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Pinehurst Area Basks in U.S. Open Glow

A rare bright spot during the eye of the pandemic came in early September 2020, when the United States Golf Association named Pinehurst Resort and Country Club’s legendary No. 2 course as its first “anchor site” for U.S. Open Championships.

Village People

Noted golf writer, author and blogger Geoff Shackelford had not been to Pinehurst in the decade since the 2014 U.S. Open was held on No. 2.

The Shot

Final groups of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, a quarter-century apart. Payne Stewart in 1999 needs a par to hold off playing partner Phil Mickelson, but his tee shot on the uphill, par-4 finishing hole misses the fairway to the right. He’s in five inches of suffocating rough, the grass wet on a cool, misty day. He punches out, has 78 yards to the hole, hits a three-quarter sand wedge to 18 feet short of the back-right hole location.

The Coincidental Resort

The eyes of the sports and golf worlds will be upon Pinehurst the third week in June. The largesse of the Sandhills golf community will evoke awe and interest from across the nation and the world. It’s always fascinated and amused me to ponder the series of dominoes that fell over five years from 1895 to 1900 that allowed this “Coincidental Resort” to sprout into reality. There was no big city next door to give birth to Pinehurst. There was no ocean or mountain range to make it an aesthetic or seasonable destination, no river to provide convenient access.

The Eve of the Open

It’s been 10 years since the last U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. What’s different about the golf course and infrastructure in one decade? So much. But then again, so little.

USGA Officially Opens Golf House Pinehurst

The United States Golf Association (USGA) today officially opened Golf House Pinehurst, its seven-acre campus located footsteps from the Pinehurst Resort & Country Club main clubhouse. The new location includes the organization’s equipment-testing and research facility, the visitor-friendly USGA Experience, an outdoor educational landscape feature and the recently relocated World Golf Hall of Fame, as well as administrative offices.

At Home In The Pines

When you visit the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area you'll find yourself in a very unique place, full of tall pine trees, gentle breezes and crystal blue days. It's quite often the golf that first draws people to the area. But it's the beauty and pace of life that make them want to return.

Our Favorite 19th Holes in the Home of American Golf

Among the things that we particularly enjoy around the Sandhills are a round of golf followed by an ice-cold brew. We thought this would be the perfect time to celebrate some of the area’s most enticing spots to bend your elbow and enjoy our friendly cheer across the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area of North Carolina.

Collards, Community and Collaboration

North Carolina’s Moore County restaurants, growers, and producers work together to plate-up flavorful bounty ripe with Sandhills tradition.

Our Favorite Coffee Shops in the Sandhills

There are fun, hip, cool and most importantly local coffee shops all across Moore County, but these are some of our favorites.

Why Visit Pinehurst If You Don’t Play Golf?

Even though the area is home to nearly 40 golf courses, the towns of Southern Pines, Pinehurst, and Aberdeen offer so much to do for non-golfers. Besides boutique shopping and spa treatments, you can take a historical walking tour or go for a hike. There are great coffee shops to linger in and fantastic restaurants serving innovative cuisine using local ingredients with a southern twist.

First Timer’s Guide to Pinehurst

Welcome to the Home of American Golf! The Sandhills of North Carolina are anchored by the towns of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, and Aberdeen. Although most visitors come here to play 18 holes, and there is no doubt that golf (and Donald Ross) squarely put this region on the map, there is so much more to do in the area than hitting the links.

At Home In The Pines

Girlfriend Getaways

There’s nothing like an amazing weekend away with your best group of girlfriends. If you’re looking for spas, shopping, unique experiences, and great food, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area has all of that, plus a lot more. So, grab your girlfriends and load up for a weekend of fun!

Sandhills Holiday Gift Guide

From golf to food to culture to an eclectic array of accessories, here are a few of our favorite, locally themed gift ideas from the Pinehurst -Southern Pines area.

Bring Fido! Pet-Friendly Finds Among the Pines

When it comes to pet-friendly destinations in North Carolina, the Home of American Golf scores high among places to bring your faithful friend.

Why Visit Pinehurst If You Don’t Play Golf?

Top 10 Places for a #Sandhills Selfie

Boasting an abundance of picturesque spaces and memorable places, Moore County — including the Southern Pines, Pinehurst, and Aberdeen communities — serves up plenty of opportunities for a #SandhillsSelfie. In 1996, Pinehurst was designated a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior, a designation that includes the entire historic district of the Village of Pinehurst, including the country club and five golf courses. Perfectly complementing our centerpiece are countless other special sights stretched far and wide throughout the North Carolina Sandhills.

At Home In The Pines

10 Great Things To Do

The Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen Area in the Sandhills of North Carolina offers some amazing experiences on and off the golf course. How many of these will you experience on your next visit?

Discover The Path To Pinehurst’s Past

The best way to stroll small towns in Moore County is by foot. Pinehurst, Southern Pines Aberdeen Area have several walkable places.

Unique Wedding Venues

Moore County hosts many different types of weddings. For the ceremony you’ll find a wide variety of churches and chapels in all denominations, ranging from historic to contemporary. Reception options range from resort ballrooms just steps from the links and a one-of-a-kind, historic fair barn at the Pinehurst Harness Track to a charming arts-themed estate established a century ago. Keep looking, and you’ll also find a huge assortment of restaurants, farms and meeting spaces.

North Carolina Couples Vacation

The gently graded waterfall at the entrance to Reservoir Park in Southern Pines always makes me catch my breath. Spence pressed my hand and whispered in my ear that it really is the perfect blend of beauty and serenity. I agree, and that’s exactly what calls me back again and again to Moore County to share it with my loved ones. We meandered on the path around the reservoir greeting dogs and joggers while two young men playing disc golf floated in and out of our view.

Sandhills Offers Outstanding Variety of Outdoor Activities

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we are passionate about our outdoor activities! Of course, the “Home of American Golf” is widely known for our out-of-doors offerings, particularly our world-class links, but we have plenty of other things to do around here when you are not enjoying the lush fairways.

CVB Commissions Coin to Mark 150th Birthday of Golf Course Architect Donald Ross

In commemoration of the 150th birthday of Donald Ross in 2022, the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has commissioned the creation of a special edition coin to mark the occasion. The coin shows Ross on the front of the coin and on the flip side is an image of Dornoch Cottage, the Pinehurst home along the third hole of the iconic No. 2 where he lived for many years.

Moore County Surpasses $600 Million in Visitor Spending for 2021

In 2021, Moore County witnessed an unprecedented $673 million in economic impact from visitor spending, a 70 percent increase from the previous year. That increase ranks as the fourth highest rate of increase statewide, up from $396 million in visitor spending in 2020 which was deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the substantial increase in visitor spending last year, Moore County now claims the tenth highest tourism economy in the state, the highest ranking in history.

CVB LAUNCHES SANDHILLS WINE TRAIL PASSPORT PROGRAM

Pinehurst Resort Announces New Course to be Designed by Tom Doak

Pinehurst Resort has announced that it will be creating a brand-new golf courses for the first time in 28 years. Pinehurst No. 10 is set to open in 2024 and will be designed by acclaimed golf course architect Tom Doak. Aside from the golf course, the site in Aberdeen will include a short course, clubhouse, guest cottages and other lodging. “Tom Doak builds incredible golf courses on sand and we’re excited to see what he’ll create in the North Carolina Sandhills,” says Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley. “We’ve worked with some amazing golf architects who’ve embraced our natural aesthetic and believe Tom will do something fantastic on this site.”

BHAWK- Brad Halling American Whiskey Ko.

The Dynamic Decade