FROM THE NEWSROOM

U.S. Amateur
returns to Pinehurst

TravelGolf.com Staff Report

VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. (April 14, 2003) -- Pinehurst reinforced its strong amateur golf roots, as the United States Golf Association announced the return of the U.S. Men's Amateur Championship to the resort in 2007.

David Fay, executive director of the USGA, made the declaration near Pinehurst's No. 2 course, where the championship's final rounds will be played.

The event propels Pinehurst's 103-year old heritage in amateur golf into the 21st century, a tradition that began with the North and South Amateur Championship's opening round at the resort in 1901. It thrived under the direction of past Pinehurst and USGA president Richard Tufts, grandson to the resort's founder, who welcomed the best in amateur golf to Pinehurst during his tenure.

Tufts "Creed of the Amateur" is etched in bronze just off No. 2's 18th green, where many of golf's greatest moments have been immortalized. That legacy and dedication to the amateur experience brought the 1962 Amateur Championship to Pinehurst, and continues through today's announcement.

"We are pleased to have been selected as the site of one of the greatest championships in all of golf," said Patrick Corso, President and CEO of Pinehurst. "The principles of amateur golf are at the very core of Pinehurst values, and the heart of our mission to continually deliver a timeless experience to all golfers."

The U.S. Amateur Championship in 2007 will mark the ninth major USGA championship to be held at Pinehurst since the resort's founding in 1895. The list includes the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Open Championships, 1994 U.S. Senior Open, 1989 U.S. Women's Amateur, 1980 Men's World Amateur Team Championship, 1980 Women's World Amateur Team Championship, and 1967 Senior Men's World Amateur Team Championship.

The resort hopes for as exciting a contest as the 1962 U.S. Amateur, which was won by Oklahoma-native Labron Harris on the 36th hole against Downing Gray. Harris went from five down at the end of the morning championship round to win 1 up on the 18th hole of Pinehurst No. 2.

The USGA's decision to bring the Amateur back to Pinehurst marks another resort milestone: it is the first time in recent history that another Pinehurst golf course will host major championship play. Pinehurst No. 4 will also be used in the early rounds of the 2007 event.

It shares the honor with the Donald Ross masterpiece, Pinehurst No. 2, which will see the last six rounds of match play. No. 2 was built in 1907, and has served as the site to more individual championships throughout golf history than any other American course.

Originally opened in 1919 as a Donald Ross design, No. 4 was completely redesigned by Tom Fazio in 1999. The course has since been listed as a Top 100 course in America, and is 7,117 yards from the gold tees. It is expected to provide as strong a challenge as its No. 2 cousin.

• Pinehurst just feels right. • Donald Ross Courses

Pinehurst is a landmark resort located in the Sandhills of North Carolina. It was built in 1895 and continues today as the preeminent destination in the Southeast for award-winning golf, spa and upscale vacation experiences. For more information, call 1-800-ITS-GOLF or see www.pinehurst.com.

Pinehurst reopens No. 7

The highly regarded Pinehurst No. 7 course has officially opened after undergoing a classic renovation. The work was done under the supervision of famed architect Rees Jones, who designed the original course in 1986.

"Rees has made a great course even better," said Pinehurst President Patrick Corso, "and the recent changes have turned the course into an outstanding layout that will be mentioned in the same breath with courses Nos. 2, 4 and 8. I am proud of what Jones and the Pinehurst team have done, and am delighted to bring it back into the fold as one of four outstanding championship courses."

The changes include the rebuilding of all tees and greens, the installation of G-2 bentgrass, and the distribution and addition of bunker complexes throughout the course. Many fairways have also been resloped to a range that members and guests will find more appealing. Landing areas have also been enlarged.

"We needed to install modern grass that is more heat tolerant and disease resistant," Corso explained. "What's more, we lengthened a few holes. The course now plays from 7,200 yards from the back tees, up from 7,125."

No. 7 was closed in June 2002 for the renovation that was completed in December. A North Carolina drought last fall, followed by an unseasonably cold winter did not delay its soft opening in late January to limited course play. The wet spring weather has left the new design in prime condition. "We've made a great course even greater," said Rees Jones. "The latest changes make it even more of an old classic golf course, fitting perfectly within the Pinehurst set."

Several holes on the back nine have been recontoured and realigned, and a state of the art Toro OSMAC irrigation system with Site Pro controls has also been added.

The course, under the direction of Chad Campbell, has a more rugged terrain than the original five Pinehurst courses. Water hazards dominate four holes around the turn, and over 25 acres of wetlands come into play throughout the course. Five sets of tee boxes ranging from 5,183 to 7,216 yards play to a par-72.

"While some holes might be less treacherous with the redesign," said Jones, "they will be just as demanding. It will continue to be a challenge to all players."