Golf is constantly on the mind in the Pinehurst,
N.C. area and this month, even more so.
For the thousands of golfers that will be in
attendance at the back-to-back U.S. Open
and U.S. Women's Open Championships at
Pinehurst No. 2, though, where should they
play their golf when not being a patron?
Within the 15-mile radius that encapsulates
the Pinehurst and Southern Pines region, there
are 40 world-class golf courses, including many
not named
Pinehurst No.
2 that have hosted USGA championship
and are consistently ranked among the nation's
best.
For the golfer who's heading to
Pinehurst this month, here's a
look at the five must-play courses they should
be sure to book a tee time at while in the
area:
Pine Needles
Golf Club |
The area is home to a number of Donald Ross
originals in addition to famed No. 2 and these
two courses are among the best.
Pine
Needles is owned by Peggy Kirk Bell and
family and was completely restored in 2004 in
between its second and third U.S. Women's
Open championships. The experience and
facilities at Pine Needles are first-class. If you
have the chance, stay on site at one of the
resort's lodges.
Mid-Pines was also
restored -- but more recently. Last year, the
course -- and primarily the greens -- were
returned to Ross' original designs led by
architect Kyle Franz and it was named the
best U.S. resort renovation of the year.
Talamore Golf
Club |
Nearby Pine Needles-Mid Pines, the
Talamore is somewhat new
compared to many of the other famed courses
in Pinehurst and Southern Pines but that
shouldn't take away from its acclaim. Rees
Jones is the architect behind the impressive
7,020-yard layout, which became the first to
institute a llama caddy program. That's right, a
llama can carry your bag for your day at
Talamore. Also be sure to try partner course,
Mid South Club, an Arnold Palmer
signature course.
Pinewild
Country Club |
Pinewild offers 36 holes and a nine-hole par-3
course, depending on your time available while
at the Open. The club is private but available
to golfers participating in one of the area
packages. The club's
Holly Course is a Gary
Player Signature course and the
Magnolia,
considered a traditional masterpiece, was built
by Gene Hamm. A host of the PGA Tour's Q-
School, LPGA Pinewild Championship and U.S.
Open qualifying, Pinewild is a solid play while in
the Pinehurst area.
Tobacco
Road |
Considered among the top courses in America
by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, the Mike
Strantz-designed Tobacco Road has been
described as 'Pine Valley on Steroids'. At 6,500
yards, it plays through an old sand quarry and
challenges golfers with shotmaking a priority.
In July 2013, Tobacco Road reached No. 50 in
the world according to Golf Architecture
Magazine.
The Dormie
Club |
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw led the
development of the 6,984-yard Dormie Club,
which spans 1,030 natural acres in West End,
N.C. The terrain was nearly untouched, similar
to the duo's terrific efforts in Bandon Dunes,
Ore. and the new Streamsong Resort in Fla.
Tee time are still available during the week of
the Men's U.S. Open on what Golfweek
considered the No. 2 course you can play in
2013.