Dan Van Horn stood in front of a gathering of hundreds of young golfers and their parents at the awards ceremony for the U.S. Kids World Championship in late July 2025. Now 20 years into staging the largest junior golf event in the world in Pinehurst every summer, Van Horn harkened to the kernel of an idea hatched in his Atlanta home some three decades ago.
Wherever Kelly Miller and Haresh Tharani look across the Sandhills’ business and golf landscapes, they see growth and opportunity. The U.S. Open at Pinehurst in 2024 drew more than 225,000 people coming to town and, according to a USGA study, generated a $200 million economic impact.
The golf courses at Mid Pines and Pine Needles were the 1920s offspring of a group of moneyed businessmen and regular visitors to Pinehurst who believed that the four courses at the resort weren’t enough for America’s most noted golf destination and that they were so popular that an alternative that operated at a more relaxed pace would be attractive.
Can it have been one full year since the eyes of the golf world were upon Pinehurst and Bryson DeChambeau’s miracle bunker shot in the last Open? Where has the time gone?
There’s more than one way to swing into the spirit of Pinehurst and Southern Pines, where every path – historic, scenic, or savory – leads to the soul of American golf. The Sandhills of North Carolina – proudly known as the Home of American Golf – offers visitors a masterclass in sport, heritage, and Southern charm.
Delight your senses at the area’s finest restaurants featuring seasonal ingredients, global influences, and local personality. Chef Warren Lewis and his wife, Marianne, have traveled to 42 countries and love bringing their experiences back to the Southern Pines bistro they opened in 1998.
You may have discovered Moore County through Pinehurst’s legendary golf courses, but the neighboring towns of Southern Pines and Aberdeen offer a different kind of charm—one rooted in an inviting community feel, walkable downtowns, and a thriving local business scene.
You may have discovered Moore County through Pinehurst’s legendary golf courses, but the neighboring towns of Southern Pines and Aberdeen offer a different kind of charm—one rooted in an inviting community feel, walkable downtowns, and a thriving local business scene.
Tucked into the longleaf pines and winding trails of Southern Pines, North Carolina, the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities is more than a historical landmark — it’s a vibrant hub for creativity, learning, and cultural celebration.
Moore County may be famous for its world-class golf courses, but there’s plenty more to explore beyond the fairways. From scenic hiking trails to peaceful reservoirs and exciting seasonal events, this region offers outdoor adventures year-round.
