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Around Pinehurst and Southern Pines . . .
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So you're in Pinehurst and you're not playing golf. What's wrong? It must be raining to the point where even the Japanese golfers are off the courses. Or perhaps it's snowing. Or dark. That's it: It's dark and raining, and even the Japanese are looking for other entertainment. The Village of Pinehurst, built by the original owner of Pinehurst and laid out by Frederick Law Olmstead, is quaint and picturesque with its New England feel. Even the owner of the local bookstore has a New England accent, but she's become Southern enough to greet you with a smile as you walk in. The village offers some excellent shopping and dining. If you're looking for a unique golf-oriented gift, take a few minutes to visit Burchfield's Gallery, (800) 358-4066. Take away a chess set made of golf figurines, a map of Pinehurst #2 in a solid frame, a personalized golf ball, framed golf cartoons, a hole-in-one memento, Pebble Beach bookends--even a ball-drying rack. Perhaps what you'll find most amusing are some of the framed sayings, including "I once gave up golf; it was the most terrifying weekend of my life." If you're looking for a great gift for the golfer who has just about everything, then you'll love Burchfield's. For those of you who are more culturally inclined, check out the Performing Arts Center, 250 N.W. Broad Street, Southern Pines, (910) 692-3611; call for information about upcoming events. One of the most interesting and least publicized attractions in Pinehurst is the Tufts Archives in the Given Memorial Library, which is right in the heart of Pinehurst Village. The Tufts Archives are wonderfully arranged, and the result is a presentation that provides the visitor with a comprehensive history of the development of Pinehurst. Call (910) 295-6022 for more information. If it's too wet to play golf, then the Tufts Archives provide an interesting diversion, and it's 5-minute walk from the main Pinehurst Hotel. Those of you who enjoy gardening and gardens should head towards the Sir Walter Raleigh Historical Garden, which is part of Sandhills Community College, on Airport Road in Southern Pines. You can reach the garden at (910) 695-3882. The lush wonderland is designed to resemble the type of garden you might have seen when Sir Walter was alive. For comprehensive information about Pinehurst, contact the Pinehurst Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 2270, Southern Pines, NC 28388, (800) 346-5362.
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You'll find plenty of great
places to eat in the Pinehurst vicinity. And you'll discover that most of
the better hotels still believe in the importance of matching the quality
of the accommodations with the restaurant--something of a rarity these
days. Anyway, there's a better variety of cuisine than you might expect in
Pinehurst and close surrounds (Southern Pines and Aberdeen), and we've
included but a few of the many fine establishments. We also give you a
couple of good choices in the Fayetteville area.
It's worth noting that many of the options we give you for
accommodations in the next section of this chapter also sport excellent
restaurants on their premises. Round out your dining choices by perusing
these selections. Refer to our Preface for an explanation of the pricing
code. Beefeater's As the name implies, Beefeater's is an outstanding place for beef, from filet mignon to prime rib. There's more, however, in the form of seafood, chicken and lamb chops, the latter being somewhat of a rarity in these parts; serve it up with mint jelly and a big baked potato and you're in fine fettle. The ambiance is low ceilinged and white tableclothed but not stuffy--and more casual than you might think. Get dressed up if you want, but feel free to visit the lounge after a round and still dressed in shorts. According to our waitress, Beefeater's is popular with those who hail from climes north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Evidently, the bartender is just a little rude to those folks, but no one seems to mind too much: He's not particularly conservative when it comes to pouring mixed drinks. The restaurant is busy on most nights, particularly so on the weekends and during the peak season. It's the type of restaurant where golfers in the area for a week come over and over again. The Coves Just opposite the Holly Inn and right in the thick of the village of Pinehurst is The Coves, an eatery and drinkery with two distinct characters. Upstairs, you'll find a restaurant where the atmosphere is on the casual side of formal. Downstairs, you'll find a subterranean bar that looks like it could become a touch raucous in the later hours of the evening. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. For lunch, go downstairs and ask the bartender to pull you a pint of Bass ale, then order a hamburger--one of the best around. For dinner, impress your better half with the varied menu and the better-than-average selection of wine. Then head downstairs for a game of Putt-Putt, another Bass ale, a shag on the dance floor and a game of darts. The Coves is a locally owned gem that's, dare we say it, not quite as stuffy as some of the other eateries in and around the village. Perhaps that's why it's so popular. Henning's Restaurant A local favorite pops up in a somewhat unlikely place: the Southern Pines Holiday Inn. We're told that "All Dishes are Personally Supervised by Mrs. Henning," but that may just be an advertising slogan. Still, the menu is strong and varied, with such excellent fare as veal scaloppini alla Drew, broiled baby flounder with crabmeat, North Carolina rainbow trout, steak and oysters and the always popular fresh fruit au Kirch. On Sundays, march over to the extremely famous Sunday buffet. Even if you're not staying at the Holiday Inn, Henning's is worth a visit if you are hungry for a big meal at a moderate price. The Lobster House The Lobster House is so well known it's almost a landmark. As the name implies, the Lobster House is the place to go for live Maine lobster--if you're into that sort of thing. If lobster is not your game, sample other fresh seafood entrees. If beef is your taste, try the prime rib or charcoal steaks. It's closed on Mondays and is only open for dinner. The Pine Crest Inn Restaurant The Pine Crest Inn is a place where a lot of people stay, but more still come to the excellent restaurant that serves breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is a hearty affair complete with fresh fruit, eggs cooked to your liking, waffles, pancakes and other such goodies. After a round or two of golf, dinner is a slightly more formal affair served in one of two elegant dining rooms adjacent to the bar. Once again, there's a lot to eat. Start out with some fried button mushrooms in horseradish, then follow them up with entrees like rack of lamb, prime rib or filet mignon. Finish it all off with the greatest of all English desserts: trifle. Afterwards, return to the bar, where there is usually much merriment to be found. Raffaele's Raffaele's is situated at the northern end of the main business district in Southern Pines. The cuisine is Italian, and you'll find a real attention to detail in the preparation of the food. Raffaele's is a local favorite, so much so that one local told us not to write about it so it won't become too full of tourists. That's probably as good a recommendation as you can find in the Pinehurst area. Begin your meal with stuffed mushrooms, move on to spaghetti with Italian sausage and complement everything with a beefy bottle of Valpolicella. The menu isn't massively extensive, but we feel confident you'll find something you really enjoy. Raffaele's is open for lunch and dinner. Roma Gourmet Italian Restaurant At Roma Gourmet you'll find a menu that includes live lobster, steaks, seafood and Roma's brand of Italian cuisine. With advance notice, Giovanni Giannone will prepare anything your stomach desires. In addition to cooking, Giovanni will sing any of your old Italian favorites--although he doesn't necessarily need advance warning for this. For your information, Giovanni came to America from Sicily more than 25 years ago, jumped ship and ended up in Fayetteville. The Squire's Pub The Squire's is a fun watering hole and restaurant that's popular with locals and out-of-town golfers alike. The ambiance approaches that of an English pub, and you'll certainly find the same sort of friendliness. When the professional tours are in town, Squire's is a magnet. For instance, when the LPGA cruised through, long-hitting Laura Davies arrived with an entourage of 10 and proceeded to fill up the bar. The manager quantified the final bill as "plenty." If you're angling to see a famous golfer enjoying a drink and meal, this is a place where it might happen. Squires is a fantastic place to enjoy a drink. Choose from among more than 40 beers, most of them from England, and if you're in the mood for something stronger, how about a martini? (Two of these, and your handicap is five strokes less; three, and you'll be telling everyone that you just took £20 off Laura Davies.) Thai Orchid And now for something completely different. Thai Orchid is the only restaurant that serves good Thai food in an unpretentious setting. You won't be coming here for the atmosphere necessarily, but if you're a devotee of Thai food and you need a fix while golfing in Pinehurst, you'll want to come here. Try the Thai grilled steak, Bangkok duck or spicy and sour fish. Start with koong da bog (shrimp roll) and wash the whole meal down with a cool Singha beer from Thailand. You can have your food prepared Thai hot, extra hot, medium or mild. The restaurant also offers excellent lunch specials. You'll leave with change from a $5 bill.
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As we've mentioned, one of the
attractions of Pinehurst is the fact that there's something here for
everyone's budget. You can spend a lot of money here on places to play, or
you can spend a lot less on your hotel room and spend what you save to
play on the better golf courses. If you want tradition, service and
amenities, you'll find it here (for a price); if all you want is a basic
room with Clint Eastwood movies and a shower, you'll find that here as
well.
It should be noted that most of the following hotels have excellent
restaurants and wonderful dining rooms, some of which we've mentioned
above. They are all worth visiting for their restaurants, even if you are
not staying there as a guest. Refer to our Preface for an explanation of
the pricing code. Fairfield Inn by Marriott Fayetteville's Fairfield Inn by Marriott is by the All-American Freeway at U.S. Highway 401--one of the city's busiest intersections. The inn offers 135 clean and comfortable rooms at reasonable rates. You'll get free cable TV and local calls plus access to an outdoor pool. Children 17 and younger stay for free. Foxfire Resort and Country Club We've already told you that Foxfire has two fine Gene Hamm golf courses, but even if that were not so, you should consider staying at Foxfire anyway, particularly if you're looking for great value in a setting that's relaxed and secluded. Foxfire is also well suited for conferences. At Foxfire, you'll stay in a condominium equipped with fireplace, telephone, TV with ESPN and the Golf Channel, a living room, ample sleeping space and facilities to allow you to do your own cooking. Or wander over to the lodge for breakfast or dinner. There's also a lounge where the bartender will stay as late as you do. Play at other fine courses in the area can be arranged by the courteous and well-connected staff. You'll really enjoy the hospitality and value at Foxfire. Hampton Inn The Hampton Inn is a modern motel-style accommodation that's always popular with golfers and visitors. There are 126 guest rooms, and rates include free continental breakfast. Amenities include a pool, cable TV with HBO, meeting room, guest laundry room and fax service. Local phone calls are free. There are golf packages with access to 18 local golf courses. The Hampton Inn's location could not be better. The Holiday Inn As you enter Southern Pines from the north, you can't help but notice the Holiday Inn--it will be on your right just before you enter the main drag. For years the Holiday Inn has been a local stalwart and a popular place to stay among the golfing public. The hotel offers more than 160 guest rooms and suites. Enjoy the pool, room service, cable TV with HBO and four tennis courts plus a game room and fitness center. Golf packages are available, and most packages include free breakfast. Meeting and exhibit space is available as well. On-site Hennings restaurant offers three meals a day and serves a surprising variety of dishes plus a sizeable breakfast buffet. But most importantly, there's TAMS lounge, where, a few years ago, author Scott Martin served notice of his karaoke prowess with a show-stopping rendition of George Strait's "All My Ex's Live in Texas." The Holly Inn The Holly Inn was the first hotel in Pinehurst, and it lives on today as one of its finest. There's a wonderful and understated charm to the place that's both relaxing and timeless. You'll feel like you're stepping back in time as soon as you pass through the doors. That feeling hasn't left, even though Pinehurst Resort and Hotel recently purchased the property and outspent an unlimited budget restoring it to its former glory. Estimates vary, but Pinehurst is rumored to have spent about $10 million on this building. The results are truly magnificent. The restaurant is also worth mentioning because it's one of the best in Pinehurst. The dining room, with its cupola roof, is like a scene out of The Great Gatsby; check out the intricate molding. Feast on duck with a smoked salmon appetizer; wash it down with a robust claret. The rooms are all quite different, each wonderful and traditionally appointed with antique furniture. The inn offers a number of golf packages, and the golf course access is excellent, especially now that the Pinehurst runs the hotel. Once you've finished your round, relax with a gin and tonic in the garden, under a shade tree or on the veranda. The inn is part of the Historic Hotels of America and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club If you've read the description of the course at Mid Pines, you know the inn has always been a popular spot for meetings--and for good reason. Pinehurst Hotel notwithstanding, there might not be a more charming and stately building in the area. All 118 guest rooms are graciously furnished with period antiques. Other amenities are geared toward business meetings and include full conference facilities that are perfect for small to midsize groups. The inn actually dates back to 1921. The cuisine in the restaurant is wonderful, and you'll feel like you're getting away from it all in the traditional atmosphere. Golf packages are available, and the staff will work to get you a tee time at a course of your choosing other than Mid Pines or its sister course, Pine Needles. The Pinehurst Hotel at Pinehurst
Resort and Country Club We've already gone through what makes the golf courses at Pinehurst so special, and golf is what Pinehurst is all about, so read about the courses before you read about the hotel. Driving through the Village of Pinehurst, you will surely stumble across the grand and magnificent Pinehurst Hotel, now renamed The Carolina. It's hosted all the great golfers in addition to some of the most famous people in the universe. And it's been an award-winning accommodation 13 years in a row. As soon as you enter the hotel, your bags will be handled by a bellhop in plus-fours. Enjoy this new and wonderful experience as you're taken care of in 1920s fashion. The rooms are traditionally appointed but offer all modern conveniences. In addition to the golf courses, the hotel offers children's programs, a swimming pool, a lake, tennis courts, croquet, lawn bowls and historical tours. You'll find a variety of restaurants as well as the Ryder Cup Lounge, where you can have a drink and discuss whether Lanny should have picked Curtis as the wild-card choice (he shouldn't have). It's a place for a blowout, so get out the Osmium credit card . . . you'll enjoy every second of it. The Pine Crest Inn Donald Ross purchased the Pine Crest Inn in 1921 and owned it until his death in 1948. Thus, for the golfing purist, the Pine Crest Inn is a special place--almost hallowed territory. Today's Pine Crest Inn is known as one of the most popular and famous places to stay, eat and drink in Pinehurst. It's also one of the most fun and, at times, rambunctious--but in a polite way. The rooms are wonderfully appointed and offer modern amenities--in-room telephones and color TV with the all-important Golf Channel. The atmosphere is like being at home. The inn's excellent restaurant serves traditional cuisine. But perhaps the most famous part of the Pine Crest is Mrs. B's Bar where, since the inn's inception, golfers have come to recount their day of adventure and calamity on the links. The bartender, in addition to dispensing adult beverages, also flows with wit and wisdom about golf. And did we mention the occasional well-directed barb? One employee has said: "We have no featured or specialty drinks as such, but whatever the golfers drink, they usually end up singing." There's nothing pretentious about the Pine Crest; it's pure fun and pure golf. If there's a hotel with better access to local golf courses, please let us know. In addition to all the Pinehurst Courses (including #2), the folks at the Pine Crest can get you on just about anywhere, often at a special rate. Pine Needles For a full description of the magnificent course at Pine Needles, see the entry earlier in this chapter. The course is reserved for hotel guests only. The hotel offers 71 sleeping rooms in Swiss-style lodges. Room amenities include full bathrooms and showers, cable TV with ESPN and the Golf Channel and a great view of the enormous practice facility. Guest services include a heated pool, grass tennis courts, sauna, dining rooms, a lounge and learning center. The golf packages include unlimited greens fees on the Pine Needles course. The staff can arrange tee times for you at other courses in the area as well. Prince Charles Hotel and
Conference Center In historic downtown Fayetteville, the Prince Charles Hotel and Conference Center is an elegantly restored 105-room hotel that's one of the finest in the region. Luxurious suites with wet bars are available. You'll find conference space for up to 350 people. Ask about corporate rates as well. Chloe's restaurant features continental cuisine and is a great place to indulge in Sunday brunch. The Prince Charles is also home to Babe's, a nostalgic sports bar that serves an express lunch.
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A number of Pinehurst area
courses have excellent golf shops where you'll find just about everything
you'll need to outfit yourself for a round. And it's here that a number of
PGA pros have been trained in the art of personal club fitting.
Three prominent golf shops are in Southern Pines near the junction of
U.S. highways 1 and 15/501. Spoon and Mashie, (910) 944-1982, on
U.S. 1, is one the largest and best-equipped golf stores in the Carolinas
and carries just about every type of club made. The store can custom fit
clubs and offers full repair services as well. Robert's Golf and Tennis,
(910) 944-2757, offers a full range of gear and clubs in a friendly
atmosphere; it's on U.S. 1 in Aberdeen. And at Carolina Custom Golf,
behind the Chamber of Commerce on U.S. 15/501, Southern Pines, (910)
695-1670, you'll find a massive store as well as a range with mats where
you can pay $5 and hit balls all day.
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As you might expect, Pinehurst
is a great place to learn how to play or to improve your technique. Just
about every course has excellent practice facilities, many of which have
been specially designed by well-known architects. And most courses have
PGA professionals who are qualified to help you with your game. A couple
of courses boast teaching professionals who are sought after by the better
golfers in the Sandhills and the Carolinas. Probably the two best-known
golf schools are at Pinehurst and Pine Needles.
The Golf Advantage School at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club,
Carolina Vista Drive, Pinehurst, is designed to help golfers of all skill
levels improve their games. The school is supervised by former PGA
president Don Padgett. The maximum student-teacher ratio is 5-to-1, and
you'll get a chance to test your improved game on any of the eight great
Pinehurst courses. If you really want to get serious, you can stay for a
week's worth of school. Or, if you haven't got the time, stay for the
weekend. Either way, the program includes lodging for the entire stay,
three meals a day, daily greens fees and carts, unlimited range balls,
personal video analysis, personalized club fitting, access to all the
amenities and a graduation cocktail party. Quite a gig! Call (800)
795-4653 for the brochure and rates. Junior programs are also available.
At Pine Needles, on Midland Road in Southern Pines, Peggy Kirk Bell and
her staff will lead you on a Golfari. Either Bell or PGA touring
pro Pat McGowan will begin your day with an instructional session before
helping you on an individual basis with your swing. After lunch, play golf
all afternoon on the great Pine Needles course. The facilities at Pine
Needles are excellent, and there aren't many instructors with a better
reputation than Peggy Kirk Bell. For more information about instruction at
Pine Needles, call (800) 747-7272.
Taking a slightly different approach is the Woodlake Total
Performance Golf School at Woodlake Country Club, 150 Woodlake
Boulevard, in Vass. In addition to a full instructional program and access
to a wonderful golf course, your instruction includes fitness and
nutrition evaluations. Call (800) 334-1126 for more information. |
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