Mike Mauriello
Pinehurst resort recently added a new Tom Doak design known as #10 to its championship lineup. The course is located a few miles south of the resort and is built on property that is part of a 900 acre purchase made in 2010 named Sandmines. In addition to the many traps and sandy waste areas this course features elevation changes of 75 feet. It’s the first new course in about three decades
For those of you who have played in and around Pinehurst for the past 40 years you will recognize the location as the spot where “The Pit”, a Dan Maples design that was operational from 1985 to 2010, was situated. Take the 10 minute tour of every hole on YouTube at Pinehurst #10—Every Hole FIRST LOOK.
Speaking of Pinehurst, #2 will host the US Open this year June 13-16. Go to USOPEN.com for ticket info. This will be the first time Pinehurst has hosted a major since it was home to both the men’s and women’s U.S. Open in 2014.
If your time is flexible, and you think you might enjoy volunteering at a pro golf event, let me explain how the process typically works. You go to the event website and fill out a volunteer form. Typically, you have to spend $100-200 and that pays for a shirt or two, usually a hat, sometimes a windbreaker or jacket, and often a water bottle. It is usually required that you work 4 shifts of about 6 hours.
You pick from several different categories of jobs. You might work as a cashier in the merchandise tent, or a greeter when patrons first arrive, or a marshal around the tees, greens or in the stands. You might be a scorekeeper walking with a threesome, or work with the crew that stocks water and ice in the coolers on the tee boxes. You receive a pass that allows you to have free access to the tournament anytime during the tourney. On the days that you work, they provide a free meal. Oftentimes you are watching golf action while you are working! Sometimes you even get a free round at the course. That was a nice bonus when I volunteered at the Senior Amateur at Old Chatham a few years ago. You can make some wonderful golf contacts as well… I highly recommend it.
Renovation plans for the Duke University Golf Club in Durham have been indefinitely postponed pending further study. Plans initially were considered for major renovations of tees and greens in 2025…
UNC’s Finley reopened last fall after a dramatic redo. Course now reserved for members Monday, closed Tuesday and open to the public Wednesday-Sunday…
When you are referring to the golf chart in CSN, make sure you go online and\or call courses for discounted rates. Ask about senior rates, junior rates, twilight rates, resident rates, alumni rates, etc…
If you are looking for places to go for a few days of golf fun and relaxation with fellow golfers consider Talamore in Southern Pines on Midland Road…. There are several golf packages available including a special for playing their course and another they own across the street named Mid South. 3 rounds, accommodations for 4 at Talamore in a two bedroom, 2 bath condo, breakfast delivered to the condo two days, free pig pickin’ dinner one night, free Scotty Cameron putter and a $50 resort credit….11-29 /12-1 for $639. Call 800-552-6292.
Another place that I have been going to for over 20 years is Olde Mill Golf Course in the mountains of Virginia, not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway in Laurel Fork. The greens are always in good shape, temperatures a little cooler in the summers, nice driving range and putting green and it boasts a fine restaurant and bar on site. Condos are a little dated but comfortable and clean. Breakfast buffet included in price… 2 nights and three rounds of golf during spring/summer for @ $400-450. Oldemill.net. Call 276-398-2211.
Have fun out there!