Pinehurst ResortPinehurst Resort 

Boston businessman James Walter Tufts sold his soda business in 1895 and purchased 6000 acres of land in the North Carolina Sandhills with the express purpose of building a health resort, and opened the Holly Inn that year. Tufts employed Frederick Law Olmstead ( of Central Park fame ) to design the village and central green for what became the village of Pinehurst. Although the first golf course was laid out in 1897 by a Dr Leroy Culver, it wasn't until Donald Ross was appointed in 1900 that golf really came into it's own at Pinehurst. Scottish born Ross designed over 400 courses in his time, many of which have stood the test of time. He is rightly regarded as one of the finest golf architects the world has seen. Pinehurst no 2 opened in 1907 and Ross  declared it was 'the fairest test of championship golf I have ever designed". Pinehurst no 2 is regarded as his masterpiece.

Indeed Pinehurst no 2 has now hosted major championships such as the U.S. PGA, the Ryder Cup, The Tour Championship, and a number of U.S. Opens- perhaps the most famous of these was the 1999 Open won dramatically by Payne Stewart. In fact no 2 has hosted more championship events than any other course in the USA.

But Pinehurst Resort wasn't always all about the golf, although that is what it is universally known for now. Originally Tufts designed it as a health resort, and riding, hunting, cycling and archery were key activities. In 1916 exhibition shooter Annie Oakley came to Pinehurst Gun Club teaching 125000 people how to shoot in a 5 year period!

But these days it is all about the golf. Pinehurst now has 9 championship courses under its care, and the general sandhills area around Pinehurst has many more.

 Putter Boy at Pinehurst ResortPutter Boy at Pinehurst

Pinehurst no 5

 

Pinehurst no 5- hole 14Pinehurst no 5- hole 14 

Pinehurst no 5 was designed by Ellis Maples and opened in 1961.

Maples was a pretege of Donald Ross and let the land dictate the course design.

At no 5 Maples produced a golf course that constantly challenged golfers to carry the ball over water, bunkers, and to elevated greens

 

Pinehurst no 5- hole 10Pinehurst no 5- hole 10

 

It is a course that will suit the better player

 

 

Golf Tours- Pinehurst

The Travelling Golfer can tailor a package to suit your group, including time at Pinehurst Resort and some of the other outstanding courses in the area.

For further information see Golf Tours: Pinehurst & The Sandhills of North Carolina

 

Enquiries

Please contact us if you are interested in a golf tour to Pinehurst Resort and/or The Sandhills of North Carolina:

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