REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

A flurry of activity
surrounds Pinehurst

By Brandon Tucker,
Staff Writer

With the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills still over a month away, Pinehurst, the 2005 host has a flurry of news surrounding its grounds, including course closings, renovations, new records broken and a brand new book.

No. 6 set to close

Time is running out to play Pinehurst No. 6 before it closes for five months. No. 6, opened in 1979 is the latest of the Pinehurst courses to undergo a massive renovation. The course will close June 21st and won't open back up until December.

Extensive improvements will be made throughout, including reconstructed greens featuring Penn G-2 grass, which is the same strain that has been implemented on all the other Pinehurst tracks.

All the tees will receive a facelift, and several will be repositioned. "There will be a general improvement program to get the course in tip-top condition," said Pinehurst communications manager Janeen Driscoll.

Originally designed by Tom and George Fazio, the Tom Fazio Design Co. will oversee the massive project.

New book documents Pinehurst's storied past

While No. 6 is closed, check out a new book written by Robert Hartman on the legendary Pinehurst resort. "Tales from Pinehurst: A Collection of the Greatest Stories from the Mecca of American Golf" has just hit the shelves and sells for $19.95 hardcover on Sports Publishing, Inc.

The 200 page book details the over one-hundred-year history of the resort and profiles some of the most important people involved in creating the legend, including Donald Ross, Richard Tufts, Pat Corso and scores of the famous golfers who played there. From Ross' first designs at Pinehurst to Payne Stewart's chilling 1999 U.S. Open Victory and even looking ahead to the 2005 U.S. Open, "Tales from Pinehurst" documents one of the most storied grounds in sports.

U.S. Open sponsorships off to flying start

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Corporate hospitality sales for the 2005 U.S. Open Championship have already surpassed the 1999 U.S. Open's.

Tournament director Reg Jones said a record-breaking 50 corporate sponsors were sold in 1999. With the tournament still over a year away, 65 marquees have already been sold.

To aid in the added sponsorships, corporate tents in 2005 will take up the large practice area currently located between the No. 2 and No. 4 courses. A new player practice area is currently under construction on the first holes of the No. 3 and No. 5 courses.

All clubhouse and marquee packages are sold out, but Pinehurst is marketing the Trophy Club package: a smaller, more intimate entertainment option. This package includes a sports bar-themed pavilion featuring full food and beverage service, VIP parking, private restrooms, TVs, air conditioning and 12 tickets to the Open each day.

Elsewhere in the Carolinas. . .

A fourth and final course is coming to Ocean Ridge near Ocean Isle Beach in Brunswick County, N.C.

Leopard's Chase, designed by Grand Strand design guru Tim Cate is under construction and slated to open early in 2006, according to Golf Director Tom Plankers. The course will compliment the three present courses: Tiger's Eye, Lion's Paw and Panther's Run.

"It will take what I did at Tiger's Eye and take it to the next level," said Cate.

Since 1993, Cate, a native of Atlanta has been one of Myrtle Beach's most successful designers. Tiger's Eye and Panther's Run top his honor roll, with The Thistle Golf Club and the TPC at St. James Plantation also hugely successful Grand Strand favorites.

True Blue and Caledonia bring back summer special

True Blue and Caledonia Golf and Fish Club have announced their popular summer double-play package is coming back for 2004.

Starting June 1, for $109 you can play both True Blue and Caledonia after noon if you can bear the summer heat. The fee includes cart, tax and range balls. The two rounds must be played within seven days of each other. Peak season price tags for each of these courses are well into the three-digit price range (True Blue: $115, Caledonia: $165).

"We are pleased to bring back such a popular promotion for the summer of 2004" said True Blue Head Golf Professional Bob Seganti.

Caledonia Head Golf Professional Todd Welden added: "The Double Play special is a great way for families and juniors to have an opportunity to play Two of America's Top 100 Greatest Courses for a reduced rate".

The special ends Labor Day.

Kiawah Island's weakest link getting revamped

Often considered the weakest of the five Kiawah Island Resort's courses, Oak Point is in the midst of a far-overdue $370,000 facelift.

Director of Golf at Kiawah Island Roger Warren and head professional Stephen Youngner were the chief re-designers on the project, which began in March. Original designer Clyde Johnston came to the resort as well and reviewed and critiqued the proposed plan.

The renovations include removing the controversial par-4 third hole, a sharp dogleg right requiring iron off the tee and an approach shot to a small, heavily penal green. Replacing it is a redesigned first hole, extended from a par 4 to par 5. A brand new 15-yard par-3 ninth hole was inserted which plays out to Haulover Creek.

New cart paths for the entire course and two new bathrooms round out the renovations. Oak Point is scheduled to reopen in August.

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.