2001 Women's U.S. Open Preview:
Pine Needles Golf Club Takes Center Stage

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

In the movie Tin Cup, Kevin Costner is quick to point out to co-star Rene Russo that when it comes to the game of golf, "perfection is unobtainable". The 2001 Women's U.S. Open may have a thing or two to say about that, Roy McAvoy. First there is this year's venue, Pine Needles Golf Club in Southern Pines. While the Donald Ross original doesn't get the "pub" his famed No. 2 course does down the road at the Pinehurst Resort, Pine Needles is a gem of track and a favorite among long-time residents and first time visitors to the Sand Hills.

Then there is the field. Karrie Webb will defend her championship from last season's Open at the Merit Club, and the white-hot Annika Sorenstam returns to the site where she won the 1996 Open Championship. The way that Webb has dominated the Women's Tour over the past two years, combined with Sorenstam's recent 59 in the second round of the Standard Register Ping Championship, will make this one of the most compelling Opens in recent history.

"It is kind of neat that we have a defending champion in Annika, and the current defending champ in Karrie, and the way Annika is playing, it should be incredible," says Kelly Miller, General Manager at Pine Needles.

Miller, and his mother-in-law Peggy Kirk Bell, are another reason that the 2001 edition of the Women's U.S. Open should be special. A refreshing change from the corporate mega-structure that professional sports have become, the Bell family still own and operate Pine Needles. In 1953, Bell married her hometown sweetheart and former pro basketball player, Warren E. "Bullet" Bell. That same year the couple bought Pine Needles, and the rest is history.

With Miller and Bell at the helm, the entire resort oozes with family atmosphere and southern hospitality - neither of which was lost on the players back in 1996.

"Based on the fact they (the players) wanted to come back," says Miller when asked why Pine Needles was re-selected as an Open site. "We had great weather, great support from the fans and the state, and the golf course held up really well."

In fact, the USGA was so impressed with the venue back in 1996 that it was announced during the trophy ceremony that the championship would be returning in 2001.

And when the players do return from May 28 - June 3, they will find that the course hasn't changed much from the first time around.

• Carolina News and Notes • Carolina Destination Guide • Carolina Course Reviews • Carolina Golf Course

Pine Needles is once again in tip-top shape, and Miller says that only a few changes have been made to the layout to further challenge this year's strong field. An additional tee was added to the par 3 13th, so that the hole will play to 205 yards from the tips. The par 3 fifth has been shortened from 200 to 175 yards to provide players with a better birdie opportunity.

Throughout the course, Miller says that the rough will be a bit longer this time around, and that the greens will but cut tighter. More trouble off the tee and lightening quick greens will favor a patient player will excellent control, says Miller.

"The combination of the course and the U.S. Open elements set up for someone who is patient," says the former Alabama Crimson Tide golfer. "The greens are gently deceiving. It is not like a lot of Ross golf courses. If you hit to the middle of the green and putt to the corners you should be good. I wouldn't recommend taking a lot of chances. There is not a green here that is deeper than 35 yards."

In Pine Needles, Ross has woven a wonderful tapestry of holes through one of the Sand Hills better pieces of property. Miller says that in typical Ross fashion, the course is designed to be played on the ground, and not in the air. All the trouble is out in front of you, but there is still enough complexity in the layout to challenge the game's best players.

"You know where you are supposed to hit it, but it is still a challenge," he says. "You can roll it onto almost every green out here. The second hole is treacherous because if you hit the middle of the green, it will roll off.

"If I had to sum it up, it would be the subtleties that someone has to get used to here." Championship Director Reg Jones is not subtle, however, when it comes to Pine Needles' goals for this year's tournament. Jones says that they will be attempting to break the total attendance mark of 118,000 set in 1998 at Black Wolf Run in Kohler, Wisconsin.

"We've broken the corporate sales record by half a million dollars and we feel like we'll set a new standard if we break the attendance record too," Jones says.

To prepare for the record crowds, Jones and his crew added a "spectator hub" at the main entrance, where patrons can view two or three holes at once. The 14th hole will also feature a spectator village that will house merchandise and refreshments.

As with most U.S. Opens, Miller and Jones expect this tournament to be won on the final day, and maybe even on the final few holes.

"My sense is, what you are going to end up with is that the closing holes are going to be tough and could decide it," Miller says. "There are only two par 5s on the course, holes one and 10. Coming in there are some long par 3's and the par 4's are going to be long. You have to have your score by the time you get on the 13th hole. If someone plays those holes under par coming in, they will have played a great round."

If the setting, the field, and the family atmosphere aren't enough to get you out to the 2001 Women's U.S. Open, Jones believes that the current competitive state of women's professional golf should be a strong draw on its own.

"The women's game in general is a game that more people can relate to," he says. "They are a lot more personable. If you come out and watch them they get more excited and more enthusiastic with the crowd. They are a little more approachable, and with the men, I don't think that is the case anymore."

Championship Facts

Date: May 28 - June 3, 2001
Field: 150 Professionals and Amateurs
Format: 72 Hole Stroke Play;
Field is cut to low 60 scores and all ties and everyone within 10 strokes of the leader.
Tickets: www.2001uswomensopen.com