpiece and natural ridgelines defining corridors, golfers are treated to a brazen blend of sand, native wire grasses and shimmering water.
24. Forest Creek Golf Club (South)
Pinehurst Magazine named the South course the second best golf experience in the Pinehurst area; second only to Pinehurst Course No. 2 based on the votes of area head golf professionals.
Rounding out the Top 100 listing were:
Top 50 Courses You Can Play:
This year, the Golf Panel also ranked the Top 50 Courses You Can Play, top picks for public and semi-private courses. Fifteen of the Top 50, or 30%, are found in the Sandhills:
2. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
Most Fun to Play & Best Practice Facilities
Finally, this year the Golf Panel also ranked the Most Fun to Play and the Best Practice Facilities, by region. See what ranked top in the Sandhills:
Sandhills, Most Fun to Play:
1. Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club
2. Legacy Golf Links
3. Southern Pines Golf Club
4. New Course at Talamore
5. Seven Lakes Country Club
Sandhills, Best Practice Facilities:
1. Pinehurst Resort & Country Club
2. Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club
3. Country Club of North Carolina
4. Forest Creek Golf Club
5. Pinewild Country Club
The rankings, published in the April 2019 issue of BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA, are compiled based on votes cast by a panel of golf industry experts. For the complete list please visit the North Carolina Golf Panel.
