The 18th at Legacy Golf Links challenges golfers with a tough shot over water.
 Don’t be fooled by such beauty. Seven Lakes Country Club is a magnificent test of golf. |
By now, you’ve probably heard of the Pinehurst Resort, located in the central North Carolina Sandhills. Or maybe you already know that the 2014 U.S. Open and Women’s U.S. Open will be held there. But what you may not know is that there’s a whole lot more to the Pinehurst-Aberdeen-Southern Pines region than just Pinehurst Resort’s eight courses. The vicinity boasts 43 top-notch courses in a 15-mile radius. Wow! No wonder the place is dubbed "The Home of American Golf.®"
While the Pinehurst Resort tends to get the lion’s share of publicity, there are some other stunning golf destinations in the area that deserve your attention. Let’s take a quick look at a couple of our favorite courses (outside of Pinehurst Resort) that are not to be missed, as well as a few vacation providers that we think you should get a hold of next time you visit the Sandhills. And, by the way, there’s never an off-season in Pinehurst. If it’s getting too chilly up in your neck of the woods, head on down to some more comfortable weather. Great golf is readily available, all year long.
BOOK YOUR TRIP THE EASY WAY
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If you’re planning to take a golf vacation this fall (good idea!), and you really want to enjoy the best of what Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen have to offer, why not leave it to the folks who really know the area from the inside out? Golf Escapes is a one-stop, trip-planning provider, and they’ll help you sort through the best courses to play, great places to stay and handpick the best dining venues for your next golf vacation. Best of all, they not only will plan a dream vacation for you, but they will make sure you get the most bang for your buck. With Golf Escapes, you’re assured of a memorable vacation that’s chock-full of insider tidbits and local knowledge you won’t find anywhere else.
–Golfescapesinc.com
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If you’ve been to Pinehurst before, you probably know that the name "Maples" has some real meaning there. The Maples family started in Pinehurst four generations ago, with the birth of Frank Maples, the construction superintendent at Pinehurst Country Club. The tradition of golf course development has continued since then, with Frank’s son Ellis, who designed over 70 courses in his lifetime, and furthermore, with Dan at Dan Maples Design, and the fourth generation, with Jennifer Maples at Maples Golf Packages. Needless to say, the folks over at Maples Golf know a thing or two about developing a golf vacation that highlights the best of what the Pinehurst area has to offer. They’re nice folks, too.
–Maplesgolf.com
BETWEEN ROUNDS: THE VILLAGE OF PINEHURST
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It’s not called the "Home of American Golf_¨" for no reason! There’s more golf in the area than you can shake a stick at. However, there’s a lot more to this quaint community than just fantastic golf. The Village of Pinehurst’s turn-of-the-century, New England charm is replete with a unique combination of cultural, recreational, dining and shopping experiences. In 1996, the Village of Pinehurst became a National Historic Landmark, the first golf resort and community to achieve the honor, recognizing its prominence in the development of golf in the United States. The designation included the historic old town with its cottages, the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, and several of its internationally acclaimed golf courses.
To learn more about the Village of Pinehurst, visit villageofpinehurst.org.
HIDDEN GEMS
The Seven Lakes Country Club golf course winds its way through longleaf pines, bordered by a wide landscape of azaleas, magnolias and dogwood trees. (Seriously, that sentence alone should have you enticed already.) The property, which obviously has plenty of lakes for aquatic recreation, is tucked away 10 miles from Pinehurst in a residential community. And, by the way, the Peter Tufts III-designed course is a must-play–at least twice. With a slope rating of 142, it’s a stern test of golf for the better player, but you probably won’t notice. The sheer beauty of the place is as intoxicating as any course in the area.
–Sevenlakescountryclub.com
Designed by Jack Nicklaus II and located in the heart of the Sandhills, the Legacy Golf Links is no stranger to some serious acclaim and praise. The course is a sublime test of golf, ideal for the casual player or for those who don’t mind taking in the scenic views of the area and enjoying the laid-back way of doing things here. Also, Legacy Golf Links has some fantastic golf packages available that combine great golf and accommodations for all group sizes.
–Legacygolfnc.com
To learn more about all the Pinehurst area has to offer, visit homeofgolf.com.
