THE GENERAL CLUBHOUSE AT EAGLE RIDGE has a new look coming. The old 9th hole is the new 18th hole. Learn more at Eagleridge.com, the resort currently closed. ______________________________________________________________________
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy and on Facebook or LinkedIn. In front of the historic Carolina Hotel at the Pinehurst Resort.
THIS IS THE BEGINNING of a multi-part series on the Pinehurst Resort, in Pinehurst North Carolina.
PINEHURST PART 1, by Rory Spears, with Len Ziehm.
As Podcast partner Len Ziehm of Len Ziehm on Golf and I, start a new chapter on golf reporting during the virus times, it’s called “Where you Going.”
Because when the virus situation clears-up, people will be ready to travel somewhere, anywhere, as long as it’s away from home.
While there is an old saying, “There is no Place Like Home,” but being coup’d up in the house for weeks on end, does take it’s toll. So when the virus goes, you should be ready to go.
During my recent trips to the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, I’ve stopped off in Pinehurst on the way down or way home, for several years. Sometimes the cold or snow follows me there, but January can be a great time to visit. This year the first two days were in the 70’s. With only day three, having a high of 48 degrees.
The front of the historic Carolina Hotel at the Pinehurst Resort.
While the Pinehurst Resort now has 10 golf courses, Pinehurst 1-9 and the par 3 Cradle Course, what’s happened in recent years around the resort and away from the golf courses, is pretty spectacular as well.
The first part of our Pinehurst series will feature Pinehurst hospitality away from the golf course. Because where you stay, is as important as where you play. Part 2 will be “The Cradle Close-Up” an up-close look at the nine holes created by architect Gil Hanse, that has golfers of all ages flocking to play this par-3 gem of a golf course.
Part 3, is called “Touch’em All”, because on this past trip I finally played Pinehurst 5. It was the last of the ten courses at Pinehurst I had not played. Now I have played them all. I can add that Pinehurst golf is more than just Course 2 and Course 4.
The Carolina Dining Room, home to the best breakfast in golf (L). A queen sized bed in a Carolina Hotel room (R).
There is nothing like entering the Carolina Hotel on Carolina Vista Drive, and arriving in front of this historic hotel, which is a registered historic site. The hotel opened in 1900, with 250 rooms, and was called “The Queen of the South.” Just off the main lobby is the Ryder Cup room named after the 1951 Ryder Cup hosted by Pinehurst. It’s perfect for dining, or seating at the bar. The walls are complete with memorabilia from Pinehurst history.
Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2019 member and golf writer Len Ziehm went there for Christmas one year, and called his stay at the Carolina “delightful” even though he was not golfing.
The Carolina Dining Room is a must stop before you take to the links for that days round or two of golf. A fantastic variety of food, and morning beverage options are available. On some mornings there is live pianist to provide some music with your meal.
THE FIRST HOTEL IN PINEHURST-THE HOLLY INN, opened in 1895, and has under gone recent renovations that kept the Inn’s historic southern charm, while adding some of the modern day expectations of today’s guests. Charm oozes from the Holly Inn.
A new “King sized bed” in the Holly Inn, with a living room style sitting and work area.
The 1895 Grille in the Holly Inn, is a four-star dining experience. The inn’s Tavern Bar and Restaurant, goes hand-in-hand with the Grille.
On New Years’s Eve in 1895, the Holly Inn opened it’s doors and started to welcome overnight guests. it’s the oldest hotel in Pinehurst.
125 years later the “Historic Holly” is continuing it’s traditions.
It’s rooms are more comfortable than ever, and the level of food and beverage continues to exceed expectations.
If you have not stayed in the Holly Inn for several years, you need to return and see what’s new, and what you loved in your last visit, that still hasn’t changed.
THE MANOR INN has reopened from renovation, with new rooms, a new bar, a new deck, and plenty more. Arnold Palmer loved the Manor Inn when he came to town, you will too. And Yes, you can get an Arnold Palmer if you wish to order one.
The renovated Manor Inn, one year in the making, has a new library study (L) and new lounge (R).
The recently reopened Manor Inn, comes complete with rooms inside, and new deck on the outside, for when you don’t want to stay indoors. If you have ever heard the term, “Raise the Roof”, well the Manor Inn has had it’s roof raised, and the drawings from the desk of Donald Ross, showing the best courses at the Pinehurst Resort are spread out across the ceiling.
The Manor Inn has suites that are great for groups of 20, and it’s North & South Bar is the place for drinks like a N&S Old Fashioned, and other Whiskey and Bourbon cocktails.
A Manor Inn bedroom.
The town of Pinehurst’s old steam and power plant, was closed and rebuilt into a very good, and what quickly became a very popular hot spot for new brews, great barbecue, and brick oven pizza’s.
But the Pinehurst Brewing Company shows that everything in Pinehurst isn’t old. It also filled a minor void in what Pinehurst had to offer. The 10-barrel establishment has indoor and outdoor bars, with seating for over 200 patrons.
Live entertainment is something that has become part of the Pinehurst Brewery’s popularity, with members and resort guests.
If you like Carolina Style BBQ and Texas Style brisket, that’s cooked daily. The Pinehurst Brewing company is for you.
The front entrance of the Pinehurst Brewing Company (L) and the rebuilt, brick-by-brick smokestack.
The dining and brewing area’s (L), along with the front counter and to go sales shop (R)
INSIDE THE DEUCE, the sports bar strategically located behind the 18th green of the famed Pinehurst No.2 course (L). Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley and his team have overseen a list of improvements over the last few years, that have kept the Pinehurst Resort, the nation’s leader in golf destination properties. (R)
Off the course, the Pinehurst Resort in recent years has improved the resorts spa, and added a new swimming pool, that’s become a hot spot, on hot days. The 91st hole grill in the main clubhouse has been upgraded, along with the locker rooms in the clubhouse, and the members clubhouse.
The folks who run Pinehurst, they get it-and they always have. No matter when you go, it’s always a good time to be at Pinehurst.
Stay with Golfers on Golf, for Parts 2 and 3 of our look at the Cradle of American Golf, the Pinehurst Resort. See more at Pinehurst.com.