McQ’s Dome is your winter home for indoor golf, located on Rt.53 in Bolingbrook McQ’s has not only a full scale golf practice area, but a great restaurant and OTB bet the horses. McQ’s is part of Mistwood Golf the home of McWethy’s Tavern that is open all year round, for more information visit Mcqsdome.com or call (630)-739-1592. #mcqs.     ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by Rory Spears, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory to Deuce’s behind the 18th on Pinehurst #2, and to Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With Pinehurst Resort President Tom Pashley.

(Writing form Pinehurst NC)

On January 20th it was time for a new president, #45 to take office. Here in Pinehurst North Carolina another president sits at his desk over looking #2.

Course #2 that is, yes that course #2, the one that will host four U.S. Opens in 25 years.

Holding the reigns these days at the birthplace of american golf, the Pinehurst Resort is Resort President Tom Pashley. The job of president at Pinehurst sounds like a job that everyone who loves golf would like to have. While there is some truth in that, it’s that kind of responsibility that goes with the job that keeps Pashley a busy man.

The bar in Deuces, the new center of attention at the Pinehurst Resort, that has chairs looking out on to one of the most historic 18th hole’s in golf.

Since taking over as president Pashley has seen the boom in business because of the renovated Pinehurst #2, by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore.

But Pinehursts projects didn’t stop there. As Pashley is quick to explain, that while Pinehurst looks to continue it’s great history and traditions, there is that responsiblity of getting modern, so that today’s younger families and generation still find Pinehurst a great destination.

Next step for Pinehurst is a major project in the renovation of Course #4. This Donald Ross original was last renovated by Tom Fazio in the late 90’s, this time it’s Gil Hanse who will get the call. It was not the easiest of decisions to make in bringing in Hanse, even though it was easy when you look at Hanse’s track record. The tough part fell into the lap of Pashley who drove to Fazio’s office in Henderson North Carolina to inform Fazio of the decision. One that Pashley was glad that Fazio took quite well.

The restoration of Pinehurst #2 has changed the way golfers think about the course, how they play the course, and they vote which Pinehurst course in their favorite.

The last thing that Don Padgett told Pashley before he retired as the resort president was, that Deuces would be located right behind the 18th green of Pinehurst #2, “don’t screw it up.”

Well Pashley and Pinehurst got it right, there are some nice touches around the new bar, including a new location for Putter Boy, the original Donald Ross drawing of Pinehurst 2 underglass (complete with a mustard stain on it). The windows can all open giving Dueces that open air feel and look right onto the action as players try to hole out their putt, or recreate the famed Payne Stewart winning putt from the 1999 U.S. Open.

The Par 4, 14th hole on Pinehurst #2.

The course #4 restoration also brings a few other other changes with it, like the addition of a nine-hole par 3 course. To get land for the addition of the par 3 course, there are changes made being to adjoining courses # 3 and #5. The putting course Thistle Dhu, will get relocated as well.

Off the course work has led to the addition of a brand new pool, room renovations last year in the historic Carolina Hotel. Underway right now, are room and dining renovations in the Holly Inn, and that will not be all.

Pashley hints that Pinehurst will maybe later this year make yet another announcement, that won’t be a golf course. What it is we will have to wait and see, but it appears that it will continue to be a “Beautiful Day In Pinehurst.”

Click here to hear our interview with Pinehurst resort President Tom Pashley. It covers a wide range of topics and looks at what the resort is doing to keep improving as a resort destination.

PINEHURST #10, yes that is a strong possibility, if it happens this course will not be “A Pit”. More on a potential Pinehurst Course # 10, coming in Part 3 of our look at The Pinehurst Resort & Country Club.

DID YOU KNOW ? that Pinehurst is more than resort. It’s real name is Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, a club that has over 4,500 members, even though all of them are not golfers. Even with nine courses, Pinehurst would have trouble finding 4,500 tee times if all the members wanted to play the same day.

Golf memberships are very affordable and members do receive quite a few benefits. If you would be interested in membership, please inquire.

Part 2, will be our look at the Pinehurst Course #4 renovations. For more information on Pinehurst the host of the 2017 USGA Foreball Championships, the 2019 USGA Amateur Championship and the 2024 U.S. Open, please visit Pinehurst.com or call (800)-ITS-GOLF.