Village of Pinehurst

Anchored by the Village of Pinehurst, the Sandhills region of North Carolina is made up of a collection of small towns and blessed with a sampling of public-access golf courses that many golf aficionados consider to be among the best in the world. The "Village" is home to the venerable Pinehurst Resort and Donald Ross' vaunted No. 2 course. The entire area oozes with layouts from Ross, Dan and Ellis Maples, Rees Jones, and Robert Trent Jones.

This collection of golf courses comes together to produce one of the most unique golfing experiences on the planet. Just driving into and around Pinehurst is a surreal undertaking that every serious golfer must experience at least once.

The thousands of long leaf pines outshine their scrubby, coastal cousins as they tower over the area's more than 40 golf courses. On a sunny day -- which there are plenty -- the light green glow of the pines and the blazing white reflection of the sandy soil come together to produce aura unlike anywhere else in the world.

The Village is the centerpiece of this hedonistic existence, and driving through its winding, canopied roads, you are treated to a rare blend of New England architecture and old South charm.

It all started back in 1895 when Massachusetts' James Walker Tufts bought up some land near the center of the Village for a dollar an acre. His plan was to create a health resort for wintering New Englanders. Legendary landscape architect and city planner Fredrick Law Olmstead designed the winding roads and public spaces of the Village, and Ross arrived on the scene circa 1900 to build Pinehurst No. 1. Today, Pinehurst is golf first, everything else second.

Spring and fall are the peak seasons in Pinehurst, but golfers are welcome anytime of year. The summer brings long, hot days and some incredible stay-and-play deals with local resorts. The winter brings empty fairways and warm nights by the fireplace in some cozy resort.

At the center of it all is the Pinehurst Resort. Your first glimpse of its whitewashed clubhouse will bring chills to your spine. Gaze out upon No. 2's 18th fairway and envision Payne Stewart and Phil Mickelson striding up to the green during the final round of the 1999 U.S. Open.

Whatever you do, lose yourself in time and space and focus only on the golf at hand.

Pinehurst FAQ

What is Pinehurst?
Depends on whom you ask. Pinehurst is a resort and an incorporated village, but the term "Pinehurst" is often used generically to describe a region of south, central North Carolina known as the Sandhills. Pinehurst, the resort, is a wonderful collection of historic hotels and eight world-class golf courses that is widely considered one of the top golf destinations in the world. Pinehurst, the Village, is a quaint New England style town founded by Boston business mogul James Tufts and designed by legendary landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. The surrounding area - the Sandhills - is inclusive of the Village of Pinehurst and the Resort, but also includes the neighboring towns of Aberdeen and Southern Pines.

How do I get there?
Part of the frustration of getting to the Sandhills is also part of the charm. The area is not connected to the rest of the world via the Interstate system and is served by a diminutive airport with limited commercial service. Three major metropolitan areas, however, are just a short car ride away from the center of Moore County. Raleigh and Greensboro are approximately one-hour northeast and northwest, respectively. And Charlotte, the Carolinas' largest city, is two hours west. From Raleigh, the best approach is south via Highway 1, from Greensboro use a combination of Interstate 73/74 south and Highway 211, and from Charlotte take Highway 74 east to Highway 220/1 and head north.

What can I expect, in terms of golf?
In short, one of the best collections of resort, semiprivate and daily-fee golf courses in the world. Pinehurst Resort is home to eight highly rated tracks, including Donald Ross' legendary No. 2 Course and the picturesque No. 4 Course. Outside of the resort, one of the most popular stops for traveling golfers is Southern Pines where the Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club and the Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club await with traditionally designed Ross layouts.

What kind of weather can I expect, and when are the peak seasons?
The Sandhills are blessed with some of the best inland temperatures in the Carolinas. Summers are quite warm, but tolerable because the sandy soil cuts down on standing water and overall humidity levels. The fall is perhaps the best season of the year, with its warm, sunny days and cool, crisp evenings. Golfing through the winter months is totally feasible, as daytime temperatures in January and February climb into the low to mid 50's. Winter is also the best time to snare blue plate specials at the Sandhills' top golf courses. Spring is the Sandhills peak season, so make your reservations well ahead of time. The azaleas and dogwoods come into bloom and temperatures return to the 60s, 70s and even 80s.

I am bringing my spouse and children and they don't golf. Is there anything else to do in the Sandhills?
First-class shopping abounds in the Sandhills and is centered on the numerous specialty shops of the Village of Pinehurst. The area is widely regarded as an antique shopping mecca and the mini mall inside the old Theatre Building is one of the most popular shopping draws in the region. Historic Downtown Southern Pines features an incredible display of trees, flowers and courtyards graced by specialty shops, galleries and cafes that provide a quaint village atmosphere. Downtown Aberdeen is a North Carolina "Main Street" community with an historic district featuring antiques, collectibles, handicrafts and unique gift boutiques.

What kind of dining options should I expect?
Restaurants run the gamut in the Sandhills, from casual to fine dining. Part of the Pinehurst/Sandhills experience is playing an invigorating round of golf, freshening up a bit, and then heading off to one of the local pub-like eateries in the Village. Dugan's Pub is a convenient place to grub up. Just like some of the area golf courses, Dugan's Pub has two totally different sides. Upstairs is the restaurant where formal dining reigns supreme. Downstairs is a good old-fashioned bar. For dinner, the Pinecrest breaks out a couple of formal dinning rooms that can hang with the best in the area. The supper fare is upscale, including button mushroom appetizers, rack of lamb, prime rib and filet mignon. If you are in town alone, the bar is an excellent place to meet like souls and enjoy a pint or two. The Sandhills banks on its originality, not mass production, and when it comes to food, golf and accommodations, the region does not disappoint.