June PineStraw 2024

more than 35 Years

— Ariel Chenworth, Marketing Manager

June ����

the COver

Pinehurst No. 2 by Kelly Pelfrey

Contemporary Impressionist whose work is included in private collections throughout the United States and Canada, Kelly Pelfrey grew up in Cheraw, S.C. and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She currently lives in Montana and her art can be seen on her website at kellypelfrey.com or on Instagram @kellypelfreyart.

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Moore County’s Most Trusted Real Estate Team!

PINEHURST • $350,000

85 PINE VALLEY ROAD, UNIT 78

Great 2 BR / 2 BA golf-front condo overlooking several holes on Pinehurst #3 course. Upper, end unit with side balcony just a short walk to Pinehurst resort and PCC. Perfect for a golf getaway!

JACKSON SPRINGS • $440,000

276 DERBY ROAD

Wonderful 3 BR / 2 BA home situated on just over 9 acres with a pond. From the inviting front porch to the incredibly open layout this home is perfect for country living!

JACKSON SPRINGS • $117,000

TBD REYNVIEW ROAD – LOTS A & B

24 acres in peaceful Reynwood community. These parcels would be great for pasture and back up to Drowning Creek.

PINEHURST •$390,000

130 LOST TREE ROAD

Situated in the desirable Lake Pinehurst area, this 3 BR / 2 BA home is perfect for a family, a place to retire or a golf retreat. The layout is spacious with nicely remodeled kitchen!

JACKSON SPRINGS • $160,000

TBD REYNVIEW VISTA ROAD

Great large parcel bordering Drowning Creek. Location is private and a convenient commute to Fort Bragg and Camp MacKall.

JACKSON SPRINGS • $455,000 15 SADDLE LANE

Great 4 BR / 2.5 BA home situated on nearly 3 acres in quiet cul-de-sac. Home was built in 2021, has LVP flooring throughout and is conveniently located near Foxfire CC.

PINEHURST• $155,000

TBD QUAIL RUN

Nice 1.05 acre lot in popular Clarendon Gardens. Location convenient to shopping, dining and the First Health hospital and local medical complex.

WHISPERING PINES • $493,500

42 SHADOW LANE

Appealing 3 BR / 2.5 BA lake front home on Shadow Lake! Home is open with an abundance of space and beautiful lake views from nearly every room.

FOXFIRE • $212,000

168 SECOND WIND COURT

Picturesque lot offering a peaceful and serene setting among towering pines in gated equestrian community.

IN MOORE COUNTY REAL ESTATE FOR OVER 20 YEARS!

Luxury Properties

SEVEN LAKES NORTH • $875,000 195 SHAGBARK COURT

Wonderful 4 BR / 3 Full BA, 2 Half BA home on 5-acre tract in gated 7LN. Hardwood flooring throughout main living area, beautiful kitchen, nice upper loft area and amazing barn with upstairs apartment. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own your own private haven!

Beautiful 4 BR / 3.5 BA home on the 10th tee of the Magnolia course in Pinewild CC. Home has wonderful curb appeal with special features and fine finishes throughout.

PINEHURST • $585,000 80 GRAY FOX RUN

Attractive 3 BR / 2.5 BA single-level, brick home in Clarendon Gardens. Spacious open concept floorplan with hardwood flooring in main living area and nice large laundry room with extra space for office or hobby room. Transferable PCC membership available.

Unique 4 BR / 4 BA 3-level, waterfront home situated on nice double lot in private No. 6 location. Home is well-maintained with lots of space and an abundance of privacy. Transferable PCC membership available.

Waterfront 3 BR / 3 BA home on Lake Sequoia! Interior is spacious with gorgeous lake views from the living room.

SEVEN LAKES NORTH • $500,000 110 COBBLESTONE COURT UNDER CONTRACT

MAGNOLIA CIRCLE

Well-appointed 3 BR / 2 BA golf front home in Longleaf CC. Floorplan is incredibly spacious with cozy kitchen/breakfast nook and gorgeous Carolina room. Location is convenient to downtown Southern Pines as well as the Village of Pinehurst!

CARTHAGE • $559,500

Beautiful wooded 58-acre tract in rural northern Moore County. The tract straddles Spence Road and is convenient to NC 22.

Browse Inventory, Get Pre-Approved, or Complete Paperwork

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Check out our Advantage Plan that is guaranteed with every purchase.

PINEHURST TOYOTA ADVANTAGE PLAN

At Pinehurst Toyota, we’re more than just a dealership. We’re a family. Every time you step onto our lot, our goal is to make sure you are 100% satisfied with your visit, whether you’re looking to purchase a new ride, secure financing for that vehicle, have your current auto serviced, or buy genuine Toyota parts. You can count on our staff to make you their number-one priority. Interested in joining the family?

Thanks to your support, we have won: Best of The Pines 2023 for the #1 Dealership Service Department. Schedule your appointment today to experience #1 Service

2024 Toyota Crown

vOlume 20, nO. 6

David Woronoff, Publisher david@thepilot.com

Andie Stuart Rose, Creative Director andiesouthernpines@gmail.com

Jim Moriarty, Editor jjmpinestraw@gmail.com

Miranda Glyder, Graphic Designer miranda@pinestrawmag.com

Alyssa Kennedy, Digital Art Director alyssamagazines@gmail.com

Emilee Phillips, Digital Content emilee@pinestrawmag.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Jim Dodson, Stephen E. Smith

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

John Gessner, Laura L. Gingerich, Diane McKay, Tim Sayer

CONTRIBUTORS

Jenna Biter, Anne Blythe, Keith Borshak, Tom Bryant, Susan Campbell, Bill Case, Wiley Cash

Tony Cross, Brianna Rolfe Cunningham, Mart Dickerson, Bill Fields, Meridith Martens, Mary Novitsky, Lee Pace, Todd Pusser, Joyce Reehling, Deborah Salomon, Scott Sheffield, Rose Shewey, Angie Tally, Kimberly Daniels Taws, Daniel Wallace, Ashley Walshe, Claudia Watson, Amberly Glitz Weber

ADVERTISING SALES

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ADVERTISING GRAPHIC DESIGN

Mechelle Butler, Scott Yancey PS

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

910.693.2488

OWNERS

Jack Andrews, Frank Daniels III, David Woronoff

Sun-Mon: Closed. / Tues: Private Appointments Only. / Wed-Fri: 12-5. Sat: 12-4. Email info@knickers-lingerie.com or call 910-725-2346 150 E. New Hampshire Ave / Southern Pines, NC 28387

In memoriam Frank Daniels Jr. 145 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387 www.pinestrawmag.com

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When Losing is Winning

Seeing the world through missing glasses

By Jim DODsOn

“Oh I have been to Ludlow Fair. And left my necktie God knows where.” – A.E. Houseman

The other day, I lost my latest pair of expensive eyeglasses. Sadly, I seem to lose my spectacles on a regular basis. My wife, Wendy, jokes that she keeps a running account with Warby Parker.

reading, writing or examining something up close, I typically remove them and — apparently — forget where I put them down. Out of sight, out of mind.

All of this invariably has me pondering lost things in this world, including people.

Just for fun, I made a rough count of eyeglasses I’ve lost over the past 23 years of our marriage. I gave up the count after six, which happens to be this year’s total alone. At least one of those pricey pairs of specs was never found. It vanished into the magical Land of Lost Things without a trace. Of the remaining missing five, Wendy found two pairs in the pockets of old work shirts and a third in a sports coat I haven’t worn since Christmas. The fourth pair turned up in a rose bush where I was doing some early spring pruning. The fifth and final missing pair — my hip, whiskey-hued tortoiseshell sunglasses — finally revealed themselves in my golf bag, where I left them two weeks ago.

Dame Wendy’s theory to explain my penchant for losing my glasses is that I have so much on my mind — i.e. deadlines, books to read, garden stuff, my aging golf swing, the general state of the world, etc. In short, there’s little room remaining to remember where I leave things that I don’t particularly deem essential.

My explanation for this perpetual problem comes from my being nearsighted and only needing glasses to see objects in the distance, including, but not limited to, golf balls, birds at the feeder in the yard, street numbers, the fine print on billboards, UFOs and interesting cloud formations. When I’m

We Americans are obsessed with winning and losing. The worlds of politics and sports are the most obvious examples. One presidential candidate calls people “losers” and insists that America will cease to exist if he isn’t re-elected Commander in Chief next November; while the other declares that democracy is doomed if his opponent somehow wins. Meanwhile, billions of dollars from wealthy team supporters flood our college sports, where winning is the only name of the game.

Up on Wall Street, meanwhile, where predicting winners and losers is the holy writ of American commerce, we watch the record Dow rise as if we’re running with the bulls, staying one step ahead with the nettlesome awareness that what goes up inevitably comes down. As the gap between the haves and have-nots ever widens, we associate wealth with winning and poverty as a stubborn inconvenient truth. Jesus, after all, said the poor will always be with us. He also asked what profit it is for a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul?

Sometimes being lost or losing is the best thing that can happen to you.

Last year, I lost 40 pounds and have never felt physically better. I’ve even managed to give up (mostly) my gifted baker wife’s unearthly delicious cookies, pies and cakes, though I draw the line at giving up her lemon-ginger scones and a daily large chai tea latte.

More than once I have been lost on America’s country back roads in some of the most beautiful cities in the world, only

to discover wonderful people, places and things I would never would have encountered otherwise. One of the sad truths of our GPS-equipped smart phones is that we can never truly be lost anywhere in the world these days unless the juice runs out.

Losing one’s fear of those who don’t share our opinions, tastes, gender, lifestyle, religion, race or brand of politics can be a courageous and very healthy thing, quite possibly the first step toward regaining the kind of social civility that could heal this divided country and bring us all a step closer together as Americans.

Many years ago, due to my work and strengthening faith, I even lost my fear of dying by choosing to believe that each day is actually a reason to feel grateful for being alive — even on socalled “bad” days when nothing seems to go right.

Losing a loved one to disease or tragedy, on the other hand, exists in a category all its own, though the passage of time and memories can often be an unexpected path to healing and awakening. I lost both of my parents more than two decades ago, yet today I seem to hear their wonderful voices and wise words clearer than ever.

My mom was the one who stressed the importance of losing one’s fear and judgment of others in a multi-hued world where everyone is different, a value system I saw her live every day of her life. It’s something I aspire to but admittedly still struggle with at times. Forever a work in progress, I suppose.

My dad was a fine baseball player in his youth and, later in life, became a terrific golfer. Following in his wake, I was something of a hotheaded kid who hated to lose at either of those

games. It was he, however, who pointed out that my boyhood sports hero, the great amateur golfer Bobby Jones, said he never learned anything from winning a golf tournament.

In truth, it took me many years — and no shortage of lost games and golf matches — to appreciate my old man’s belief that being a good loser is, in fact, the road to someday being a gracious winner. When I was about 10 years old, he placed a framed copy of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” on my bedroom wall. I can still recite my favorite passages by memory.

And I don’t even need glasses to see the timeless vision of these words.

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings — nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,    Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son! PS

Jim Dodson can be reached at jwdauthor@gmail.com.

GrouP

photo by Teresa Gillespie

Discover Penick Village’s Newest Expansion!

Introducing Penick Village’s Newest Expansion, designed to elevate your way of living.

Comfortable Living Spaces: Step into comfort with our 44 beautifully designed Independent Living residences, each thoughtfully crafted to provide you with a home that’s as comfortable as it is stylish.

Village Pavilion: In our state-of-the-art wellness building, you can engage in various activities, including Pickleball, personal training, and an overall focus on your health and wellness.

Comprehensive Healthcare: The Terrace, our health services building, has been enhanced and renovated, providing exceptional personalized care tailored to your needs.

Welcoming Community: Wave at our security team in the updated Welcome House, a space designed to safely welcome you, and your guests, into our community.

ACT NOW: Take advantage of our special pre-opening pricing and benefits. Join our community and secure your new home today, where you can live your life to its fullest potential! Contact us at (910) 692-0199, email info@penickvillage1964.org, or scan the QR Code to learn more.

5 Bedrooms | 8 Bathrooms Pinehurst, NC 28374

$3,400,000

Nestled behind the prestigious gates of the Country Club of North Carolina, this exquisite property offers the perfect blend of elegance and relaxation. With over 7,000 square feet of living space, set on 5 acres of manicured grounds, there is privacy both inside and outside, making this the ultimate haven for those seeking an escape. For Golf Enthusiasts, this is an absolute dream come true! Enjoy the convenience of having direct access to one of the most prestigious courses, and waking up to the breath taking views of the lush green golf course right at your back yard.

PinePitch

Dream Sequence

Gary Taylor Dance journeys to an alternate universe of color, dance and infinite possibilities in its three-act production of “Cirque Dreams & Illusions” at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, and again at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 2. Also on June 1 at 2 p.m., “Cirque Dreams Jr.” highlights the PK Dance and Elementary Dance Studio programs. For ticketing and information visit www.ticketmesandhills.com or go to www.taylordance.org.

USGA/CHRIS KEANE

In Case You Haven’t Heard

The United States Open Championship will be conducted on Pinehurst’s storied No. 2 course the week of June 10-16. The championship rounds will be June 13-16. It’s our national championship, folks. If you need to know anything else visit www.vopnc.org or www.usopen.com.

Judge and Jury

The Artists League of the Sandhills is holding a reception for its judged exhibit and sale “Art to Appreciate” on Friday, June 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Artists League of the Sandhills, 129 Exchange St., Aberdeen. The show will hang through June 28. For information go to www.artistleague.org.

Jazz It Up

The Sandhills Community College Jazz Band will hold its summer concert featuring the sounds of Henry Mancini and Duke Ellington on Monday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. at SCC, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. For more information call (910) 315-6900.

Rushing Waters by Kathy Petz

Get a Jump on It

The North Carolina Hunter Jumper Association’s annual show begins on Monday, June 24, and continues through Sunday, June 30, at the Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford. For information go to www.carolinahorsepark.com.

U.S. Open Showcase

The village of Pinehurst and the United States Golf Association have teamed to create the U.S. Open Showcase at Tufts Park during the week of the championship. There will be a 9 x 12 foot LED screen, a golf simulator, putting green and live streaming of the tournament for those hoping to enjoy the competition outside the gates. Parking in the business district on the street and in the Village Green parking lot will be available, up to a three-hour limit. After 5 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday, visitors should park

Schedule of Events

Monday, June 10

• 10 a.m. SLAM Fitness Class

Tuesday, June 11

• 8 a.m. Yoga in the Park

• 10 a.m. Historical Walking Tour

• 1 p.m. Paint by Number in the Park

• 8 p.m. Movie in the Park: The Greatest Game Ever Played

Wednesday, June 12

• 8 a.m. Yoga in the Park

Founding Father

Enjoy a virtual conversation with Eric Weiner, the author of Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life, at The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, on Tuesday, June 25 at 1 p.m. For information visit www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Take a Load Off

The village of Pinehurst, the Pinehurst Business Partners and the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau have collaborated to create “Rock the Village.” This art installation celebrates the return of the U.S. Open to Pinehurst No. 2 and features 48 sponsored rocking chairs positioned in the village and painted by local artists. Proceeds benefit the First Tee – Sandhills. Rock on. For more information go to www.rockthevillage.com.

at Cannon Park, where complimentary shuttles will transport guests to and from the Village Green. Parking at Cannon Park prior to 5 p.m. requires a permit. The roads in the village center will remain open during the day, with limited closures on Wednesday and Saturday evenings to accommodate scheduled events. During June 10-16 the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the village's temporary social district. Space is limited for the walking tours and the history presentation at the Tufts Archives. Preregister at www.vopnc.org.

• 10 a.m. SLAM Fitness Class

• 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Farmers Market

• 5 p.m. History of Pinehurst presentation in the Tufts Archives

• 7 p.m. Military Appreciation Night and Concert with a pipe and drum ensemble, military video tribute, the 82nd Airborne Military Chorus and the Sand Band.

Thursday, June 13

• 8 a.m. Yoga in the Park

• 10 a.m. Historical Walking Tour

• 1 p.m. Paint by Number in the Park

• 8 p.m. Music with Rock It Productions

Friday, June 14

• 8 a.m. Yoga in the Park

• 1 p.m. Live Music

• 8 p.m. Whiskey Pines Concert

Saturday, June 15

• 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Farmers Market

• 8 p.m. Parks Brothers Band Concert

Sunday, June 16

• 9 a.m. Golf Conditioning Exercises

Ashley Lovegrove and Barbara Baker's By Golly

Down to the Bones

Join Sara E. Johnson to discuss her new novel The Hungry Bones on Wednesday, June 19, at 6 p.m., at The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. A human skeleton, believed to be the bones of a Chinese gold miner, has been exhumed in a quaint former gold rush town in New Zealand. Johnson’s protagonist, Alexa Glock, is called in to examine the teeth and the secrets they contain. She didn't expect to discover a hole in the skull. When another skeleton is unearthed nearby and also shows evidence of a violent death, Alexa digs into both cases. The secrets she uncovers make her dangerously unpopular with those who want to keep the past buried. Reserve your spot at ticketmesandhills.com.

Star Gazing

The Starworks gallery, 100 Russell Drive, Star, opens its Craft Invitational, featuring some of the region’s most talented craft artists encompassing glass, ceramics, metal, wood and fiber, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 8. The cost is $5. If you want a sneak peek there is a preview reception on Friday, June 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets for the early look are $25. For more information go to www.starworksnc.org.

PHOTOGRAPH

Lumbee Film Festival

The sixth annual Lumbee Film Festival begins during Lumbee Homecoming at 12 p.m. Friday, July 5, and continues on Saturday, July 6, at the Thomas School of Business Auditorium, 1 University Drive, Pembroke. The festival showcases original new films made by Native Americans, Indigenous filmmakers and American Indians, especially members of the Lumbee Tribe living in North Carolina and across the United States. For questions email dan@cucalorus.org or kim@kimpevia.org.

Great Balls of Fire

The Livin’ Is Easy

The town of Vass is hosting a summer festival with live music, vendors and plenty of food on Saturday, June 8, on Seaboard Street in Vass. For information call (910) 245-4677 or go to www.townofvassnc.gov

After he played Jerry Lee Lewis in the musical Million Dollar Quartet, the Sandhills Repertory Theatre brings Jason Cohen and his portrayal of The Killer to the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines for two shows on Saturday, June 1, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. “Jerry Lee Lewis & Friends” features the songs of Lewis and his contemporaries Elvis, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly. Tickets are $36. For further information call (910) 420-2549 or go to www.sunrisetheater.com. Located in the Middle of Pinehurst 5 Minutes from Moore County Airport 5 Minutes to Pinehurst Resort

We serve Thai and American cuisines Sandwiches | Burgers | Salads | Thai Foods Local Beers and Local ingredients

• Delivery through DoorDash and Grubhub

Gemini

(May 21 – June 20)

They say the longest trek a soul can take is the one between the head and heart. While this is doubly true for you, Gemini, suffice it to say that the Venus Cazimi on June 4 is going to expedite your journey. While you’re used to staying camped out in the frenzied chambers of your own mind, get ready for a month that’s all about feeling. Despite past experiences, being vulnerable with others is not, in fact, your kryptonite. Bon voyage!

Tea leaf “fortunes” for the rest of you:

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Easy does it.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Two words: airplane mode.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Take your vitamins.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Don’t pick the scab.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

There’s treasure to be found.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Listen for what’s behind the words.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Give yourself some grace.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

Breathe into your belly.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

It’s going to be dicey.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

Hit the pause button.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Just walk away. PS

Zora Stellanova has been divining with tea leaves since Game of Thrones’ Starbucks cup mishap of 2019. While she’s not exactly a medium, she’s far from average. She lives in the N.C. foothills with her Sphynx cat, Lyla.

© 2024

Quail Haven Village

Nestled amidst the serene beauty of Southern Pines, North Carolina, this exquisite French country estate beckons with its timeless charm and captivating allure. Boasting five bedrooms, three full baths, and two half baths, this distinguished residence embodies the epitome of refined living. Outside, the enchanting garden area beckons with its lush greenery and manicured landscaping, reminiscent of a picturesque park. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll or an alfresco dining experience, this tranquil oasis offers the perfect backdrop for relaxation and enjoyment.

Letters from Death Row

Finding purpose behind bars

By A nne Blythe

Much has been written about how the art of letter writing has been in decline for years — except in prisons. Behind the barbed fences, putting pen to paper remains a vital connection to the world outside the prison walls. It was one such letter that launched Rap and Redemption on Death Row: Seeking Justice and Finding Purpose Behind Bars, a book by Alim Braxton and Mark Katz.

Braxton, born Michael Jerome Jackson on June 1, 1974, has been in prison since he was 19 years old, incarcerated more than a quarter-century of that time on North Carolina’s death row. His co-author, Katz, is a music professor at UNC-Chapel Hill who started the Carolina Hip Hop Institute in the summer of 2019.

Braxton, who chose the Muslim name Alim in prison, read a newspaper story about the program and wrote a letter to Katz in August 2019 asking for help. Rap music had been a big part of Braxton’s life, even before prison. He had been writing and recording lyrics over the phone but was not pleased with the sound quality.

Let’s get this out of the way: Braxton killed three people and robbed two others. He accepts responsibility and apologizes for killing Emmanuel Ogauyo, Donald Bryant and Dwayne Caldwell, as he does for robbing Susan Indula and Lindanette Walker.

“I know my situation may seem despairing and perhaps unlike anyone you’ve worked with before, but despite the circumstances I still have faith and I still have a dream, and I believe that with the right sound and someone who knows what to do with my vocals I can accomplish something BIG!” Braxton wrote to Katz, who held on to the letter for a month.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to offer my help,” Katz writes in the preface to the book. “I didn’t know him, and after all, this

request was coming from a convicted murderer.” He decided to respond anyway.

“I was intrigued by his passion. I also saw an earnestness is his neatly handwritten letter that amplified the sincerity of his words,” Katz writes.

That led to a relationship and the exchange of many letters to build a team of people who worked with Braxton to record his first album — the first-ever recorded from death row — and to this book.

“It wasn’t long into our correspondence that I came to believe that Alim’s letters were worth preserving and making public, and that is what spurred me to suggest the possibility of a book,” Katz writes. “Earlier in my career, I had spent many hours in archives reading correspondence by famous musicians. I would count myself lucky anytime I found a single paragraph of interest out of a batch of letters. That is not the case with Alim’s letters.”

Braxton’s blunt but colorful accounts of how he got to prison and his life inside it are contemplative and eye-opening. He gives readers a glimpse of the inmate hierarchy, the violence, the loss of dignity, privacy and rights, the code of survival and his path to redemption, love, a wife and even hope for the future despite his circumstances.

His rap, which is interspersed with the narrative, is personal and wide-ranging. His lyrics offer views of the George Floyd protests, COVID, pop culture and much more. In telling his story,

OMNIVOROUS

Braxton wants to make sure that the stories of others — those on death row who maintain their innocence and have cases he believes involve wrongful convictions — are lifted up with his rap.

Braxton grew up in a rough-and-tumble Raleigh neighborhood about 2 miles from Central Prison. There are times he dreams of nearby places he visited as a boy or the rolling Dix Park across the busy boulevard from the prison cell “the size of a bathroom” he now lives in.

“I have fond memories of my childhood growing up in Raleigh, but as I wrote in my song, ‘Unremarkable,’ it’s also where I learned ‘to thug it properly.’ Stealing, fighting and drinking were rites of passage in my neighborhood,” Braxton writes. “My descent into crime didn’t happen overnight. I got my feet wet shoplifting around the age of 11. By the time I was 16 I had gone to prison for two months for stealing a car. I soaked up more criminal knowledge while inside, and after my release, the front gate became a revolving door, with three dozen arrests and three additional stints in prison.”

In vivid detail, Braxton goes on to describe his first time with a gun, his move from a pistol to a sawed-off shotgun, the first time he killed a person, and the almost out-of-body experience he had during those times. It was as if he was playing a role in a movie or a TV show, he wrote. He says the adage “the decisions you make today determine your tomorrow” rolls around in his head, especially when he thinks about the 1993 robbery spree

where he claimed the lives of two people.

“Why didn’t I just leave at some point during that February night in 1993?” Braxton writes. “The truth is that I was afraid that I would look weak. I know now that it’s not weak to walk away from something you don’t want to be involved in. . . . Not walking away was a pivotal decision that changed the course of my life forever.”

Not walking away from a conflict in prison is what landed him on death row. He had been spared the death penalty and given two life sentences plus 110 years for the 1993 robberyturned-kidnapping-turned-murder. Then he stabbed a fellow inmate to death.

Although North Carolina has had a de facto moratorium on the death penalty since 2006 while lawsuits make their way through the courts, the possibility of executions starting again looms.

“The true reality of life on Death Row is that every day is a life of fear, regret and humiliation . . . ,” Braxton wrote in a newspaper letter to the editor published in the book. “I live every day with the fear of standing before my God and accounting for my deeds.” PS

Anne Blythe has been a reporter in North Carolina for more than three decades covering city halls, higher education, the courts, crime, hurricanes, ice storms, droughts, floods, college sports, health care and many wonderful characters who make this state such an interesting place.

Greenbrier Lane, Pinehurst

The golf courses in our area have been renowned for their contributions to the game of golf. Many prestigious tournaments have been conducted beneath the Pines in the Sandhills. The excellence of the golf courses and the history of our area have created a “bucket list” destination for those individuals who ask to experience some of the best golf has to offer.

At Allison and Associates our goal is for our patients to experience some of the best dentistry has to offer. As in golf, dentistry has definitely experienced technological advancements. These ensure better outcomes for patients due to increased precision and advancements of materials. Ultimately in golf, the champion is determined by the mental fortitude and skill set of the player. In dentistry, the artistry and skill is defined by the hands and mind of the dentist who wields said technology.

FICTION

Husbands & Lovers, by Beatriz Williams

June Books

Two women — separated by decades and continents, and united by an exotic family heirloom — reclaim secrets and lost loves in this sweeping novel from The New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Wives. New England, 2022: Single mother Mallory Dunne receives the telephone call every parent dreads — her 10-year-old son Sam has been airlifted from summer camp with acute poisoning from a toxic mushroom, leaving him fighting for his life. In a search for the donor kidney that will give her son a chance for a normal life, Mallory is forced to confront two harrowing secrets from her past: her mother’s adoption from an infamous Irish orphanage in 1952, and her own all-consuming summer romance 14 years earlier with her childhood best friend, Monk Adams, a fairytale cut short by a devastating betrayal. Cairo, 1951: After suffering tragedy beyond comprehension in the war, Hungarian refugee Hannah Ainsworth has forged a respectable new life for herself — marriage to a wealthy British diplomat and a coveted posting in glamorous Cairo. A fateful encounter with the enigmatic manager of a hotel bristling with spies leads to a passionate affair that will reawaken Hannah’s longing for everything she once lost. Timeless and bittersweet, Husbands & Lovers draws readers on an unforgettable journey of heartbreak and redemption, from the revolutionary fires of midcentury Egypt to the moneyed beaches of contemporary New England.

A Happier Life,

by Kristy Woodson Harvey

The bestselling author of The Summer of Songbirds presents a tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a lifechanging summer in North Carolina. Present day: Keaton Smith is desperate for a fresh start, so when her mother needs someone to put her childhood home in Beaufort, North Carolina, on the market — the home that Keaton didn’t know existed until now — she jumps at the chance to head south. The moment she steps foot inside the abandoned house, she’s confronted with secrets about grandparents who died in a car accident before she was born. And as she gets to know her charming next-door neighbor, his precocious 10-year-old son and a flock of endearingly feisty town busybodies, she soon finds she has more questions than answers. 1976: After meeting her adoring husband, Townsend, Rebecca “Becks” Saint James abandoned the life she knew and never looked back. Forty years later, she’s made a name for herself as the best hostess North Carolina has ever seen. Her

annual summer suppers have become the stuff of legend, and locals and out-of-towners alike clamor for an invitation to her stunning historic home. Becks strives to make the lives of those around her as easy as possible, but this summer she is facing a dilemma that even she can’t solve. As both Keaton and Becks face new challenges and chapters, they are connected through time by the house on Sunset Lane, which has protected the secrets, hopes and dreams of the women in their family for generations.

Summer Romance, by Annabel Monaghan

The bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script pens this romantic and hilarious story of a professional organizer whose life is a mess, and the summer she gets unstuck with the help of someone unexpected from her past. Ali Morris is a professional organizer whose own life is a mess. Her mom died two years ago, then her husband left, and she hasn’t worn pants with a zipper in longer than she cares to remember. No one is more surprised than Ali when the first time she takes off her wedding ring and puts on pants with hardware she meets someone. Or rather, her dog claims a man for her . . . by peeing on him. Ethan looks at Ali as if she’s a younger, braver version of herself. The last thing the newly single mom needs is to make her life messier, but there’s no harm in a little summer romance. Is there?

Swan Song, by Elin Hilderbrand

The New York Times bestselling author brings her Nantucket novels to a brilliant finish when rich strangers move to the island and social mayhem — and a possible murder — follow. Can Nantucket’s best locals save the day and their way of life? Chief of police Ed Kapenash is about to retire. Blonde Sharon is going through a divorce. When a $22,000,000 summer home is purchased by the mysterious Richardsons (how did they make their money, exactly?), Ed, Sharon and everyone in the community are swept up in high drama. The Richardsons throw lavish parties, flirt with multiple locals, flaunt their wealth with not one but two yachts, and raise the impossible hopes of everyone they meet. When their house burns to the ground and their most essential employee goes missing, the entire island is up in arms.

Not In Love, by Ali Hazelwood

Rue Siebert might not have it all, but she has enough: a few friends she can always count on, the financial stability she yearned for as a kid, and a successful career as a biotech engineer at one of the most promising startups in the field of food science. Her world

is stable, pleasant and hardfought — until a hostile takeover and its offensively attractive front man threatens to bring it all crumbling down. Eli Killgore has his own reasons for pushing this deal through, and he’s a man who gets what he wants — with one burning exception: Rue, the woman he can’t stop thinking about. Torn between loyalty and an undeniable attraction, Rue and Eli throw caution out the lab and the boardroom windows. Their affair is secret, no-strings-attached, and has a built-in deadline: the day one of their companies will prevail. A forbidden, secret affair proves that all’s fair in love and science.

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The First Ladies, by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women’s rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends, confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams — and holding each other’s hands through tragedy and triumph. When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR’s, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband’s secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial first lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, it only fuels the women’s desire to fight together for justice and equality.

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CHILDREN’S BOOKS

The Pelican Can! by Toni Yuly

Pelicans: lovely to watch and just as lovely to read about. This rhythmic picture book shares the beauty of a pelican’s day with scientific facts and delightful illustrations, making it the perfect read-together at the end of a long beach day. (Ages 2-6.)

Chloe and Maude, by Sandra Boynton

Adventures await with best friends Chloe and Maude. Art! Hiking! Even a tiny disagreement — everything is more fun with a friend. A perfect choice for fans of Elephant & Piggie or Frog and Toad who are looking for short chapter books. (Ages 5-8.)

If You Spot a Shell, by Aimée Sicuro Conch, whelk, scallop, moon snail . . . who hasn’t, on a beach day, seen hats and boats and spiraling wheels while looking at these stunning shells? If You Spot a Shell celebrates the beauty and creativity of beach art and is a great read-together after a long sun-washed beach day. (Ages 3-8.)

Trouble at the Tangerine, by Gillian McDunn

All Simon Hyde wants to do on the day his family moves into Tangerine Pines is settle into his forever home. But a fire alarm, a stolen necklace and a missing bracelet may send the Hydes on a path to seek a new home sooner rather than later. This charming mystery is the perfect summer story for animal lovers, adventure seekers and budding foodies. (Ages 9-12.) PS

Compiled by Kimberly Daniels Taws and Angie Tally.

A Dann for All Seasons

And a missing face in the crowd

By Bill Fields

Thousands of people will be in Pinehurst for the 124th U.S. Open. I’m going to miss someone who won’t be there.

I saw Michael Dann for the last time in 2014 during the back-to-back Pinehurst Opens. We played golf at Pine Needles, the final round of what had to be hundreds together, most of them in the 1970s when I was a teenager, he a young man, two golf nuts on a search for the secret.

His was the lower score that June day, as it usually was, although there was one notable exception in the late ’70s when we were playing at Hyland Hills in qualifying for the town amateur. I came to the 18th tee three under, needing a par to break 70 for the first time. In those days there was a bunker behind the 18th green. Pumped up, I found it with my approach and had to get up-and-down for 69. When my sand shot trickled into the hole for a birdie, Michael was happier than I was. I don’t have the scorecard or the ball from that day but can still hear him, my gallery of one, shouting, “William Henderson!” as he liked to do.

of playing a lot. He shot in the low- to mid70s plenty of times we played, so it was no surprise when he averaged 76.50 for the six-round fundraiser at Pinehurst.

He was a writer-photographer at Golf World magazine in the 1970s, and even though he was just in his 20s, had a seasoned background in the game. His father, Marshall, had been a sportswriter in Detroit before becoming the executive director of the Western Golf Association in 1960, a post he held for 28 years. Michael grew up in the Chicago suburbs and studied journalism at the University of Illinois, where he was on the golf team. His dad ran the Western Open as part of his duties, so it made sense that the son did his master’s thesis on “Preparation and Operation of a Major Professional Golf Tournament.”

Despite a 10-year age difference, Michael was one of my best friends in those days — buddy, sounding board, mentor. We clicked from the start. I met him in 1973 when he was a volunteer instructor for Recreation Department golf lessons at the Campbell House field. I could get the ball airborne in a group of mostly rank beginners, and soon Michael and I were playing and practicing together.

We played in the heat and the cold. Once, arriving at Foxfire for a frigid one-day event, I wondered why there was a roll of Saran Wrap in Michael’s trunk. “For our feet,” he said. They stayed warm, if a bit sweaty. When Michael and Jeff Burey played a 108-hole charity marathon for National Golf Day in 1978, Mike packed a jar of pickle juice in case he started cramping on the hot summer day.

Michael had a poor man’s Hale Irwin action — a steeper plane on the way down than going back — that was grooved from years

When he became director of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Michael had a chance to follow in Marshall’s footsteps and run the 1981 Hall of Fame Tournament. Because of a lack of sponsorship dollars, the event was in jeopardy until a couple of months prior to the September dates. When they had rustled up enough money to make it happen, Michael hired me, fresh out of UNC, to handle public relations. Michael and I didn’t get to play much golf in that period, but we had plenty of laughs. You are forgiven if you don’t recall that Morris Hatalsky was our champion.

Michael and his wife, Dianne, had two sons and a daughter. From 1992 until his unexpected death in July of 2014, at 65, he worked at the Carolinas Golf Association as director of course rating and handicapping. It was a long title that simply meant many folks around the two states had the opportunity to spend time around him, whose kindness, wit and love of golf made him hard to forget.

His friends and colleagues at the CGA play their annual staff tournament, The Dann Cup, in his honor, and many of us think of him often. PS

Southern Pines native Bill Fields, who writes about golf and other things, moved north in 1986 but hasn’t lost his accent.

Michael Dann

Our collections are created from a generous uniform donation by Veterans who have honorably served our country

HOW IT WORKS

1) Uniforms are carefully deconstructed

2) Leather flags are strategically placed onto the uniform and hand-cut in our Souther n Pines, NC shop

3) All Eagle Collection items come with a shoe tag that includes the Veteran’s name, branch of service, and unit

4) 20% of profits go to the Veteran’s charity of choice

Wild Clay, Ancient Art

Takuro and Hitomi Shibata shape pots — and their community

By liz A RoBeRts

Eighteen years ago, when ceramic artists Takuro and Hitomi Shibata moved to Seagrove from the ancient pottery village of Shigaraki, Japan, they had with them nothing but a couple of suitcases, a rescued stray cat and plans for a short adventure.

Today they are pillars of the community. Hitomi is a respected and prolific Seagrove ceramic artist, and Takuro, a fellow potter and the procurer and refiner of most of the area’s local clay, is a community fulcrum. They live with their two American-born sons on Busbee Road in a striking modernist house designed by a protégé of famed architect Frank Harmon, built in part with their own hands. Their wood-fired kilns are a stone’s throw from its front door, and the tiny farmhouse where they first lived on the

property now serves as a gallery for their work. Their former garage is now their studio.

The art they make here and sell under the Studio Touya name is distinctly their own. Hitomi’s sculptural pieces have the rounded, organic shapes of abstract feminine nudes. Takuro’s are distinct for their architectural geometry, acute angles and jutting planes. It’s impossible to see the couple’s pieces side by side and not admire the harmony of their yin and yang.

A reverence for local clay is at the heart of the couple’s individual art and their mutual business. They put that shared love and knowledge into Wild Clay: Creating Ceramics and Glazes from Natural and Found Resources, a book they co-wrote and published with Herbert Press in 2022. Its publication took their local story to an international audience, changing their business and their work in the process.

“We have been very busy doing more exhibitions and workshops outside of North Carolina, nationally and internationally,” Hitomi says. “Especially after releasing our book, we were invited to ceramic conferences, meetings and workshops to talk about our clay stories from Shigaraki to North Carolina.” When so much time on the road meant less time for making pots, the couple decided to refine their work. “We tried to improve the quality of our art,” Hitomi says. “Also, using beautiful wild clays and natural materials, which we have been doing for many years, became even more important for our artistic practices.”

Finding Home

The couple credits the Seagrove community and its native clay for nurturing the art they originally learned in Shigaraki. The first time they saw this place, they had a feeling it would be important to them. “We were surprised,” Hitomi recalls. “There were so many pottery studios. We realized Seagrove was the biggest pottery community in the United States.”

They’d come down from a Virginia artist’s residence on a Greyhound bus at the invitation of Nancy Gottovi (now executive director of nearby arts hub Starworks) and her husband, Seagrove potter David Stumpfle, who had visited Shigaraki a few years earlier.

The Shibatas loved what they saw, but their visas were up.

Two years later, Gottovi called again. She was working with Central Park NC, an organization dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural assets of central North Carolina, and offered Takuro, who has an engineering and chemistry degree, an opportunity to establish a clay factory to serve Seagrove’s potters.

The Shibatas jumped at the chance. People in Seagrove, they believed, truly understood the value of pottery. In other places, Hitomi says, “people love art, but they don’t think that pottery is the same thing as art. But here, people are so crazy about pottery. They love the tradition, they have so much appreciation . . . it’s part of the history of the state.”

The Pottery Ecosystem

Today, Starworks Ceramics is an integral part of the Seagrove pottery ecosystem, and it’s growing. “We went through a tough time during the pandemic,” Takuro says, “but now we have more people working, and it’s a great team. Our clay is getting more popular, and potters and artists support not only our clays, but the story of a clay factory.”

The process is laborious: Takuro takes raw clay dug from the earth and turns it into a viable material. The equipment he and his assistants use to refine it is massive and low-tech, the stuff of a fairy-tale giant’s bakery. Some of it is from the 1940s. There’s a shredder, a mixer, a separator and a vibrating screen; there are things called filter presses and pug mills.

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All of it fills a cavernous warehouse room. Massive buckets of what looks like sticky dirt go in one end; several days of man and machine power later, neat clay cubes come out the other. These cubes are sold in increasing numbers to potters in Seagrove and around the world.

“Using wild clays for pottery in the studio is a growing trend in American ceramic art education and in small pottery businesses,” Takuro says. “It’s good for people to think about sustainability and the environment. However, these methods have been used and improved for thousands of years all over the world. Nothing is new.”

He hopes his clay and the couple’s book inspires more potters around the country to learn about the clay histories in their own regions: “Our clay story is very personal, and our clay experience doesn’t cover all wild clays, but we heard from readers that many places in the world have interesting histories, communities and people who work in clay. We believe clay is universal.”

At the same time, Takuro knows that what makes and sells at Starworks can’t be found just anywhere. “North Carolina clay is special,” he says. “It’s high in silica, it can be fired at high temperatures and it is from this place.” PS

This is an excerpt from Art of the State: Celebrating the Art of North Carolina, published by UNC

Thibaut | Annie Selke | Bassett | International Shades

“The

stoRy A nd P hotogRAPh By tony CRoss

Unless you’ve frequented a golf course, you may never have heard of the Transfusion cocktail. Over the past decade, it’s become just as popular, if not more than, a John Daly. This three-ingredient cocktail of vodka, ginger ale and grape juice is a staple with some non-beerdrinking golfers. It’s refreshing to drink, and bartenders can make them with ease. The Transfusion has become such a hit, and my business got so many requests to make them on draught, that I finally caved and deliver them in kegs and growlers — easy access.

So, where did the Transfusion originate? Story has it that President Dwight D. Eisenhower asked a beverage attendant what was available, picked the three ingredients he liked, and sipped it from a tall glass with ice. Ever since, he enjoyed them after his round. Presidents can be very influential, I’m told, so I doubt he drank alone. One thing is for sure: Many will be concocted (and delivered) at this year’s U.S. Open.

Transfusion

SPECIFICATIONS

2 ounces vodka

4 ounces ginger ale

1 ounce Concord grape juice

Lime wedge for garnish

DIRECTIONS

Combine vodka, ginger ale (Reverie uses our homemade ginger beer) and grape juice over ice in a tall glass — or plastic if you’re in a golf cart. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge. PS

Tony Cross owns and operates Reverie Cocktails, a cocktail delivery service that delivers kegged cocktails for businesses to pour on tap — but once a bartender, always a bartender.

“Midsommar” in the Pines

Scandi-style potato salad for summertime festivities

stoRy A nd PhotogRAPh By Rose shewey

Midsummer, which marks the longest day and shortest night of the year, is quite possibly the least eventful, most anticlimactic holiday in our neck of the woods. With our proximity to the equator, we gain a modest three hours of daylight in the first part of the year until we hit the summer solstice, and an imperceptible reversal begins. On the bright side, quite literally, our winters are sufficiently sunlit to stave off any form of seasonal depression, so we have that going for ourselves.

Meanwhile, midsummer is nothing short of spectacular in other parts of the world — above the Arctic Circle and the northernmost parts of Scandinavia, Canada and Alaska never lose daylight during this time of the year. In my home pastures of Germany, the sun doesn’t set until almost 10 p.m. during the summer months.

Even though midsummer, or “midsommar,” as it is known

throughout northern Europe, has been celebrated in many cultures across the globe, Sweden, Norway and Denmark take the cake when it comes to honoring this day. City dwellers will migrate to the countryside. There will be picnics, bonfires and nights reveling under the open sky; girls will wear flower crowns and dance around the midsommar pole into the wee hours.

At the mention of Sweden, if anything in terms of food comes to mind, it’s usually “Köttbullar” — Swedish meatballs. In part, this is owed to the blue- and yellow-logoed furniture chain that popularized this dish throughout the world. Sweden has many other national delicacies on the menu, though. Especially popular during the summertime is potato salad seasoned with dill pesto. With an abundance of dill, which grows rampantly in northern Europe, and coastal areas supplying fresh fish, it’s a logical step to mince dill into pesto and get creative with it. Dill has a brilliantly fresh, citrusy aroma that pairs incredibly well with seafood — but also makes a stunningly flavorful potato salad.

So, whether you add smoked salmon to this dill pesto potato salad or serve it with boiled eggs as a light lunch or dinner, it has the potential of becoming your new summertime (or yearround) favorite.

Dill Pesto Potato Salad

(Serves 4, as a side dish)

Ingredients

18 ounces cooked new potatoes (skin on)

1 bunch fresh dill

2-3 cloves garlic, peeled

3/4 cup walnuts, almonds or pignolias, chopped

Dash of lemon juice

2 ounces Västerbotten cheese (or Parmesan), grated

80-120 milliliters extra-virgin olive oil

Remove tough stems from the dill, discard the stems and add dill to a food processor together with garlic, nuts and lemon juice. Chop roughly, then add cheese and a little bit of olive oil at a time and pulse until you have a thick paste. Add more olive oil for a smoother, sauce-like pesto. In a large bowl, combine potatoes and pesto. Mix until potatoes are well coated and serve right away. PS

German native Rose Shewey is a food stylist and food photographer. To see more of her work visit her website, suessholz.com.

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But Add A New ‘Link’

Dr. Joe, a skilled dentist with a great sense of humor, also happens to be a talented golfer. He enjoyed Pinehurst in 1982 while working as a golf professional, and chose to establish his dental practice here. Our talented, caring, and experienced dental hygienists are available for your cleanings and exams.

We look forward to meeting and taking excellent care of you!

By sCott sheFF ield

Links to the Past

A view from the back nine

As I eagerly anticipate the playing of the 124th U.S. Men’s Open Golf Championship, I find myself becoming somewhat nostalgic and maybe a little wistful. I have watched every U.S. Open since the late 1950s either on television or in person, and this year’s tournament marks the 60th anniversary of the first Open I watched from the grounds.

The ’64 U. S. Open was held at Congressional Country Club in Potomac, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. I was 17 years old and a junior member of Belle Haven Country Club in Alexandria, Virginia, also a suburb of D.C. That year the Open Organizing Committee decided to use junior golfers from the area as hole marshals. I was chosen to be one of them.

My uniform consisted of a solid dark blue, collarless shirt fashioned from some sort of thin mesh material; a solid red baseballstyle cap; and a round white metal badge. In a blue ring around the edge of the badge were the obligatory words stating which Open it was and where it was being played — but what was in the center of the badge is what impressed me. Superimposed over the logo of the club was the word COMMITTEE in bold red letters. I was a member of the Committee! Or at least I thought so then, and never to this day have I tried to discredit that assumption. (The only reason I can state with authority what the badge looked like is because I still have it.)

My assignment was the green on the 15th hole, a par-5. It was situated at the back of the property abutting a fenced personal residence. Some large trees near the fence offered shade, which, as the week progressed, became a welcome and much needed haven from the unusually intense heat and humidity. That area was a refuge for marshals and spectators alike, especially when the kids that lived beyond the fence started selling lemonade at prices that undercut the on-course concession stands — 50 cents for a large, 20-ounce cup and a quarter for 8 ounces, if memory serves. I must have downed 20 large cups or more that week.

I’m convinced volunteers at the championship have it much easier today than in ’64. Our assignments were for the whole day,

every day (including practice days), not just a few four-hour shifts. It’s true, volunteers now have to purchase their uniforms, but at least they are well made and can still be worn later. After the tournament in ’64, one of the hottest on record, there was nothing usable left of my uniform. My cap was so sweat-stained I had to throw it away (I wish I hadn’t), and my flimsy shirt literally disintegrated, leaving the badge as my only souvenir.

I have attended six U. S. Open championships in person, three as a volunteer (1964 at Congressional, 2005 and 2014 at Pinehurst No. 2), and three times as a spectator (1973 and 2007 at Oakmont, and 1997 at Congressional). The memories stay with me to this day.

I’ll never forget what Ken Venturi looked like plodding down the last fairway on Saturday afternoon in ’64. Venturi, who under normal conditions appeared thin, looked gaunt and emaciated. As he made his way down the hill toward the green, his shoulders slumped, his gait almost a limp, his color nearly as white as his shirt. I feared he might pass out before he finished the hole. For a while, a golf cart followed the players, apparently in the event Venturi would require medical attention or have to be whisked off the course at a moment’s notice. Thankfully, none of that proved necessary. He parred the hole and won the tournament. We wouldn’t learn until later how serious his condition had been. In ’64, and in most of the years prior, the Open was played over three days — 18 holes on Thursday and Friday, and 36 on Saturday. After Venturi’s struggles, the championship would be contested over four days instead of three. The double round became a relic of the past.

Before I joined the gallery following Venturi, I asked the kids behind the fence how much money they had taken in. They said they were still counting, but the final amount was probably going to be around $3,000. Not a bad haul 60 years ago.

Even though I was only 17 and accustomed to playing 36 holes of golf a day, that week took it out of me. When the Open returned to Congressional in 1997, I went only on Sunday for the final round. At the ripe old age of 50, that was enough for me. I did visit the fence on the 15th that day. Sadly, there was no one there to sell me cut-rate lemonade. PS

Scott Sheffield is a contributing writer for PineStraw and The Pilot . He may be reached at ssheff@nc.rr.com.

By deBoRA h sA lomon

Napoleon

Generation Gaps

You are who they say you are

Bonaparte is credited, perhaps apocryphally, with calling England “a nation of shopkeepers.” One thing is certain: Whoever said it first did not intend it as a compliment. The USA might answer to a nation of classifiers: We lump entire populations/decades under letters of the alphabet (Gen Z) or cryptic headings like “The Lost Generation,” then memorialize them in novels like The Sun Also Rises or The Great Gatsby.

Some categories lump generations together. Does the women’s liberation movement mean suffragettes marching down Main Street or female corporate vice presidents banging their heads on the glass ceiling?

Why do we need these groupings, anyway? The Roaring Twenties and Fabulous Fifties sound good enough. For answers I trolled, what else, the internet.

Ernest Hemingway attributed the term “Lost Generation” to Gertrude Stein in an epigraph to his novel The Sun Also Rises. Tom Brokaw lauded “The Greatest Generation” in his 1998 classic book.

Generational groupings are listed by the Pew Research Center, a non-partisan, self-described “fact” tank that informs the public about “trends shaping the world.”

Golly. Quite the responsibility. They publish a list which places me, by birth, in the Silent

Generation, 1928-1945, then integrates me with the baby boomers, whom I babysat through high school. The boomers, of course, acquired their title after GIs returning from WWII caused the birthrate to explode. Boys will be boys.

Reading on, I learned that Gen X was the first to grow up with widespread cable TV which, I gather, made a difference in their consumption of news, entertainment and prescription drugs.

According to Pew, Gen Z, immersed in social media since toddlerhood, seems nervous when forced to spend time away from their electronic devices. What is lost? Conversation. Books with pages that turn. Department stores. Daydreaming. Doodling. Moving around. Helping out. Folding a map. Playing a board game . . . on a board.

True, we borderline Silent Generationists are known for glorifying the recent past while bellyaching about electronics. We love residential AC and microwave ovens but won’t buy the idea that just because you can do something, you should. That applies to omnipresent, omnipotent cellphones. Which means I’m wary of hand-held electrocardiogram widgets and self-propelling vehicles. I think all drivers should master a stick shift, just in case. Vinyl records are back, so you never know.

And what is air-fried chicken besides an oxymoron?

Too bad advances in AI aren’t enough for Gen Now astrophysicists who float the idea that readying another planet for colonization makes more sense than fixing what’s happening to this one.

There. This Borderline Boomer has had her say. Beam me up, Scotty. PS

Deborah Salomon is a contributing writer for PineStraw and The Pilot . She can be reached at debsalomon@nc.rr.com.

The Sandhills Photography Club meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the theater of the Hannah Marie Bradshaw Activities Center of The O'Neal School at 330 Airport Road in Pinehurst. Visit www.sandhillsphotoclub.org.

Tier 1, 1st Place: Taking the Call By Steve Long

Tier 1, 2nd Place: Warblers Wonʼt Wait By Patti Cefelli

Tier 1, 3rd Place: Red Eyed Costa Rica Frog By Michael Sassano

Tier 1, Honorable Mention: Self-Inflicted By Eugene Cottrell

Tier 2, 3rd Place: Hotel Bellagio By Marti Derleth

Tier 2, 1st Place: Leap of Faith By Darryl Benecke

Tier 2, Honorable Mention: Kgalagadi Jakalberry By Darryll Benecke

Tier 2, 2nd Place: Entering the Danger Zone By Tom Batts

Charles Y.

A

Tier 3, 1st Place: Flyover By Neva Scheve

Tier 3, 1st Honorable Mention:

Moose Moment By Diane McCall

Tier 3, 2nd Place: Reflective Stroll By Shari Dutton

Tier 3, 2nd Honorable Mention: Rock Fishing By Jim Davis

Tier 3, 3rd Place: Table in the Sunlight By Dave Powers

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By susA n CA mPBell

Easy Listening

But the whip-poor-will is harder to spot

If you live adjacent to wet woods well away from the city, I am betting that you have been treated to a loud, repetitive call at dusk — probably for some weeks now. The raucous, distinct vocalizations most likely originate from a medium-sized, extremely well camouflaged bird. Not surprisingly, the endless three-syllable chants of “whip poor will” are made by the Eastern whippoor-will. But make no mistake: This bird is as hard to find as it is easy to hear. Its mottled gray, brown and white plumage makes it virtually invisible either perched on a low branch or, as it does more often, sitting on the forest floor.

Should you scare up one of these birds or catch a glimpse at dawn or dusk, you will see that little about their plumage really stands out. Whip-poor-wills have a distinct white throat patch as well as pale coloring on the corners of the tail but otherwise are quite dull. The outer tail patches on males are white but buffcolored on the females — otherwise they are identical. One other important difference is that only the males do the calling.

In early spring, whip-poor-wills make their way north from winter locations ranging from Central America to perhaps as far north as the Gulf Coast. Their overland route, which they cover at night, brings them up through the Southeastern states quite

early in the season but, by the time they arrive, larger insects have already taken flight. This is critical given the fact that they dine solely on bugs. Their huge mouths scoop up a variety of invertebrates, including moths, beetles, grasshoppers, fireflies, and even wasps and bees. They are known to feed all night long if there is a full moon. Whip-poorwills are versatile hunters, searching for prey items in leaf litter or, at times, rotting wood.

Because they spend most of their time flying in the forest, whip-poor-wills require open terrain like the open pine woodlands of the Sandhills region. Nests are simple scrapes on the ground made by females who typically lay two marbled eggs that are amazingly camouflaged in the leaf littler. Although it is the female who incubates, the male may perform a convincing distraction display at the nest site to lure would-be predators away. It is curious to note that nesting may be delayed so that hatching coincides with the full moon when the parents can spend more of the night hunting insects for their growing family. Young whip-poor-wills will move from the nest after hatching, perhaps to avoid predation.

Unfortunately in the East, many whip-poor-will populations have been in decline due to habitat loss. Woodlands continue to be replaced by both agriculture and, even more so, housing developments. Human activity has significantly reduced potential territories here in central North Carolina. But where they hang on, their summertime chorus rings loud and clear. PS

Susan Campbell would love to hear from you. Feel free to send questions or wildlife observations to susan@ncaves.com.

The Kingsnake and My Old Man

Learning to appreciate the unappreciated

stoRy A nd P hotogRAPhs By todd P usseR

For years, my father lived by the creed “The only good snake is a dead snake.” Any snake encountered, no matter the species, was dispatched as quickly as possible, usually with a deft stroke of a shovel to the back of the head. Dad’s fear of snakes was taught to him by his dad, who learned it from his dad, who learned it from his dad.

Ophidiophobia is a common affliction. Chances are, most readers of this magazine suffer from some form of it. Ever since the serpent tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden,

snakes have received a bad rap. Like taxes and politicians, most people despise them.

However, there are exceptions to every rule. For Dad, that exception was the eastern kingsnake. If the boldly patterned black and white snake was encountered in the yard, Dad let it slide. No shovels to the back of the head for this serpent. Eastern kingsnakes are powerful constrictors that readily eat other snakes, including venomous ones — a fact that had not escaped my dad, despite his serpentine prejudices.

When I came along, I broke the family mold. As a kid, I never feared any snake. Instead, I found the cold-blooded serpents immensely fascinating. If I encountered one in the woods, I did not rush to grab a stick to bash it to pieces.

Instead, I marveled at the way it slithered across the ground, admiring how it navigated the landscape without the benefit of legs.

I devoured every snake book I could find in the library at West End Elementary School. I soon learned that North Carolina was blessed (or cursed, depending on your point of view) with 39 different species of snakes, only six of which are venomous.

Each year, when the “Snake Man,” a touring natural history educator, came around to our school, I was the first to volunteer to help hold Penelope, his pet 16-foot Burmese python. I still recall with vivid clarity how it took over a dozen students to lift the immense snake out of her wooden holding box.

Then there was the time my sixth-grade science teacher, Larry Dull, captured a hognose snake on the school’s playground out by the monkey bars. Frequently called “spreading adders” by locals, for their habit of flattening their heads “cobra style” when threatened, hognose snakes are often believed, incorrectly, to be venomous — a myth that Mr. Dull dispelled by holding the wild snake with his bare hands in front of our class. The hognose remained absolutely still, occasionally flicking its tongue in and out of its mouth, making no attempt to bite. While Mr. Dull addressed our class, I hung on his every word and laughed out loud when the snake suddenly pooped on his shirt.

As my knowledge and love for North Carolina snakes grew, the eastern kingsnake quickly became a favorite. What’s not to like? The handsome black serpent has a bold pattern of white, chainlike markings

that encircle its body at wide intervals from head to tail. Capable of reaching lengths of over 6 feet of pure muscle, the eastern kingsnake is North Carolina’s strongest native snake. It’s a constrictor that suffocates its prey with powerful coils from its body.

Not only are kingsnakes big and strong, they possess the superhero-like trait of being immune to snake venom. For copperheads and rattlesnakes, an eastern kingsnake is the ultimate danger noodle.

The reason Dad refuses to kill kingsnakes stems from an incident that happened during his childhood. While fishing for bluegills in an Eagle Springs farm pond, he stumbled upon a kingsnake constricting a cottonmouth along the shoreline. Despite having the cottonmouth’s fangs embedded deep in its back, the kingsnake slowly squeezed the life out of the venomous serpent, then proceeded to swallow it whole, right in front of my wide-eyed father. It left an impression.

Despite witnessing this rare behavior, Dad still grew up fearing snakes. It was not until my college days that his fear began to wane. At that time, I had a pet snake named Herman. Herman was an eastern kingsnake that traveled with me from Chapel Hill back home over the holidays. One memorable Christmas, I pulled Herman out of his aquarium in the living room, but Dad steadfastly refused to hold him, despite the snake’s obvious calm demeanor. Mom chose to

June 8

Pridefest 12 - 5pm

The second annual Pridefest celebrating LGBTQ+ individuals and allies sponsored by Sandhills Pride. Featuring an assortment of entertainment, pop-up-shops, artists, and food trucks. Improve your mental and physical health and wellness with information and testing. Activities throughout the day.

Tickets: $10

June 28

Vintage Game Night 5:30-7:30

Take a step back in time and roll the dice on a fun new event at the historic Boyd House and Gardens. Grab a prohibition-era cocktail before you try your hand at vintage games like croquet and cards! Each ticket includes one complimentary drink ticket. Additional tickets available for purchase. Outdoor seating and games are available, weather permitting. 1920s attire is always welcome!

Tickets start at $15

June 18

James Boyd Book Club 2pm

The James Boyd Book Club reads and discusses the work of North Carolina authors - past and present. A professional assassin and a librarian unravel a literary mystery in this Month’s Selection, The Enigma Affair by Charlie Lovett

Free Admission

Registration suggested

Register Now For Camp!

Explorer of the World Camps. August 5-9 and 12-16. Based on the best selling books by Keri Smith, the campers will receive a copy of the workbook entitled “HOW TO BE AN EXPLORER OF THE WORLD”. The program activities will explore how the outdoor world around us can influence the creation of Art, Music, and Writing. Two one-week summer camp opportunities are offered MondayFriday, 9 am - 12pm and 12pm - 3pm. For rising 4th - 8th grader.

remain in another room for my impromptu Crocodile Hunter performance.

After graduation, when work took me away for months at a time, Dad reluctantly agreed to snake sit for me. Fortunately, Herman was a low-maintenance pet. Dad simply had to clean his aquarium once a week and feed him the occasional frozen mouse. Still, Dad never once picked up Herman. Old habits die hard.

It was not until years later, when I took Dad on a wildlife viewing adventure through the Albemarle Peninsula, that he actually picked up a snake with his bare hands for the first time. On a humid day early in the trip, we encountered a large kingsnake crawling across a wide dirt road bordered by forest and cornfields. I hopped out of the car and immediately picked up the shiny black serpent. True to form, the snake made no effort to bite. Instead, it wrapped its elongated body around my wrist. Its iridescent scales shimmered in the late afternoon light. Imagine my surprise when I asked Dad if he would like to hold it and he said, “Yes.” Not wanting the moment to pass, I quickly handed the snake over to him. Despite being obviously nervous — beads of sweat were forming on his forehead — both Dad and the snake remained calm. Slowly touching its scales, Dad’s expression changed from trepidation to joy. In that moment, he lost his fear of snakes.

It’s been many years since I have seen a kingsnake around Eagle Springs. Of the few snakes that still occasionally turn up in the yard, I am happy to report that Dad no longer kills them. He simply leaves them alone.

Mom recently texted me a photo of Dad helping out a family friend by capturing a large rat snake in their front yard and releasing it unharmed into a nearby patch of woods.

Looking at that picture, I can’t help but smile. PS

Catch up on all of our Summer events:

555 E. Connecticut Ave. Southern Pines • www.weymouthcenter.org

Naturalist and photographer Todd Pusser grew up in Eagle Springs. He works to document the extraordinary diversity of life both near and far. His images can be found at www.ToddPusser.com.

Together Again

Another chapter in a long association

By tony Rothwell

When the USGA brings the U.S. Open Championship to Pinehurst to play the iconic No. 2 course, a long-established Pinehurst-based golf society, the Tin Whistles, will play its part.

There will be seven Tin Whistle members in senior championship leadership positions, including Larry McWane, the volunteer chairman. Sixty-eight more will be in various volunteer positions, and the par-3 17th hole will be marshalled by a combination of Tin Whistles and Silver Foils, Pinehurst’s equivalent ladies’ golf society.

“Being the chairman sounds impressive and an honor, and it certainly is, but it requires patience and planning which sometimes seem overwhelming,” says McWane. “Somehow it all gets done, thanks to the dedication of the many who volunteer, and the clubs and organizations that support the game.”

This level of involvement is not surprising. The Tin Whistles’ ties to the USGA are extraordinary in number, both playing in USGA tournaments and in USGA management. According to Jan Ludwig, Tin Whistle historian, just some of those connections include:

• Three Tin Whistles have been winners of the USGA

Amateur Championship: William C. Fownes Jr., 1910; George T. Dunlap Jr., 1933; and Richard D. Chapman, 1940.

• Tin Whistle members played in 27 of 32 Walker Cup matches from 1922 to 1989.

• Five Tin Whistle members have been USGA presidents: William C. Fownes Jr., 1926-27; George W. Blossom Jr., 1942-43; Richard S. Tufts, 1956-57; William C. Campbell, 1982-83; and James B. Hyler, 2010-11.

• Richard Tufts was a key figure in the negotiations between the USGA and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, to bring the rules of golf in line on both sides of the Atlantic.

• Tin Whistle member P.J. Boatwright Jr. was USGA executive director from 1969-80 and executive director of Rules and Competitions from 1980-91.

In addition to regular members, the Tin Whistles are proud of their honorary members, which include Jack Nicklaus, Jay Siegel, Gary Schaal, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Donald Padgett II, Rees Jones, Dan Maples, Robert Dedman, Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw, Bob Burwell, Curtis Strange and Davis Love III.

If you added up all the victories and accomplishments of this group, there wouldn’t be room on the page. Of the U.S. Opens held since 1901, Tin Whistles have played in 77 of them.

The Tin Whistles society was established in 1904 when a

Tin Whistles 2024

small, like-minded group of regular golfing visitors to Pinehurst decided to hold competitions and formed the society. Donald Ross, the designer of Pinehurst No. 2, was one of them.

The society has grown into a 225-member organization that has become involved in many areas of community service, including, most notably, awarding four-year college scholarships and nursing scholarships to students from local high schools — 165 awards to date. A 1983 scholar, and a Tin Whistle member, Chris Eldridge, has come from California to be the hole captain on the second hole during the Open.

And when you’re watching the Open broadcast, look out for the marshals on the 17th. Chances are you’ll recognize some of them. PS

Tony Rothwell moved to Pinehurst in 2017, exchanging the mind-numbing traffic of Washington, D.C., for better weather and the vagaries of golf. He spent 50 years in the hotel business but in retirement writes short stories and sings in the Moore County Choral Society. He can be reached at ajrothwell@gmail.com.

Tin Whistles 1915. Donald J. Ross, second row fourth from the left.

PHOTOGRAPH

BY JOHN PATOTA

PHOTOGRAPH FROM THE TIN WHISTLES ARCHIVES

Rainy Day Wisdom

The golfing legacy of Uncle Bill

By RoBeRt KowA lsK i

The coffee can full of golf tees was my Uncle Bill’s. He’s gone almost 20 years now, but I found it where he had left it, way in the back of the garage, stuffed behind a half-used can of WD-40.

Uncle Bill had no vices. He didn’t drink, gamble or swear. He delivered the mail for a living. His stride was quick, his hands weather-beaten. A member of the Greatest Generation, he knew who he was and who he wasn’t.

Uncle Bill was a public links player. He never got invited to corporate outings, never played at a country club or took a lesson. Breaking 90 was rare. He didn’t keep a handicap. Didn’t wear a glove when he played. No shorts. No logos. He played in the age of blades, balata balls and spike marks.

His power wasn’t in the rhythm of his swing but in the way he played golf: with precision and economy and joy. Uncle Bill’s advice was timeless and simple: “Keep your head down and don’t swing too hard. Don’t try to kill it!” When my drive ended up in the pond, he put his hand on my shoulder. “Golf is like life. It’s all about avoiding waste.”

Uncle Bill grew up poor during the Depression. He lost friends in Europe during World War II. He became a widower at 40 when a drunk driver took the life of a young man’s wife. He would never remarry.

Every part of his life found its place in his golf. The jalopy he drove mirrored the rickety old pullcart he used. The maintenance he put off on his house reflected the sad state of his golf shoes. The sacrifices he made as a single parent echoed his resistance to buying a new set of golf clubs, clubs that were only marginally better than the ones he gave me. Once, when I noticed his grips were worn down to the steel shafts, I suggested a new set might make a nice birthday gift. He shook his head and said, “Don’t waste your money. I know exactly where to put my hands now.”

Uncle Bill said his most cherished club was his ball retriever. He protected his better balls — the ones he called gems — by employing his rock strategy. Rocks were the scuffed, cut and beaten balls he kept in a separate pocket to use on holes where danger lurked. His gems were too precious to risk if there was a water hazard in play. “Funny,” Uncle Bill would say, after hitting a good shot with a rock, “somehow not caring whether you lose the ball always leads to a better swing.”

In the parking lot after a round Uncle Bill took the golf balls he found that day out of his bag. A good round was finishing with more than when you started. Then, he’d empty his pants pockets, filled with the tees he’d collected. Looking at those balls and tees lying in the trunk, he’d smile with great satisfaction and say, “Not a bad haul today.”

Only after a full accounting did the scorecard come out of his back pocket. He’d tally up the strokes he wasted before he totaled the score. The 3-putt on the 5th annoyed him. The time he failed to get up and down from the fringe on the 9th was tough to take. The face he made when he thought about leaving it in the greenside bunker on No. 12 said it all. The cruelest cut was the lost gem he hit out of bounds on 16 and never found. But even after all his agonizing over wasted shots, Uncle Bill found balance on his card — for every hole that should have been better, he found one that could have been worse.

I asked him once why he kept collecting tees in coffee cans when he already had so many. “For a rainy day, my boy. For a rainy day.” What Uncle Bill left behind was far more than 1,000 wooden tees. PS

Robert Kowalski is a transplanted Midwesterner who is glad to be living in the Sandhills of North Carolina.

Jump in a Lake

The rebirth of a great design

By lee PACe

Cara Spencer remembers the 1990s when her parents and sisters spent most every weekend during the summer at their house at Woodlake Country Club in Vass. They swam. They learned to fish and water ski. They rode inner tubes and drove their boat around the 1,200acre Lake Surf. They played golf and sipped strawberry daiquiris by the pool.

“Those were the glory days. Woodlake was the place to be,” Spencer remembers. “Our family has a strong sentimental connection to Woodlake.”

Woodlake certainly distinguished itself from its Sandhills competitors with a lake with 13 miles of shoreline; 36 holes of golf designed by Ellis Maples and Arnold Palmer; recreational amenities from swimming to golf, fishing to Jet Skis. One Fourth of July, The Embers blared out “I Love Beach Music” and other summertime shagging favorites.

“It’s laid back. We’ll have more fun in two weeks than some places have in two years,” longtime club professional and Woodlake resident Stuart Taylor liked to say.

That idyllic life at Woodlake for some 2,000 residents was rocked beginning in 2016 when torrential rainfall from Hurricane Matthew set in motion a domino effect that included a breach of the dam, the lake being drained by the State of North

Carolina for flood control purposes, the golf courses closing, and the German ownership group losing the facility to bankruptcy.

Five years later, the community and club got a new lease on life when Atlantic National Capital bought Woodlake at auction for $3.5 million, and began negotiations with the county and state lawmakers to repair the dam. The new owners are headed by Fayetteville businessman Keith Allison and his three daughters, Cara Spencer being one of them. As Allison was growing his Systel Business Equipment company into a significant independent dealer of official equipment in the Southeast in the 1980s and ’90s, the family enjoyed their weekend retreat at their home in Woodlake.

“My daughters learned to ski at Woodlake,” Allison says. “My family and I have a longstanding association and sentimental attachment to Woodlake.”

The first move in the fall of 2021 was to hire golf architect Kris Spence to take a look at the overgrown Maples golf course that opened in 1971 and provide a resurrection plan (the 1996 Palmer course will remain closed). Spence remembers Spencer giving him a tour of the overgrown fairways.

“Nature had totally reclaimed it except for a few areas where it looked like homeowners had been cutting some grass,” Spence says. “Cara asked what I thought it would take to get it back open. Hell, I couldn’t even see it. The fairways were 6 feet tall, and there were trees in the bunkers.”

Spence knew from the outset that if the course was designed by Ellis Maples, there were likely some good bones underneath the

Mike Gentry

GOLFTOWN JOURNAL

jungle. Maples grew up in golf design and maintenance, his father Frank serving as the longtime Pinehurst superintendent under Donald Ross, and Ellis started working in golf construction and maintenance at the age of 14. In 1948, he supervised the construction of Ross’ final design project, Raleigh Country Club, and worked for five years as the course superintendent. Maples then went into private practice in 1953 as a golf course architect.

His most notable works include the Dogwood Course with Willard Byrd at the Country Club of North Carolina (1963); and Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville (1968). Spence was intimately familiar with the Dogwood Course, having handled a renovation of that course in 2015-16.

Spence hired subcontractors in the fall of 2021 to start clearing the Woodlake corridors and spent considerable time himself on a bushhog machine around the green complexes.

“The more I looked at the golf course, the more I realized this was some really good work by Ellis Maples,” Spence says. “We got the greens cleaned up, and I started to study them. I got excited. After a month, I went back to Cara and said, ‘I don’t think you know what you have here. You have one of the best golf courses in North Carolina.’ That’s saying a lot, especially for this region.”

The first four holes wrap around the lake and then venture into typical Sandhills ground with sandy soil and gently undulating slopes, and the course does not return to the clubhouse after nine, always a good sign that the architect was allowed to find the best 18 holes without the restraint of bringing the ninth hole back to the start.

Spence built a few new tees to add some length and adjusted some fairway bunker placements to catch the longer drives of today, versus the 1971 club and ball standards. Many of the bunker complexes are dotted with the wiregrass so indigenous to the Sandhills, along with acres of hardpan sand. The greens were sprigged with Tif-Eagle Bermuda.

The course reopened in September

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2023, and will mark a complete renaissance when the dam and lake work are completed in early 2025 and the lake is restored. The golf shop has been renovated, a new restaurant has opened, and the course is open to outside play.

“Hole after hole you could pick as a signature hole,” says Woodlake General Manager Jeff Crabbe, a veteran of the area golf community and former staff professional at Pinehurst Resort. “There’s not a bad hole on the golf course. Once the lake comes back, it’s going to be pretty special. The vision of the ownership is to make this one of the most sought-after communities in the area and the state. We started from zero in a new membership program and are at 115. We’re proud of that growth.”

Spence compares the view across the lake to something you might see in the South Carolina low country and has been heartened with the opinions from a handful of visitors with high golf I.Q.s who have toured the course since it reopened.

“It’s been fun to watch people’s reaction to it,” he says. “They are like, ‘Wow, I hadn’t expected that.’ This is one terrific golf course. I don’t fall in love with golf courses per se, but I really admire this and appreciate what Ellis did 50 years ago. It is amazing that a golf course of this quality had escaped attention and recognition for so long. It was very satisfying to play a role, to put it back in its rightful place.”

Cara and husband Tommy Spencer live in Fayetteville and keep the family Woodlake tradition alive with a home of their own. One Friday evening in March, they jumped into a golf cart with their three children for the short drive to the Woodlake clubhouse and the first members dinner of the season.

“It was a nostalgic moment for me, thinking back to being a kid and my experiences here, and now having that for my own kids,” she says. “That’s why preserving Woodlake is so important to us.”

Lee Pace has written four books about the evolution of Pinehurst, its golf courses and village. His most recent is The Golden Age of Pinehurst. Write him at leepace7@gmail.com and follow him @LeePaceTweet.

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To Donald Ross

(On receiving a picture of this famous golf architect studying a 6-foot putt)

Brave Donald, in your suit of brown, I see you studying your putt, And well I know you’ll run it down; It is a splendid picture, but For all the woes you’ve worked for me, Deep in a bunker you should be.

I smile to see your kindly eye; ’Tis good to see your figure fair; Six feet away, I’ll say you lie, And know your second put your there; They took your picture on the green — A pit had made a merrier scene.

I should have laughed to see you caught, Your niblick tightly clutched in hand, Standing where I so oft have fought To battle with the stubborn sand; It would have pleased me more to see Your ball where mine so oft must be.

Yet, Donald, if perchance the day Shall come to me when I can brag

That I, like you, have learned to play

My second shots up to the flag, If I reach any green in two I’ll have my picture made for you.

— Edgar A. Guest

(Edgar A. Guest, 1881-1959, was known as the People’s Poet. He wrote this poem for the testimonial dinner honoring Donald Ross at the Pinehurst County Club on March 20, 1930.)

June ����

COURTESY

The U.S. Open Issue

It’s golf’s most demanding test; it’s most exhausting week.

A U.S. Open examines every aspect of a player’s game and seeks to reveal every attribute a golfer can possess — awesome power, an angelic touch, a gladiator’s heart. Our tribute to this year’s National Open begins with a nod to history, portrayed by some of Pinehurst Resort’s own professionals assuming the poses of champions past. Tom Stewart, owner of Old Sport & Gallery provided the vintage clubs with costuming help from Showboat Costumes. Of course, it’s been 25 years since the late Payne Stewart made his stunning par on the 72nd hole to finish off one of the most exciting U.S. Opens ever played. In honor of Stewart, we’re running an excerpt about him, “A Country Boy from Springfield,” from the 2016 book Playing Through. Sandhills native Bill Fields is a researcher on NBC’s golf telecasts and he invites us inside the compound for a behind the scenes look at what it takes to broadcast the U.S. Open across the globe. Lee Pace, whose golf knowledge of Pinehurst is unparalleled, tells us all about the USGA’s new Golf House Pinehurst and the return of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Jim Dodson plays a round of golf with Bob Dedman Jr., the most laid-back, down-to- earth guy who ever owned his own U.S. Open venue. Last, but far from least, Charlotte native Ron Green Jr. — for our money the best golf writer in America — answers the question “Where have all our champions gone?” And, just think, we get to do this all over again in five short years.

Blast Past from the

P hotogra Phs by tim sayer

The great Harry Vardon won the sixth U.S. Open ever played in 1900 at the Chicago Golf Club. Max

Busser, the lead assistant professional at Pinehurst No. 8, strikes the pose.

Francis Ouimet stunned the world when he defeated Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in the 1913 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Boston. Cole Stiles, the head professional at Pinehurst No. 7 and No. 9, stands in for Ouimet while his son, Parker, assumes the role of Ouimet’s faithful caddie, Eddie Lowrey.

The immortal Bobby Jones won the U.S. Open four times between 1923 and 1930 in addition to his three Open Championship titles, his five U.S. Amateur championships and a single victory in the British Amateur. Matt Barksdale, Pinehurst Resort’s director of golf, plays the part.

Gene Sarazen, the inventor of the modern sand wedge, won the U.S. Open in 1922 and 1932. He’s appropriately portrayed by Rob Lane, the lead assistant at Pinehurst’s newest course, No. 10, the Sandmines.

The Hawk, Ben Hogan, won the U.S. Open four times between 1948 and 1953 in addition to his five victories in golf’s other three major championships. Andrew Swindon, the assistant professional at Pinehurst’s No. 7 and No. 9, steps into his shoes.

Arnold Palmer, the King, charged from behind at Cherry Hills Country Club to add his lone U.S. Open crown to his four Masters titles and two Open Championship victories. Matt Nunez, the head professional at Pinehurst Country Club, holes the putt.

Jack Nicklaus, whose 18 major championships place him alone at the pinnacle of the sport, captured four U.S. Open titles, the first in 1962 and the last in 1980. Tyler Yancey, the head professional at Pinehurst Sandmines, the new No. 10, plays the Golden Bear.

Lee Trevino, the Merry Mex, won the U.S. Open in 1968 and 1971, outdueling Jack Nicklaus in each. The toss of the cap is by Carlos Rodriguez, Pinehurst’s assistant pro at the No. 7 and No. 9 courses.

Johnny Miller’s final round of 63 on his way to winning the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club was one of the greatest rounds in Open history.

Evin Wheaton, the assistant golf professional at the Padgett Learning Center, lines up the putt.

Pinehurst’s first U.S. Open in 1999 provided one of the most exciting finishes the championship has ever seen.

The statue of Payne Stewart, relocated temporarily for the 2024 U.S. Open, occupies a place of honor behind the 18th green to prove it. Ryan Shpak, the manager of the Padgett Learning Center and a Pinehurst Golf Academy instructor, kicks up his heels.

A Country Boy from Springfield

By Jim moriarty

Springfield is a small town on the Ozark Plateau in a state that was red before anyone thought about color-coding them. It’s the third-biggest city in Missouri, but if it was in California, it would barely crack the top 30. The Trail of Tears passed through Springfield on what was once called the Military Road. The North and the South fought over it, and in 1865, three months after Lee surrendered to Grant, “Wild Bill” Hickok shot a man dead on its streets over a pocket watch.

In the post-World War II craze over a new medium, television, Springfield took country music nationwide with The Ozark Jubilee. A year later Chris Schenkel and Bud Palmer debuted on CBS at the Masters. Three men born in Springfield have won major golf championships, and two of them are in the World Golf Hall of Fame. St. Andrews might be the only small city east of Fort Worth to equal its output.

If Payne Stewart wasn’t in uniform, knickers custom made from bolts of Italian cloth, silk stockings, gold- or silver-tipped spiked shoes and an ivy cap in the Ben Hogan style, he was as unrecognizable in public as if a Maserati had been stripped down to a Dodge Dart. “He comes off as this real urbane, Great Gatsby type of guy,” said his longtime swing coach, Chuck Cook, “but, really, he was a Missouri mule. Just a country boy from Springfield.”

Payne Stewart during the fourth round of the 1999 U.S. Open Championship held at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club No. 2 Course in Pinehurst, N.C., Sunday, June 20, 1999. (USGA/John Mummert)

Back in the heyday of newspapers, when a sports star needed a nickname the way a clipper ship needs wind, Stewart was preceded as a major champion by Horton Smith, the Missouri Rover, and Herman Keiser, the Missouri Mortician, who won three Masters between them. While Smith was eventually associated more closely with the Detroit Golf Club and Keiser with Firestone Country Club in Akron, for a time they were both at Hickory Hills Country Club in Springfield, where Keiser worked as Smith’s shop assistant.

Hickory Hills is where Stewart learned to play, as aware of the champions who came before him as he was of characters like Ky Laffoon, who favored sky blue sweaters and socks as yellow as two daffodils, and once hustled the young Stewart on its chipping green. While Springfield’s other major champions both made their reputations in the Masters, Augusta was the big moment Stewart enjoyed least. Deeply patriotic, the National Open was above all others to him. At his father, Bill’s, insistence, he always signed his U.S. Open entry with his full name, William Payne Stewart. He didn’t like the Masters because he thought the little people were treated shabbily there, particularly the caddies.

“He really felt uncomfortable,” said Cook. “When we would go to Augusta, we’d always eat in the employee dining room instead of out front with everybody else.” Before ugly false teeth became a Halloween cliché available at every party store in America, Stewart had a set custom made by a Springfield dentist, Dr. Kurt H’Doubler. He stuck them in his mouth frequently for effect, but took particular pleasure in wearing them in the par-3 contest at the Masters.

Even if he’d lived in the age of nicknames, Stewart was too complicated for that kind of lazy gimmick. He could be arrogant and thoughtless or generous and compassionate, sometimes in the same sentence. He was a devoted practitioner of the sporting jibe, what’s mostly described now as trash talking, though it didn’t always come in the form of talk. “He was an awful fan,” said John Cook, a former U.S. Amateur champion who, like Stewart, lived in Orlando, Florida. “Just awful. I’d pick him up and we’d go to the Magic games. He’d be yelling at somebody the minute he got in the arena.”

Stewart’s seats for the NBA games were four rows behind the Magic bench, and he took great delight in ceaselessly taunting the head coach at the time, Matt Goukas. “Poor old Matty,” said Dr. Dick Coop, Stewart’s sports psychologist. “Payne just lit him up every night.” After only one season Stewart’s seats were moved, not just from behind the bench, but to the other side of the arena.

The canvas for Stewart’s needlework included golf, and he didn’t care whom he skewered. “Jack Nicklaus. Arnold Palmer. It did not matter,” said his longtime caddie, Mike Hicks. “And you know what? A lot of guys didn’t like it. Some guys didn’t mind, and if they didn’t mind, they liked Payne. But if they minded it, they didn’t like him. If they all say they liked him, they’re lying because he was tough, man. He would needle you, and he would go overboard with it. He could take it, too. But he’d get under your skin if you let him.”

Once, when Stewart was visiting Jim Morris, an old family friend in LaQuinta, California, they arranged a money game with

Donald Trump. The wealthy developer was five minutes late to the first tee, but Morris and Stewart didn’t wait for him. By the time Trump pulled up in his golf cart, they were ahead on the first fairway. Stewart yelled back at him, “Trump, this ain’t one of them corporate meetings. It’s 1 o’clock and you’re either here or you ain’t here.”

Coop, at the time a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, began working with Stewart the same year Hicks became his caddie, 1988. “The first day he came to see me,” Coop said, “I told him what I’d heard about him very bluntly, very forthrightly. He calls Tracey (his wife) and she says, ‘What did he say?’ And Payne said, ‘Well, he told me I was arrogant, cocky, brash, insensitive, etc.’ She said, ‘What did you say?’ Payne said, ‘Well, I told him he was probably right.’ We started off that way.”

Stewart grew up in a one-story house on Link Street with three women and a traveling salesman, which could be a joke if it wasn’t true. His father, Bill, sold mattresses and box springs and was often on the road, leaving Payne with his sisters, Susan and Lora, and his mother, Bee, who was as rare a species in Springfield as a snow leopard: a staunch Democrat. In election season Bee filled the yard with political placards like dandelions.

“He had a lot of girl in him,” said Cook. “Ironed his own clothes. He loved to cook. He liked to dress up. Then, when he’d be with the boys, he’d be about as macho as anybody. He wasn’t afraid to try to outdrink you or outplay you or anything else.”

Stewart made French toast on a local Springfield cooking show when he was 3 and reveled in making a breakfast of waffles and pancakes for his own children, Aaron and Chelsea, whenever he wasn’t traveling to play golf.

In the late 1970s, if you didn’t make it through the PGA Tour’s soulless meat grinder that was its qualifying tournament, your playing options were few. One was to go to Florida and join a mini-tour, where the prize money was the aggregate of the entry fees, less what the tour organizer skimmed off the top for himself. If they were unscrupulous, that included the prize money too. You were essentially playing for your own cash, plus everyone else’s. It was a hard lesson for even the best young former college star, being picked clean by local legends with garage-band swings who knew every blemish and blade of grass on the undistinguished courses they played. The other most commonly chosen option was the Far East, and that was where Stewart found himself after graduating from Southern Methodist University and failing to get his tour card.

Two of his traveling buddies in Asia were the Anton twins, Terry and Tom, who had played at the University of Florida. Because of the springy way they stepped, with their heels off the ground, Stewart called them Tip Toe I and Tip Toe II. While Stewart’s confidence in his golf game crossed the border of cockiness without clearing customs, it was actually more a case of the sum being greater than its parts. He swept the club back with a lag reminiscent of Bobby Jones and the hickory-shaft era. His tempo looked as effortless as the human eye wandering through a Cézanne still life, but he was neither a great driver of the ball nor the best iron player nor the best putter. In his prime, though,

when it came to the short shots around the green, inside 75 yards or so, he had no peer. Some of that was learned from the hustlers in Springfield, but some of it was imported from Asia.

“We had a tremendous admiration for the Asian players’ short games. All of us learned,” said Tom Anton. “It was a great training ground. They showed us techniques around the greens, out of the bunkers, shots we’d never seen before. We’d bomb it by them but from 100 yards in, they were magicians.”

Besides a short game, the other significant acquisition Stewart made was in Kuala Lumpur when he met a 20-year-old Australian woman named Tracey Ferguson, who was at one time a draftsperson employed by Greg Norman’s father at Mount Isa Mines. He fell in love with her the moment he saw her in a string bikini. Stewart succeeded in making it through the PGA Tour’s spring qualifying school in June ’81, the same month David Graham played a near-flawless final round at Merion Golf Club to become the first Australian to win the U.S. Open. He and Tracey were married that November.

While Stewart won twice in Asia and again at the ’82 Quad Cities Open, the only tour tournament his father saw him win, his early reputation was that of a player who could come close but not finish it off at the end. He lost playoffs in ’84, ’85, ’86 and ’88. He compiled so many seconds his nickname was Avis. When he finally won the ’87 Hertz Bay Hill Classic, he donated the winner’s check to charity in honor of his father, who had passed away two years before from cancer.

After finishing in a tie for 24th in the Masters in ’89, Stewart won the next week at the Harbour Town Golf Links, an event played on a classic South Carolina low country course designed by architect Pete Dye and known for the quality of its champions, a list that included Palmer and Nicklaus, Johnny Miller and Tom Watson. Stewart would become the first player to successfully defend that title. It was in August ’89 at a Chicago suburban course named for an insurance company, Kemper Lakes, where Stewart captured his first major championship in typically controversial style.

By that time, it felt like most of the big stuff had already been done. Nick Faldo won the first of his three Masters on the second hole of sudden death when Scott Hoch agonized over, and then missed, a 2-foot sidehill wobbler on Augusta National’s 10th. The big story of the year was Curtis Strange, who took advantage of Tom Kite’s final-round 78 to become the first player since Ben Hogan to win back-to-back National Opens. “Move over, Ben,” said Strange. In the wake of the Open Championship, all the conversation was about how star-crossed Greg Norman let yet another major championship elude him. Mark Calcavecchia won at Royal Troon, defeating Australians Wayne Grady and Norman, who couldn’t even post a score in the four-hole aggregate playoff.

Stewart had played progressively better in each of the 1989 majors, going into the final round at Royal Troon just two shots behind Grady, one better than Calcavecchia. After closing with a 74, however, he was nothing more than an afterthought going into the PGA at what would become storm-ravaged Kemper Lakes — especially since he’d shot 75-76 in Memphis the weekend before. It was Mike Reid, a product of Brigham Young University, slender

Payne Stewart during the third round at the 1999 U.S. Open Championship.

(USGA/J.D. Cuban)

as a cattail stalk whose reverse-C finish was so pronounced it made grown men wince, who took command almost from the outset. Reid, nicknamed “Radar” because his drives, though short, tracked the center of what seemed like every fairway, was tied for the lead after the first round and alone at the top after 36 and 54 holes. Stewart, dressed as he did every Sunday in the colors of the local National Football League team, this time the Bears, went into the final round a full six shots off the pace.

A five-birdie back nine of 31 pulled Stewart within two of Reid’s lead and gave him reason to stick around. In April Reid had led the Masters after 13 holes on Sunday and didn’t finish well, but that disappointment was nothing compared to what happened at Kemper Lakes. He bogeyed the 16th to lose half his lead, and then smothered a lob shot from just off the 17th green and double-bogeyed, shockingly dropping a shot behind. Stewart couldn’t be still in the scoring area, pacing back and forth, even mugging for the camera. Reid had a chance to birdie the 18th to tie him but missed a 7-footer.

Stewart’s glee was demonstrable. He emerged from the scoring tent slapping high fives with anyone he saw, and that, unfortunately, included Reid as he came off the course. Stewart’s pleasure seemed blissfully ignorant of Reid’s pain. “I’m 32. I hadn’t won a major, and everybody all over the world is always asking me why,” he said. “They did the same thing to Curtis and look what

Payne Stewart during the fourth round of the 1999 U.S. Open Championship held at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club No. 2 Course in Pinehurst, N.C., Sunday, June 20, 1999. (USGA/J.D. Cuban)

happened. He won back-to-back U.S. Opens.” The contrast of Stewart’s self-satisfaction and the unselfconscious tears of the mild-mannered Reid was so stark that what should have been the affirmation of the skill and ability Stewart always believed he possessed became, instead, the coast-to-coast confirmation of his most unpleasant character traits.

Very soon after Coop began working with Stewart, he suspected his new client had attention deficit disorder and sent him to a clinician for a proper diagnosis. “I’ve got to give him tremendous credit,” said Coop. “When he found out what he had, he talked to people about it. He didn’t hide it. God gave him tremendous rhythm and tempo and neuromuscular skills, but God didn’t give him concentration.”

The knowledge of the condition led Coop and Cook to devise practice sessions tailored for someone whose ability to concentrate was, at times, tenuous. It wasn’t always, though. “With the ADD, the U.S. Open was always set up so hard that he was able to focus during the tournament,” said Cook. “The rough was so tough and greens were so fast and hard, it created a lot of focus for him that he didn’t have in a run-of-the-mill tournament.”

In March ’91 Stewart was wearing a brace to stabilize a herniated disk in his neck that had caused him to lose strength in his left arm. Reduced to nothing more than a spectator in his own backyard at Bay Hill during Arnold Palmer’s tournament, he was out for 10 weeks and unable to play in the Masters. An exercise regimen helped rehabilitate the neck, but Stewart would struggle the rest of his career with three degenerative disks in his lower back. He played at Harbour Town the week after Augusta, tied for fourth, and took aim on his most prized goal, the U.S. Open at

CC, outside Minneapolis.

The U.S. Open had been at Hazeltine on one previous occasion, when the Englishman Tony Jacklin won in 1970, and the layout of architect Robert Trent Jones was mocked as if it had been drawn up by a 4-year-old with finger paints. After the ’70 Open, Jones made some changes, augmented later by his youngest son, Rees, a second-generation golf course architect like his older brother, Bobby.

By the time the U.S. Open returned to Minnesota, it had a trio of finishing holes as tough as any in golf, holes that would cost Scott Simpson a second national championship. Simpson, who would later become almost as well known for being actor Bill Murray’s patient partner in the annual Pebble Beach pro-am started by Bing Crosby, birdied the 14th, 15th and 16th holes in the ’87 U.S. Open at Olympic Club outside San Francisco to beat eight-time major champion and local favorite Tom Watson, who had attended Stanford University, just up the 101 Freeway.

Simpson, a University of Southern California product himself, finished in the top 10 in the next two U.S. Opens (the ones won by Curtis Strange) to earn a reputation as a dependable Open player. He had an unusual action. At address he’d slowly lower his upper body toward the ball and then rise up as he took the club back to the top. Though their swings were as similar as a Van Gogh and a mechanical drawing, Stewart and Simpson had at least one trait in common: Neither was given to making the big mistake. In a U.S. Open brilliance has far less to do with swashbuckling shotmaking than it does the ability to avoid calamity, shot-by-shot, hole-by-hole, until you’ve simply outlasted your peers. It’s about as glamorous as being stuck with the check.

Hazeltine

Just like at Kemper Lakes two years before, a violent summer thunderstorm hit Hazeltine, but this was far worse than just an interruption in play. A darkening sky filled with electricity halted the first round just after 1 o’clock, and six men took shelter underneath the branches of a small willow tree 30 yards or so from the 11th tee. Two flashes of lightning knocked all six to the ground. William Faddell, who was not even a golf fan but who had been given the tickets by his father, died of cardiac arrest. Two months later, at the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick outside Indianapolis, another spectator, Thomas Weaver, was killed by lightning in the parking lot. The confluence of tragic events led to golf’s organizers forever changing the way they treated hazardous weather.

When play resumed, the rain-softened course gave up some good scores, including Stewart’s opening 67, which tied him with Nolan Henke, a Battle Creek, Michigan, native who would just as soon have been fishing as leading the U.S. Open. By the end of three rounds Stewart and Simpson had managed to separate themselves from the field by three shots. For almost all of Sunday Simpson was in firm control. Almost is the operative word. He reached the final three holes with a 2-shot lead over Stewart but bogeyed the 16th and 18th, while Stewart made a brave 5-footer at the last to force the Monday playoff. By the next day Hazeltine’s greens had baked out, turning crusty and unforgiving. Again, Simpson came to the last three holes with a 2-shot lead, and, again, it wouldn’t hold up. Stewart made a 20-footer for birdie on the 16th, while Simpson missed from inside 3 feet for bogey. Rattled, Simpson pulled his 4-iron on the 17th into the pond and scrambled for another bogey. Now, he was down a shot. Simpson’s approach at the 18th ran through the green, and with Stewart 5 feet away for par, he tried to chip in but couldn’t. Stewart won, 75-77.

“It’s disappointing to lose the U.S. Open two days in a row,” said Simpson, who had played those last three holes eight over par for the week to Stewart’s one under. When it was over Stewart bought champagne for the media, a grandiose gesture he now shared with Tony Lema, who died in a plane crash 33 years before Stewart did. “I come off as arrogant sometimes,” Stewart explained to the press. “Maybe you guys caught me at the wrong time a couple of times. If you got to know me, I’m a pretty nice guy, and by God, I’ll buy champagne anytime you want it.”

In some ways the next few years were not kind to Stewart. In others they were the kindest of all. With two major championships he could command lucrative, for those days, endorsements, and he landed an equipment deal that paid him handsomely but poisoned his game. If Scott Simpson had had a reputation as a man who showed up in the U.S. Open, Stewart did, too, finishing a gut-wrenching second to Lee Janzen, not once but twice. In 1993 at Baltusrol GC in New Jersey, Janzen hit it through trees on the 10th, chipped in on the 16th, and caromed a shot off another tree and into the fairway on the 17th. He hit just six fairways and 11 greens on Sunday and beat Stewart by two.

Stewart’s back had become a never-ending source of discomfort. And, by 1994, he had the kind of midlife career malaise many top players experience. He began to wonder if it was all worth it. There is little doubt Stewart became a different person the last years of his life. He found a peace of mind that had elud-

ed him from the time he was a boy in the balcony of Springfield’s Grace Methodist Church, where he couldn’t sit still and his father sang too loudly. “The last two years of his life, he was a really good person,” said Hicks. “He just walked a different walk.”

Everyone who knew him saw it. “He was so much more thoughtful. He was so much more concerned about other people,” said Coop. “He was more at peace with himself, too. It wasn’t a logical peace. He fought to find that peace by playing harder or playing better or being more popular, and that’s just not where it comes from. The religion really gave him a sense of what was important. I think he didn’t try as hard to be liked, and he was liked more. He was accepted more by not trying so hard to be accepted.”

Stewart, who had won only once following Hazeltine, finished second to Janzen again in the U.S. Open, this time at the Olympic Club in ’98. On Friday the USGA used a lamentable back pin position on the steeply sloped 18th green, and, with the possible exception of Tom Lehman, who four-putted it, few were bitten harder than Stewart. After missing a short, curling birdie putt, Stewart could only fold his arms, furiously chew his gum, and watch stone-faced as his ball rolled and rolled 25 feet back down the slope. Though he’d held a 4-shot lead going into Sunday, Stewart played poorly in the final round. While luck shined on Janzen once again, this time on the fifth when his tee shot into the tops of the cypress trees dropped to the ground even as he was walking back to re-tee, Stewart wasn’t as fortunate. After struggling to find a fairway, he finally did with a 3-wood on the 12th, but the ball settled into a sand-filled divot. The bad break led to two more bogeys, the most critical at the 16th, and he eventually lost to Janzen by a shot. But this was a far different Stewart than the one who had seemed so callous in victory over Mike Reid at Kemper Lakes. “He was about as gracious a loser as you could possibly have,” said Cook. “He congratulated Lee. Talked about how well Lee played, about how he just didn’t have it that day.”

Stewart’s showing in San Francisco had reinforced his selfbelief for the following year in Pinehurst. Generally considered Donald Ross’ finest work among the 400 or so courses he created, the heart and soul of the No. 2 Course are its domed greens. The Pinehurst Resort suffered through some tough financial times in the ’70s and ’80s, and the No. 2 Course’s reputation had taken a hit as well. With rough grown up right to the collars of the putting surfaces, it was thought to be too easy a mark for the modern player. It wasn’t until PGA Tour commissioner Deane Beman brought the Tour Championship there in 1991, shaving the green embankments to restore the character of the course, that No. 2’s challenge emerged from its own shadow. The only course in America easily identified simply by an integer, only the best-struck shot would hold No. 2’s greens. If a player’s ball rolled off into a collection area, his next shot offered a dicey set of choices — lob it up on top, pitch it into the bank, putt it up the hill. That’s all well and good if you’re smoking cheap cigars and playing a $5 Nassau with a group of high handicaps, but when there’s a national championship at stake, those decisions become a hall of mirrors.

Stewart traveled to North Carolina after missing the cut in Memphis. He put the weekend to good use, playing a practice round with Cook, and carrying just his chipping clubs and a put-

ter. They mapped the greens, marking them with red lights, green lights and yellow lights for the places he could not, or should not, hit the ball.

Pinehurst wasn’t the first time he and Cook had plotted a course that way. They did the same thing for every Open Championship links, too. Pinehurst, however, was the only time Stewart ever carried his yardage book himself, usually preferring to leave that job to his caddie, Hicks.

For the second straight year Stewart went into Sunday’s final round with a lead, just one stroke this time instead of the four shots he had in hand at the Olympic Club. And, for the second straight year, he was overtaken on the back nine, this time by the man he was playing beside, Phil Mickelson. And, for the second straight year, he had a tee shot land in a sand-filled divot, this time on the fourth hole. But after his experience at Olympic, he’d spent time practicing the shot and saved his par. Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods took runs at the lead, but, in the end, the championship came down to Stewart and Mickelson and the final three holes.

Only once during the week did Stewart make a red-light mistake, missing the green in the worst possible spot on the par-3 15th on Sunday. The designation earned its distinction when he had to make a long putt just to salvage the bogey that dropped him a shot behind Mickelson. Sunday of the U.S. Open always falls on Father’s Day, and Mickelson, who had just turned 29 and had yet to win his first major, was carrying a buzzer in his golf bag waiting for a call from his wife, Amy, who was expecting the couple’s first child.

On the 16th, normally a par-5 played as a par-4 during the Open, Mickelson gave Stewart’s shot back with a bogey of his own. Both players missed the green, and Stewart hit one of his weakest chips of the week, leaving himself a downhill, doublebreaking 20-footer. When he curled it in the center, he barely reacted. For Coop, this was one of the most telling moments of their 11 years together.

“That putt on 16, you couldn’t make with a bushel of balls,” said Coop. “All he did was raise his right index finger to acknowledge the crowd and went right back into concentration. We worked so hard on that, so hard, not to get too high, not to get too low. He worked on his deficiencies.” With Stewart in the hole with par, Mickelson’s 8-footer missed, and now they were tied again with two to play and no one else really in the game after Woods’ bogey at the par-3 17th.

Stewart hit his 6-iron 4 feet from the hole on the 17th, and Mickelson followed with a 7-iron 8 feet away. Mickelson missed on the right, and Stewart holed to retake the lead going to the last, an uphill par four of 446 yards. Mickelson found the fairway, but Stewart’s drive landed in the right rough. All day it had been wet and uncharacteristically cool for North Carolina in June, when it’s more likely to be in the 90s than the 60s. On the practice ground, a place called Maniac Hill, Stewart had taken out his navy blue rain jacket during his warm-up but didn’t like the way it restricted his swing, so he cut the sleeves off with a pair of scissors. As Hicks and Stewart walked up the hill against the cold drizzle, the carillon from The Village Chapel, just a couple of blocks away, chimed “Amazing Grace.”

The moment Stewart saw his lie in the thick Bermuda rough, he never thought of anything but laying up short of the cross bunker. From there he’d have a 75-yard wedge shot into the backleft pin. Mickelson hit his second on the green but left himself a 25-footer with a huge right-to-left swing in it, hardly a putt he could expect to make. Trying to cobble together a classic, scrambling U.S. Open par, Stewart wedged his third 20 feet below the hole. Mickelson missed, and Stewart made his right in the middle again. This time he rose up on one leg and punched the air. Hicks tossed the flagstick away and flew into his player’s arms, wrapping his legs around him.

After picking up his golf ball, Stewart took Mickelson’s face in both his hands and told him, “You’re going to be a father. You’re going to be a father.”

That night the Open champion and his caddie drove to Mebane, North Carolina, Hicks’ hometown, for a fundraiser the following day. Stewart never entertained the notion of not showing up. Instead, the two of them sat up most of the night in Hicks’ kitchen taking turns drinking champagne from the U.S. Open trophy until the caddie could sneak away to bed unnoticed.

In September, as the days shorten, the Ryder Cup Matches have early starts, particularly the morning sessions of either four ball or foursomes. Warm-ups can begin before sunrise, and often the matches don’t end until dark. Stewart loved his music. He played in Peter Jacobsen’s band Jake Trout and the Flounders, and he was a devoted Jimmy Buffett parrothead. He traveled with a case of harmonicas in a range of keys, all of which he could violate without the slightest hint of remorse. But he was never more purposefully musical than he was at a Ryder Cup. Whenever Stewart was on the U.S. side, which he was five times, wake-up calls were completely unnecessary. Up before any of his teammates, Stewart would blast Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” at full throttle for everyone in the hotel, American and European alike, to hear. If Seve Ballesteros liked nothing better than beating Americans, Payne Stewart liked nothing better than playing for his country.

At The Country Club in Brookline, the course where Francis Ouimet won the 1913 U.S. Open in a playoff against British legends Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, the U.S. team fell woefully behind after the first two days. The Americans were four points behind, 10-6. No lead that large had ever been overcome in the history of the matches. U.S. captain Ben Crenshaw front-loaded his lineup, and the Americans won the first six singles. When Justin Leonard rolled in an improbable monster putt on the 17th, the green near Ouimet’s house where he made the crucial stroke against Vardon and Ray, the Americans stormed thoughtlessly onto the green while José Maria Olazábal stood in stoic dignity, still with a chance to halve the hole. He didn’t, though. Crenshaw kissed the green where Ouimet had beaten the Brits. The stunning U.S. comeback was complete but for one thing.

The match directly behind Leonard and Olazábal was Payne Stewart and Colin Montgomerie. The Boston crowd had been enormously unkind to Montgomerie, hurling insults about his game, his team, his body, anything they could think of. Some particularly well-lubricated and obnoxious fans were ejected from the grounds at Stewart’s insistence. When Stewart picked up

Montgomerie’s ball on the 18th green at The Country Club, giving him the match, Hicks thought it was his player’s finest moment, greater even than the 18th green at Pinehurst just months before.

“What he did with Monty was the proudest moment I ever had,” said Hicks. “The old Payne Stewart wouldn’t have done that. He wouldn’t have been thinking about the big picture. I was proud of the way he handled himself the whole day. Those people were ruthless.”

The first person Stewart saw on the green was Montgomerie’s wife at the time, Eimeer. He hugged her and apologized for the fans’ behavior. At 42 Stewart had become a man in full.

Payne Stewart holding the trophy after the final round of the 1999 U.S. Open. (J. D. Cuban/ Courtesy USGA Museum)

It was a cool morning in Orlando, Florida, on October 25, with a few puffy white clouds in the sky. By afternoon it would be in the 70s, a perfect day for golf, and flying. Michael Kling, a captain for Sunjet Aviation, came to work at 6:30 a.m. His first officer, Stephanie Bellegarrigue, arrived 15 minutes later. They inspected and fueled Learjet n47bA, loaded a cooler with ice and soft drinks on board, and left Sanford, Florida, for Orlando International Airport at 7:54 a.m. to pick up their passengers: Payne Stewart; his agents, Van Arden and Robert Fraley; and Bruce Borland, a last-minute addition from Jack Nicklaus’ architectural team who was anxious to work with Stewart on a golf course project near Dallas.

Stewart and his wife, Tracey, were up early that morning, too. She had an appointment with a chiropractor, and Payne made pancakes for the children, Chelsea and Aaron, before the three of them left for school around 7:30 a.m. Stewart had angered some of his professional friends because he’d backed out of a commitment to play in a fundraising event that day hosted by Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill. Instead, he would stop in Dallas on his way to Houston for the Tour Championship.

The Learjet took off from Orlando International Airport at 9:19 a.m. After a series of altitude clearances, at 9:26 a.m. the pilot was instructed to change radio frequency and contact a Jacksonville controller, who cleared them to climb to, and maintain, flight level 390 to Dallas. The response, “Three nine zero bravo alpha,” are the last known words to have been spoken on the airplane.

From that moment until 12:12 p.m. central daylight time, n47bA was first intercepted by an F-16 from the Fortieth Flight Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, then followed by two

Oklahoma Air National Guard F-16s, joined by a pair of North Dakota Air National Guard F-16s. All reported the windows fogged or frozen and no signs of life. A cataclysmic loss of cabin pressure had turned it into a ghost ship. For nearly four hours, first in great confusion and then heartbreaking resignation, the saga played out on cable news as the Learjet flew like a porpoise through the air. Stuck in a climb, it bumped up against its maximum altitude of 48,900 feet, descended to a level where its engines functioned more efficiently, and then climbed back to its apex over and over again until its fuel tanks ran dry.

It came down like a javelin in a field outside of Mina, South Dakota, down a dirt road, behind bales of hay, where Jon Hoffman’s cows grazed. The entry wound in the Earth was shockingly compact, as much a grave as a crash site. “That’s where they are,” Hoffman said. Stewart’s last flight ended on land owned by a working man who built his own driving range just off his back porch so he could hit balls on summer evenings.

A polished stone unearthed by the force of the crash serves as its memorial. In part the engraving on it says:

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, Out of the miry clay;

And he set my foot upon a rock

And he gave me a firm place to stand. PS

Adapted from Playing Through: Modern Golf’s Most Iconic Players and Moments by Jim Moriarty by permission of the University of Nebraska Press. Copyright 2016 by Jim Moriarty.

Behind the Curtain

The making of NBC’s award-winning golf telecasts

By Bill Fields

As the people who love me could testify, for better or worse I have watched a lot of golf on television in a lifetime around the sport. This was the case when it was only a couple of hours and a handful of holes on weekends in the 1970s and ’80s, and in the 21st century, when major championships get sunrise-tosunset treatment with technology that was the stuff of fantasy years ago.

But until the fall of 2017, despite decades in golf media during which I’d written, edited and photographed, I had never worked on a broadcast. Then Gil Capps, longtime NBC Sports’ editorial adviser and 18th tower mainstay, called to see if I wanted to fill in as a researcher/statistician for someone who recently had left the position. I soon had a new gig at a dozen or so events each season — and a perspective on televised golf that wasn’t possible watching from home or a press room where I was chronicling a tournament for one periodical or another.

Hundreds of shows later, I’m in my seventh year as a contributing researcher assisting talent in the main booth, a spoke in the large wheel that is NBC Sports’ golf production team, which will bring the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst to millions of viewers. What was

at first an alien new world is now familiar. Strangers have become friends. Sometimes, at least, I even remember to not place my backpack on a damp floor before our attentive stage manager, Kathy Noce, has issued a warning.

I’ve been pumped when an announcer has used a meaningful tidbit or framed a moment with the context I suggested, and bummed on the occasions (fortunately rare) when I passed along something to talent that was incorrect. Television is a tightrope that typing stories, even on a short deadline, isn’t.

“When you’re on live television everything’s immediate,” says Capps, a Hickory native and Davidson College graduate, who worked his first U.S. Open in 1995 at Shinnecock Hills and has been alongside golf host Dan Hicks since 2000. “There are no backspace keys, no eraser. You’re obviously striving to be right all the time, but it’s not just that — it’s being able to show things or tell things that make sense, that do justice to what you’re seeing.”

Many people and much equipment are needed to broadcast golf, more than a casual viewer would imagine. That includes production managers who handle logistics for the traveling circus, to caterers who feed us, and support staff who toil long hours making sure

L-R: Joe Martin, Tommy Roy and Tom Randolph

Brad Faxon, left, and Mike Tirico will be joined in the 18th tower at the U.S. Open by Dan Hicks and Brandel Chamblee

L-R: Dan Hicks, Brandel Chamblee, Brad Faxon, Steve Sands on camera, and researcher Harrison Root

everybody has what they need to do their jobs, whether that’s getting index cards to the tower or putting down plywood to make it possible to traverse a muddy compound.

“The producer is telling the story. The director is painting the pictures,” says Joe Martin, an industry veteran who has directed NBC’s tournament broadcasts since 2021. “But the technical team — technical director Mark Causey, the replay guys, the camera operators, the audio technicians — are really the backbone of getting a golf show on the air. It doesn’t happen without them.”

It is hard to imagine NBC’s golf coverage without lead producer Tommy Roy, who has been at the helm since 1993, and co-producer Tom Randolph, who has been alongside him for the whole ride. Both men got into golf TV years earlier, Roy while he was a student at the University of Arizona, Randolph after playing collegiately at UCLA, where he was a teammate of Corey Pavin. (His cousin, Sam Randolph, won the 1985 U.S. Amateur.)

Roy comes from a golf family as well. His late father, Billy, a native of Manitoba, was a longtime club professional in Tucson, where he moved to be in a warm climate after contracting polio as a young adult. “He was in the hospital for a year and lost the muscles in his legs,” Roy says. “He could play golf but not with power, and he walked stiffly. He became known in the Tucson area for giving lessons to handicapped people and the elderly. I

was always very proud that my dad was a golf pro.”

In 1978, when Roy was on holiday break in the middle of his sophomore year at Arizona, his dad helped him get a job at the Tucson Open. He had a choice of working in an on-course bar or as a runner for NBC delivering coffee to cameramen. He chose the latter because a friend had done it the prior year, the perk being the use of a rental car during the tournament.

But a week to earn spending money and drive fresh wheels turned into something of greater consequence when he was asked to help in the control room on Saturday. “When I went into the truck for the very first time, I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” says Roy, who was instantly attracted to the organized chaos. “Most of the time you’re taught to take your time, think about the possibilities, then make your decision. In the truck, you have to make a decision ‘now.’ It kind of goes against what normal jobs are.”

When Roy returned home that evening, he told his mother, Luanne, that his future had a shape, and soon he was on the road during the spring as part of the golf crew, joining NBC full time when he graduated in 1981.

That was the year that Randolph, who grew up in Menlo Park, California, got his start. He was a golf partner and friend of John Brodie, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who was an

PHOTOGRAPH

L-R: Joe Martin, Tommy Roy and Tom Randolph

Editorial advisor Gil Capps

NBC announcer. Brodie thought Randolph’s playing experience could be put to good use on a crew that at the time was somewhat thin in golf knowledge. As had been the case with Roy, Randolph enjoyed the hectic environment of many voices from Day One.

“Some people are fascinated by it and love it, and others come in there and have to get out as quick as possible because it’s too much,” Randolph says. “I had a little trouble studying and reading books, but I could watch two games at once, hear a conversation next to me and play cards at the same time. For most people, that would be hard. But I sometimes focus better doing more than one thing at a time.”

Randolph stands behind and between Roy and Martin during shows, his eyes on dozens of monitors. “I’m kind of a traffic controller in the truck,” Randolph says. “I have a lot of spotters and other people helping me. I’m looking at many monitors and figuring out where we go live. If Tommy wants to do a replay, or show some taped shots or other elements, where can we get those in without missing the most critical live shots? It is definitely a team effort.”

Martin will have roughly 65 cameras at his disposal in Pinehurst. Many are operated by experienced and expert hands such as Mike Wimberley, Gunnar Garrity and Rick Rice, who have done golf for years. Martin is communicating with them

throughout broadcasts along with volunteer spotters reporting who is hitting what shot where. “I can listen to three conversations at once and know which one I need to actually pay attention to, and why it matters to me,” Martin says.

Drones and an airplane will be in the Sandhills skies during the U.S. Open to capture distinctive views. Remember the dramatic images looking down at Tiger Woods as he exulted his must-make putt on the 72nd green of the 2008 U.S. Open? Those were shot by Bob Mikkelson, who will be flying above No. 2 in June.

Overseeing it all is the intense, Pepsi-fueled Roy, the 29-time Sports Emmy winner who in addition to working about 500 golf events has excelled at coverage of the Olympic Games (producing every medal-winning race of Michael Phelps’ glorious swimming career), the NBA and the NFL. Roy is the definitive and decisive captain of the golf ship.

“These are gigantic sports productions, and you have to have a leader,” says Hicks, who coincidentally also grew up in Tucson and graduated from Arizona, although he didn’t meet Roy until 1992. “Without a leader, you’re lost. Tommy has a huge swath of responsibility, and he’s done the job very well for a long time. He is our leader.”

Complacency doesn’t fly with Roy. “I’m just driven for great-

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL FIELDS

L-R: Gil Capps, Dan Hicks and Jack Nicklaus

ness,” he says. “I’ve seen people who get in positions who no longer strive for greatness. They strive just to be good enough to get by. And I don’t ever want that to happen for me personally or for anybody who works with us. We give our best all the time. We’re relying on so many people to do their jobs perfectly.”

As Mike Tirico, who will share the lead announcing duties with Hicks in Pinehurst, says, “You don’t ever want to let Tommy down. He has a bar for excellence that is higher than most people, and it’s there all the time. I’ve worked with great people, and he’s got a passion, an ability, an energy like nobody else. Nolan Ryan had command, a presence. He threw in the 90s for a long time. Tommy is just as good as he was when I first worked with him 25 years ago. That’s a lot of shots and a lot of miles to keep your fastball at 95, and Tommy’s is 95 with movement.”

Hicks and Tirico still bring it too, many years since their childhood aspirations of becoming broadcasters turned into esteemed careers on the air. Working closely with them affords a better appreciation of their talent: how fully they prepare, the cool under pressure, the ability to deal with an unanticipated detour, the judgment to let a moment breathe.

Capps has worked alongside Hicks for nearly 30 years. “I’m awfully biased, but at the same time I try to be objective, and I just don’t think there’s been a better golf play-by-play host all-time than Dan,” Capps says. “It’s a role that’s been blessed with a lot of good folks, Jim McKay and Dick Enberg among them. The list is deep with Hall of Famers. But Dan is unique in the way he can tell stories, weave them throughout an entire show, explaining what you’re seeing and why it’s important.”

“All hell can be breaking loose, and he’s going to come through time after time with the proper coverage,” Roy says of Hicks. “We’ve done so many hours of television together. That’s why there’s trust — he comes through every single time.”

Tirico, because of his extensive NFL play-by-play and Olympics hosting work, is more widely known to casual sports fans. He knows and appreciates that golf is different.

“You can’t please everyone,” Tirico says. “Some people want ball speed on every shot. Some people like the backstories of players. And some people just want to take a nap — they want the golf to be background noise. Golf is interesting because every time you show someone, as an announcer you could have so many different angles to explore. There’s statistics, there’s data, there’s historical material, there’s personal details about the player, there’s the shot that he’s facing or she’s facing. There are a lot of choices, and sometimes the best one in the biggest moment is to set up the shot and shut up, let people watch.”

Everyone on the crew will be looking forward to having the chance to broadcast the big moments in Pinehurst.

“Tommy has produced so many big events, and he’s clutch in the big moments,” Randolph says. “The thing I respect the most in Tommy is that he takes every show seriously and never mails it in. That said, he excels when the moment gets bigger.”

It will be the fourth Pinehurst U.S. Open that NBC has done, starting with the first one in 1999, when a star-heavy battle on a cool and misty Sunday came down to Payne Stewart’s clutch par putt on the 18th green.

“Your greatest hope in those types of moments is to take a back seat to what has happened, but you want to be able to enhance it,” says Hicks. “It can be easy to do, but you also can get in the way — and that’s what you don’t want to do.”

Hicks nailed the call after Woods sank his tying birdie on Sunday at Torrey Pines in 2008. “Expect anything different!” Hicks said, a brilliantly terse call for the ages that captured what everyone was thinking. Then he yielded to the many visuals that detailed the historic 12-footer in all its glory.

“There are always things I know we could have done better,” Roy says, “but Tiger making that putt in the 2008 U.S. Open was close to perfect. Dan’s call. All the angles. All the replays we had. Everything worked out.”

NBC’s last Pinehurst Open, in 2014, was bittersweet because it was the final one before the USGA took its championships to Fox. But in 2020, NBC regained the rights, doing the COVID 19-delayed one that year at Winged Foot and each championship since. The 2024 U.S. Open, the USGA’s 1,000th championship, will be the 25th U.S. Open for Roy and his team. (The network did a run of them in the early years of sports TV, ending in 1965.)

“It’s really cool to produce historical events, events that mean something,” Roy says. “The U.S. Open is huge.”

Like the golfers, we’ll be ready. PS

Tommy Roy

Perfect Partners

Pinehurst, the USGA and a common purpose

By lee Pace

Grant Spaeth and David Fay had heard all the arguments about why Pinehurst and its No. 2 course could never host a U.S. Open.

The club, through the mid-1980s, had yet to figure out how to marry climate and agronomy with the sometimes contrasting needs of having good putting surfaces during the spring and fall months for the paying customers, with the stiff and brisk greens mandatory for the Open’s customary third week of June dates.

The town was too remote; the biggest city, Charlotte, was two hours away.

There were two-lane roads in every direction.

There weren’t enough beds and dinner tables.

Still . . . that ambience, that pine scent, that bouncy hardpan sand, the ghost of Donald Ross, the pristine routing, that umbilical cord to the roots of golf in America, that specter of Richard Tufts of Pinehurst’s founding family having been a USGA president and a visionary on matters of agronomy, course setup and rules.

Spaeth, the USGA president, and Fay, the executive director, were unbowed that April day in 1990 when they stopped off in Pinehurst to play No. 2 on their way to Augusta, Georgia, for the Masters.

Fay believed a U.S. Open at Pinehurst could be “Tracy-and-

USGA/JOHN MUMMERT

Hepburnesque, a match made in heaven.”

“We agreed: Can’t we take a second look? How can we not go the extra mile to see if it will work here?” Spaeth said.

“Early on in this process I thought Pinehurst No. 2 was one of the great courses in the world,” Fay said. “It’s the United States’ answer to St. Andrews. Opens are usually played in and around large metropolitan areas, but there are a couple of exceptions. It might be that arguably two of the most outstanding sites for the Open are played quite far away from these metropolitan areas — Shinnecock and Pebble Beach. You look at the pattern of the British Open, which is actually played away from metropolitan areas. My feeling was, if you can have an Open at Pebble Beach, if you can have an Open at Shinnecock Hills, you can have an Open at Pinehurst.”

Fay reveled in the tradition and mystique of the golf course, the resort and the village. An avid baseball fan, he believed a visit to Pinehurst was like a trip to Wrigley Field or Fenway Park.

“How many times today do you hear some hot young star in any sport hear the name of a Hall of Fame player in his sport and say, ‘Who was he?’” mused Fay, the USGA chief until his retirement in 2010. “When you get to Pinehurst, that changes. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the history. It’s everywhere. It’s where you look, it’s in the air, it’s in the turf, it’s in the images on the walls, it’s in the church bells. You can almost feel the ghosts coming out.”

And what a story those ghosts can tell over three-and-a-half decades. Pinehurst No. 2 did in fact get its long-coveted U.S. Open in 1999, and the dominoes have been falling ever since.

Look at the Sandhills community and the USGA today: three

Opens in the books, another this month and four more set through 2047; two U.S. Amateurs on courses No. 2 and 4 in 2008 and 2019; four U.S. Women’s Opens held just down Midland Road at Pine Needles; and the USGA this spring opens its 6-acre Golf House Pinehurst complex with an administrative and testing center in one building, and a second devoted to a museum and the World Golf Hall of Fame, relocated from earlier homes in Pinehurst and then St. Augustine, Florida.

“There is no better place for the USGA to plant new roots than the home of American golf,” Mike Davis, the USGA’s CEO from 2011-2021, said in 2020 when announcement was made of the satellite facility to complement the USGA’s longstanding headquarters in Liberty Corner, New Jersey.

“North Carolina is a fantastic hotbed of golf, so it provides the opportunity to get closer to our customers, our core golfers,” added USGA chief brand officer Craig Annis. “We also see Pinehurst as striving to innovate, and that is also what we are doing. We are proud of our history. Both the USGA and Pinehurst Resort are celebrating their 125th anniversary this year, but we also need to look for what we can do to bring the game into the future.”

The $54 million Golf House Pinehurst facility is situated on the former site of club tennis courts on the west side of Carolina Vista Drive. The design for the buildings evokes the architectural heritage of Pinehurst with wide verandas punctuated by columns, hipped-roof features with dormers, large windows, and textured clapboard and shake siding details. The landscape around and between the buildings highlights the USGA’s ongoing work to help make golf more sustainable with

native plants and pollinator habitats.

“We’ve spent more money on the façade and the grasses and the outdoor walking gardens than you can imagine, making sure we look like a 125-year-old neighbor and not a 12-year-old neighbor,” says Mike Whan, who followed Davis as the USGA’s CEO in 2021.

Six hundred yards to the north is the Carolina Hotel. Three hundred yards to the east is the first tee of Pinehurst No. 2. Four hundred yards to the south are The Cradle and Thistle Dhu, the immensely popular duo of ancillary golf venues just outside the resort clubhouse at Pinehurst Country Club.

The new USGA Experience Building and World Golf Hall of Fame are in the thick if it all — in contrast to the first rendition of the Hall of Fame in Pinehurst from 1974-98, when it was situated in the woods on the opposite side of the fourth green and fifth tee on No. 2.

“The original hall was not on the beaten path for golfers going to play Pinehurst No. 2 and all the other courses at the resort,” Whan says. “If you’re at the Carolina Hotel or in the village and you’re going to play No. 2 or The Cradle, you’re going to be within walking distance of the World Golf Hall of Fame. That’s very different.”

The Test Center and Administrative Building has been occupied by approximately 70 USGA staffers since late 2023. Next door, the USGA Experience Building with the World Golf Hall of Fame on the second floor opened in May.

This second building is open to the public. With the lower floor at 9,500 square feet and the Hall of Fame at 8,000, the building is large enough to display a significant amount of educational content about the game of golf and historical artifacts saluting its history, without being saddled with exorbitant maintenance costs.

“Everyone who plays golf will make the pilgrimage to Pinehurst

at one point or another,” Whan says. “This is not a separate trip. Golfers are already coming. Together with the Hall of Fame, we’re more committed than ever to delivering experiences that build even deeper connections between golf fans and those who have truly led the way in this great game.”

The USGA Experience tells the story of golf’s governing body in America, beyond the national championships it conducts. One gallery highlights the science of the game with agronomy and equipment testing, the two areas in which the USGA has significant footprints. Another gallery embraces the U.S. Open and all the other championships, a total of 16 annually. One area will be devoted to a rotating exhibit, with some artifacts and memorabilia coming out of storage from the USGA’s headquarters in New Jersey.

Appropriately enough, that area for its debut theme will feature Pinehurst history and how the resort and town evolved into the “St. Andrews of American golf.” Interactive displays and kiosks, along with film and video snippets, enhance the experience. The area pays homage to a Pinehurst/USGA marriage that grows deeper in years to come.

In addition to the Opens set for 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047 on No. 2, the USGA has set Pinehurst for the 2027 U.S. Women’s Amateur, the 2032 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior, the 2038 U.S. Amateur, the 2044 U.S. Women’s

USGA/JASON E. MICZEK

Amateur and a future U.S. Adaptive Open. The 2027 and 2044 U.S. Women’s Amateurs and 2038 U.S. Amateur will also be held on Pinehurst No. 2.

“Bringing more championships to a venue like Pinehurst is a testament to the USGA’s commitment to our long-term partnership with the resort and our promise of expanding the presence of our organization in the area,” says John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer. “Pinehurst’s rich golf heritage and commitment to excellence make it the perfect setting for all of the USGA’s world-class events. Their commitment to our Open championships is incredible, and now we are able to shine a light on the amateur game here as well.”

The headline display area in the World Golf Hall of Fame will be the locker room concept relocated from St. Augustine. Lockers assigned to its 164 members feature personal memorabilia stored behind plexiglass walls, items such as Johnny Miller’s clubs used in shooting a final-round 63 in the 1973 Open at Oakmont; Jack Nicklaus’ MacGregor bag from the 1965 Masters; Bob Jones’ Spalding 9-wood; the Wilson Pay-Off putter Sam Snead used throughout most of the 1950s; Beth Daniels’ 1990 Solheim Cup bag autographed by both U.S. and European teams; and a pair of plaid golf shoes and black and white-checkered houndstooth cap and white plus-fours worn by Bob Hope. Visitors can access a mobile app on their phones to hear voice recordings and footage from various inductees.

“Putting these displays in Pinehurst in front of the hundreds

of thousands of people who come here every year will be a major benefit to the game of golf,” says Hillary Cronheim, senior director of the USGA Golf Museum and Library. “St. Augustine wasn’t particularly easy to get to. We certainly have our challenges in Liberty Corner. Pinehurst is just such a mecca for golfers, we’re confident we’ll get a lot of people here.”

It has been 31 years since the USGA announced at the 1993 Open at Baltusrol that it had awarded the Open to Pinehurst six years later, and Reg Jones has been a central part of the USGA/ Pinehurst relationship for all but one of those years. Jones was fresh out of Wake Forest University and was hired as an intern in 1994 by Pinehurst Championship Management, a department within Pinehurst Resort & Country Club created to market and manage the golf championships set for the Sandhills in the 1990s — the 1991 and ’92 Tour Championship, the 1994 U.S. Senior Open, the 1996 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles, and the big one, the U.S. Open itself in 1999.

His first office was in the catacombs of the Member Clubhouse, and from there he learned the gritty details involved in setting up the mini-city a golf tournament becomes — how to find and manage volunteers, where to rent Port-A-Lets and buy ice, where to position concessions and grandstands. When the ’99 U.S. Open arrived, “our tents, signage and landscaping all needed to look like what you would expect to find at Pinehurst 365 days a year,” Jones says. The corporate village had white columns to match the look of the Carolina

USGA/JASON E. MICZEK

Hotel. The media center featured 300 custom-built desks with state-of-the-art communications. Signs welcomed you coming in and thanked you going out. “Over the years, we’ve developed the ability to give each Open a flavor of its own. It’s not just a cookie-cutter operation.”

Jones was promoted to championship director for the 2005 Open at Pinehurst and then was hired by the USGA to manage the outside-the-ropes operation at all its U.S. Opens. He was allowed to maintain his base of operations in Pinehurst, and for nearly two decades Jones and his staff worked out of offices on the second floor of the Department Store Building in the village of Pinehurst.

Now he runs the Open from the sparkling new USGA building on Carolina Vista. “Going back to ’99, I remember the newness, the anticipation, the excitement, sometimes the trepidation,” says Jones. “There was the question hanging over the week of whether or not Pinehurst could host the championship from an agronomic and logistical perspective. I think we answered those questions. Then there was the finish — the weather, how eerie it felt to have Scottish weather in June in North Carolina, the one putt by Payne Stewart to win it all.

“Then you go to 2005 and the memories are a lot about the

people, the spectators, the volume of the galleries. The sheer numbers were incredible — right around 325,000 for the week.

“And 2014 was all about having the men and women backto-back. On Sunday the first week, we had Martin Kaymer and Ricky Fowler warming up on the range getting ready to go out, and the women were arriving to register and practice. It was really cool having the leaders of the men’s championship on one side of the hitting area, and Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer on the other.”

Ticket sales will be limited to 35,000 per day for the 2024 championship, the same as the 1999 Open. The USGA could handle a larger crowd but learned in 2005 that bigger is not necessarily better.

“In 2005, it was cool to see all the people and the energy, but I’m not sure it was the best spectator experience. We want to make sure that our fans that come here have that bucket list experience,” Jones says. “It’s the little details that make the experience that much better. We’ve learned each year, and that’s why coming back to Pinehurst is so good for us because we’ve got a plan that has worked so well. We like to say, ‘This is a home game for us.’” PS

USGA/JASON E. MICZEK

The Happy Head Guy

Benevolence begins at the top

By Jim dodson • Photogra Phs By John gessner

Bob Dedman Jr. is one pleased fellow.

On a gray and windy afternoon threatening rain — not quite the “beautiful day in Pinehurst” that resort operators chime as they answer phones — the owner of the Pinehurst Resort can’t stop smiling.

“Isn’t this something?” says Dedman with the tempered excitement of the father of a newborn. “You know, we just started this last November, and it amazes me to see how quickly it has all come together. It turned out to be something very special, a bit different from what many would expect to find at Pinehurst — but very much in our tradition.”

The “baby” Dedman speaks of happens to be the new Course No. 10 — the Pinehurst Sandmines — a spacious, soulful, sweeping links-style layout created by acclaimed golf course designer Tom Doak that weaves its way through the surviving mounds of a former sand mining operation and the remains of The Pit Golf Links. Dedman has graciously invited a friend to join him for a casual look at the course, where flags have just been set.

The key word in Dedman’s reflection is “tradition,” an indication that the past may indeed be prelude to the continuing evolution of Pinehurst, America’s oldest and most influential golf resort, which is in full readiness to host the 2024 United States Open Championship, its fourth staging of the Open in 25 years.

“This year marks the 40th anniversary of our family’s involvement here,” Dedman points out as he and his friend limber up on the first tee of No. 10, the resort’s first new golf course since the opening of No. 8 that celebrated Pinehurst’s centennial three decades ago. The buzz has it that an 11th layout by the design firm of Coore and Crenshaw may already be in the planning stages for

the same 900-acre track southeast of town.

“The first two decades were spent restoring what was already here and reacquiring parts of the resort,” Dedman says. “And now we believe we have the opportunity to make Pinehurst relevant for the next 100 years with new projects and experiences for our members, guests and visitors. Building on that tradition is the core of what we hope to do.”

This easygoing single-index (7.1) son of the game stripes a drive to the heart of the first fairway, a 350-yard jewel that appears harder than it plays. The boss clearly has game. “It’s been quite a journey,” he allows in the next breath.

In a sense, the journey has come full-circle since his dad, Robert Dedman Sr., owner of Dallas-based ClubCorp, acquired Pinehurst in 1984 from a consortium of banks that owned it in the aftermath of Diamondhead Corporation’s pyrrhic effort to “modernize” a threadbare Pinehurst Resort during the 1970s. Principally a real estate development company, Diamondhead controversially built hundreds of condos snug against the fairways of the No. 3 and No. 5 courses, removed the famous porches of The Carolina Hotel (renamed The Pinehurst Hotel) and sent its beloved wicker interiors to the town dump, replacing Southern comfort with coastal chic. Longtime customers weren’t amused.

On the plus side, Diamondhead did bring professional golf tournaments back to the Sandhills two decades after Richard Tufts ended the much-loved North and South Open in 1951. This effort was highlighted by a mammoth 144-hole tournament modestly called the “World Open” in 1973. The following year heralded the opening of the $2.5 million World Golf Hall of Fame on the hill behind the fourth green of No. 2, a move some Diamondhead ex-

ecs believed might eventually persuade the USGA to bring a U.S. Open to Pinehurst. Instead, Diamondhead itself ran into financial difficulties, leaving the Pinehurst Resort to the banks.

Dedman Sr. was its savior, a hard-charging but philanthropic billionaire lawyer who grew up in deep poverty in Arkansas, made his first million by age 50, and built an empire from buying distressed golf courses and private clubs, and spectacularly turning them around.

Recalling the day he first laid eyes on Pinehurst No. 2, Dedman Sr. told a Sports Illustrated writer: “The first time I stood in front of the clubhouse and looked out on those ribbons of fairways, I got tears in my eyes. . . . I had always venerated Pinehurst for its place in the history of golf, and when I finally saw it, I knew instantly that we would take this fallen angel and make it not as good as it was, but better than it had ever been.”

Four decades later, as the younger Dedman scoots along No. 10’s rumpled fairways, there’s time to reflect. “It didn’t happen overnight, and it took a lot of hard work by many talented people over many years to bring back the grace and charm of Pinehurst,” he says. “I’m just very fortunate to be following in my dad’s footsteps. When our family got involved with Pinehurst, there were six golf courses and one very run-down hotel. He liked to tell the story of how the chef actually fell through the kitchen floor into the basement.

“Now we have four excellent hotels and 10 1/2 golf courses,” he adds with a chuckle, referring to The Cradle, the delightful and wildly popular nine-hole, par-3 course created by architect Gil Hanse and his partner Jim Wagner in 2017, shortly before the duo spectacularly revised Pinehurst No. 4.

Following his father’s passing in August 2002, the younger Dedman became chairman of ClubCorp. Four years later, along with his mother, Nancy, and sister Patty, the family sold its portfolio of 170 top-tier clubs to a Denver-based private investment equity group for a reported $1.8 billion. They chose to keep ownership of Pinehurst, a decision Dedman says was shaped by his father’s promise to restore a fallen angel known as the Home

of American Golf. Not long afterward, Dedman purchased the historic Fownes house in the village for his wife, Rachael, and two daughters, Catherine and Nancy, and began spending increasingly lengthy periods of time in Pinehurst.

“Having the ability to keep Pinehurst was important to my family,” he says, pausing by the eighth green, a vest pocket gem tucked artfully into the lee of the dunes. “It was all about ensuring the legacy of this unique place, which has come to mean so much to all of us. We buried my father in his Pinehurst U.S. Open jacket, a reflection of how passionate he was about bringing Pinehurst back to its rightful position, a place synonymous with the best of golf and the game’s history in this country. I view our role in taking it forward into the future as an important calling. One lesson I learned from my dad was to provide the vision and support for what needs to be done, then allow the right people to create it.”

If, at first blush, Bob Dedman appears to lack his late father’s dynamic and colorful style, he displays an internal calm and reassuring grace that matches the moment and inspires his employees with a steady vision that may be just the thing for an angel that’s once again soaring. As Ron Green Jr. of the Global Golf Post summed up, “Dedman is many things — smart, influential and bold — but he’s not brash. In fact, he fits Pinehurst almost perfectly, appreciating the legacy that began more than a century ago while believing the resort’s best days are still to come. Dedman’s touch is like that of a good cashmere sweater and Pinehurst itself, soft but with an unmistakable depth of quality.”

Under his dad’s aegis, the team of President Pat Corso and Director of Golf Don Padgett engineered the slow but steady comeback of Pinehurst. Following significant work on No. 2 by architect Rees Jones in advance of the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Opens, Dedman Jr. pulled the trigger on a gutsy decision to allow the design team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to take No. 2 back to what the golf course looked and played like when Donald Ross began creating it in 1907. Starkly revised, it debuted with the staging of the historic back-to-back men’s and women’s U.S. Opens in

2014 — and proved to be a resounding success.

Against fears that the game’s best might make easy work of an Open course minus its traditional narrow fairways and brutal rough, only three men and one woman bested par during the historic Opens that year. When leader Michelle Wie faced potential disaster from a wayward approach shot on her 70th hole of play, an eagle-eyed fan named Bob Dedman Jr. found her ball nestled in a patch of wiregrass, preserving her path to victory. Talk about a sign from the golf gods.

Since that time, Dedman’s thoughtful leadership combined with the seasoned skills of Tom Pashley, who was named president of the resort following the retirement of Don Padgett II in 2014, have restored the soul and charm of Pinehurst’s past with a savvy eye to the future that’s visible almost everywhere one looks — in the transformation of the resort’s abandoned steam plant into a powerhouse brewery; a refurbished clubhouse that features lush new digs for members; an expanded Deuce Grill; the beautifully restored Manor Inn and renovation of the Magnolia Inn; and the budding partnership that attracted the USGA’s sparkling new Golf House Pinehurst and World Golf Hall of Fame, returned from St. Augustine, Florida.

Pashley says of his boss: “Bob is smart, curious, analytical, humble and funny. He constantly challenges conventional thinking and offers creative solutions to complex problems, offering up out-of-the-box thinking that has shaped much of our renovation work over the last decade. As we enter a new phase of creation versus restoration, he’s equally passionate about land planning and design. I’ve never seen him truly mad or upset except when he occasionally hits a poor golf shot.”

As the skies darken and a soft rain begins, Dedman and his guest decide to pick up their balls and finish another day, heading for a spot where No. 10’s rustic lodge and pro shop “with a barnlike feel” will rise to serve golfers and resort guests.

Possibly the golf world’s happiest resort owner easily slips into philosophic mode, chatting about the importance of giving back and quoting his famously philanthropic dad’s favorite lines from

Henry Longfellow’s “A Psalm of Life”: Lives of great men all remind us / We can make our lives sublime, / And, departing, leave behind us / Footprints on the sands of time.

It seems only logical to ask if he has one rule of life to live by. Dedman smiles. “I do. I used it at the Boys and Girls Club dinner. We had the privilege of starting the first chapter in 1999 and have supported it ever since. It’s a quote by John Wesley. After all, I’m a Methodist.”

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”

It’s a fitting spiritual coda for a rainy afternoon filled with talk of family, tradition and reborn angels. But make no mistake, Bob Dedman’s generous Methodist eye is fixed on the future, and the bottom line of a game and place dear to his heart. He jokes that there’s a “Fun Bob and a Business Bob.” The two are sometimes indistinguishable.

“We’ve been so blessed in Pinehurst. No one knew what to expect after the recession and COVID. But there has been a wonderful resurgence of golf, especially among women. New people are coming into the game. That’s a great thing. We believe that being given the opportunity to host the Open a total of eight times over a 50-year period is a validation of the things we are doing to provide a memorable and fun experience to everyone who comes here.”

Which prompts a final question from his slightly sodden golf partner: Is Pinehurst enjoying a second Golden Age?

Dedman smiles again. “I think it might be. Pinehurst is really the soul of American golf. Our job is to carry that soul into the next hundred years. Hopefully the things we’re doing today — rain or shine — will stand the test of time.” PS

Where Have All Our Gone? Champions

By ron green Jr.

It has been 25 years since Payne Stewart leaned over that 20-foot par putt on the 18th green of Pinehurst No. 2 with the U.S. Open title hanging in the damp, gray Sunday afternoon air.

Phil Mickelson, who had celebrated his 29th birthday five days earlier, could only watch from beneath his white visor as the thousands surrounding the scene fell into a heavy hush. For a moment, the only sound came from a bird on a pine branch nearby.

Then a movie came to life.

Stewart’s putt fell in, he punched the air, hugged his caddie and, amid the combustible noise, consoled Mickelson, who would become a father for the first time the next day.

Pinehurst, where golf had already lived for more than a century, had its timeless moment and Stewart’s joy felt contagious. It was Pinehurst No. 2’s first U.S. Open and, to borrow from Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, one that has led to multiple U.S. Opens and a second home for the USGA.

There is, however, a bittersweet thread that runs through the four U.S. Opens hosted at No. 2 — the men played there in 1999, 2005 and 2014 and the women followed the men in 2014. The four champions — Payne

PHOTOGRAPHS: J. D. CUBAN/COURTESY USGA MUSEUM, USGA/JOHN MUMMERT, USGA/MATT SULLIVAN

Stewart, Michael Campbell, Martin Kaymer and Michelle Wie — didn’t know it at the time, but their careers would never again touch the sky like they did in Pinehurst. In fact, Stewart and Kaymer never won another tournament, while Wie (now Michelle Wie West) and Campbell managed just one more official victory in their respective careers.

Stewart died in a plane crash four months later. Campbell struggled with the attention that came with being a major champion, and his game deteriorated. Kaymer, once the top-ranked player in the world, dealt with injuries and a loss of confidence. Wie won one more LPGA title nearly four years after her Pinehurst win, but her career never equaled her celebrity.

It’s wrong to suggest U.S. Open winners at Pinehurst are cursed — golf is hard enough without introducing the occult — but the titles the four players won there largely defined careers that took curious, even tragic turns, in the aftermath. It calls to mind one of the curiosities in the village that surrounds the golf resort involving the Magnolia Inn, which has been around since 1896.

In its original form, the Magnolia was tall enough that it blocked the view of the nearby and majestic Carolina Hotel. To

USGA/JOHN MUMMERT

remedy that, the top two floors of the inn were removed so that the Carolina stood in no building’s shadow.

By essentially cutting off the top of the Magnolia, it left the hotel with a stairway that was a series of steps that led, not to a room nor another floor, but to a wall. It became known as the stairway to nowhere and, in a sense, that has been the pathway for players after they’ve won U.S. Opens at Pinehurst. What could fairly be seen as a career springboard has instead — whether coincidentally or not — become more of a jumping-off point.

That’s not to suggest that, with five more U.S. Opens scheduled at No. 2 through 2047, something strange is going on, but it has produced a peculiar pathway from the top of golf’s mountain to whatever comes next.

Stewart’s story is tragic and familiar. He was one of golf’s stars, both cocky and charismatic, with a golf swing that angels might envy. Stewart dressed the part, wearing plus-fours and a flat cap, and there were times when his ebullience was more annoying than entertaining.

He had, however, begun to grow into a different man when he won the U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Faith played a larger role in

USGA/STEVEN GIBBONS

Payne Stewart

Michael Campbell

Stewart’s life and his sense of seeing beyond himself was demonstrated in the instant when he put his hands on Mickelson’s face mere seconds after breaking the left-hander’s heart on Pinehurst’s 18th green and gave him a message of joy about becoming a father.

Three months later, Stewart led the American celebration after a rowdy victory in the Ryder Cup at The Country Club outside Boston, the happiness practically dripping off him like the champagne being sprayed.

Then Stewart was gone, leaving a forever hole in the Pinehurst story, but his achievement and the spirit in which he accomplished it live on. Taking a photo alongside the bronze statue behind No. 2’s 18th green of Stewart’s reaction upon holing the winning putt — right leg kicked behind and his right fist punching the air — has become part of the Pinehurst experience for visitors.

Six years after Stewart’s win, New Zealander Michael Campbell arrived at the U.S. Open after narrowly qualifying. He’d earned his spot by birdieing the last hole in a European qualifier at Walton Heath in England, holing a 6-foot putt that would ultimately help redefine his career.

Imagine if Campbell missed and never made it to Pinehurst. Campbell was a world-class player, having won six times on the European tour and with an admirable habit of showing up on major championship leaderboards, but like everyone else in the 2005 U.S. Open, he arrived in the immense shadow of Tiger Woods.

When Sunday arrived, Campbell was one of several players

chasing third-round leader Retief Goosen, who was 18 holes away from winning his third U.S. Open title in six years. When Goosen stumbled in with a disastrous closing 81, Campbell outplayed Woods, who bogeyed the 16th and 17th holes, clearing the path for Campbell.

If Stewart’s victory became the stuff of legends, Campbell’s win seemed more a victory for one of golf’s working class. Half a world away in New Zealand, Parliament paused to watch Campbell’s victory.

Three months later, Campbell won the HSBC World Match Play Championship, and he seemed to be riding a rainbow. But, like rainbows, Campbell quickly faded. His game went flat, he injured a shoulder lifting his luggage in the Hong Kong airport, and 10 years after his greatest triumph, Campbell retired for a time from competitive golf.

When Campbell showed up at the 2019 U.S. Senior Open, he had a spot earned through his former glory rather than recent performance.

“I’m just starting out with no expectations,” he said.

Campbell rekindled friendships and felt the competitive juices again but, now 55 years old, his tournament golf is limited to senior events in Europe these days.

Pinehurst must feel like a lifetime ago.

Kaymer’s tale remains more open-ended but, to use today’s parlance, he’s trending in the wrong direction. At age 39, Kaymer is entering the netherworld in competitive golf, beyond his prime but still young enough to believe he can dig out what he once had.

It’s possible that Kaymer reached No. 1 in the world rankings with less attendant fanfare than any player ever. Even now, ask ardent fans to name players who have won the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Players Championship and, chances are, few will come up with Kaymer’s name. He was No. 1 for eight consecutive weeks in early 2011, the impact of his PGA Championship victory the year before helping to catapult him there. The numbers said one thing, but Kaymer felt something different inside.

“At that time I didn’t (feel like No. 1) because I never made the

Martin Kaymer

cut at Augusta. I never felt comfortable in Augusta just fading the golf ball. When I said to my coach after missing the cut for the fourth time in a row, how can I be No. 1 in the world if I can’t hit any shot? I didn’t feel like the best player in the world,” Kaymer said.

In 2014, better able to move the ball in both directions, Kaymer won the Players Championship in May, then dominated the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, winning by eight strokes. Playing the new No. 2 as retouched by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, Kaymer separated himself with brilliant ballstriking and a willingness to putt over and around the slopes when he missed No. 2’s famously difficult greens.

“It was probably the best week of my career I would say,” Kaymer said.

Kaymer would play 27 more major championships after Pinehurst and he managed just one more top-10 finish.

Playing on the LIV Golf tour now, the Germanborn Kaymer is raising his family in Europe and is happy with the choices he has made. When he returns to Pinehurst, it will be with fond memories but different expectations.

“Back then there were no scar tissues,” Kaymer said.

The week after Kaymer’s runaway victory, the U.S. Women’s Open followed at No. 2, the firstever back-to-back national championships played on the same site. Intent on allowing nature to dictate the course setup, No. 2 played firm and fast while turning from green to brown.

most meaningful victory of her career.

Until that hot week, Wie West’s star power had always exceeded her professional achievements. Since her teenage years, she had been the face of women’s golf but, after her headline-catching tee times in men’s events, she settled into an LPGA career that never caught up to the expectations.

Except that one week at Pinehurst.

On Sunday of the men’s U.S. Open, Wie West and Jessica Korda walked 18 holes watching Kaymer and Rickie Fowler in the final pairing, imagining making a walk like Kaymer’s up the final fairway. One week later, it happened but not until Wie West double-bogeyed the 16th hole to see her three-stroke lead drop to one stroke. No stranger to drama, she responded by holing a long, double-breaking birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole to help seal the

“The walk from my second shot to the green, I wish it could’ve lasted for hours, for days. It was the best walk I’ve ever had — well, outside of the walk to the altar and stuff like that,” Wie West said during a return visit to No. 2 last year.

She took a walk with her memories around the closing holes at No. 2.

It’s a place where ghosts and memories tend to hang around and, as flat as the place may be, you could swear there’s a mountaintop there.

Climbing that mountain may be the hard part, but coming back down may be the stairway to nowhere. PS

A Charlotte native, Ron Green Jr. is a senior writer for Global Golf Post and was the recipient of the 2023 PGA of America Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism.

Michelle Wie West

Once in a While-Away

Historic home comes full circle

By deBorah salomon • Photogra Phs By John gessner

TUFTS ARCHIVES

In the late teens and early roaring twenties, society hostesses planned guest lists around the comings and goings published in The Pinehurst Outlook. December 15, 1923: “Most of the regular colony came down earlier than usual, with practically every cottage in the village occupied. Mr. James Barber has opened up Thistle Dhu . . . Mr. S.B. Chapin came down and opened While-a-Way (sic) but had to go back to New York on a business trip.” In New York, the Chapins — engaged in finance, the stock market and real estate — lived in one of the last private homes on Fifth Avenue to survive the Gilded Age. Old money. Big money.

“Chapin wouldn’t be able to find his way around (While-Away) if he came back now,” says Kevin Drum, who with his wife, Dr. Jennifer Stoddard, bought the cottage in 2014. For Drum, owner of the Drum & Quill — the name a tip of the cap to his golf journalist father, Bob Drum — who has served on the Pinehurst Village Council and run for mayor, ownership of this historic property completes a circle.

“My mother told us kids not to play over here,” meaning the exclusive Old Town side of the village. He gestures beyond The Carolina Hotel: “We lived over there.”

Stoddard, a UNC Medical School alumna from Potsdam, New York, returned to North Carolina to

Kevin Drum, Jennifer Stoddard and Kevin Klenzak

join Pinehurst Nephrology Associates. After Drum and Stoddard married, they went house hunting. “I made the Realtor crazy,” Stoddard says. She wanted a historic property, as did Drum. While-Away was close enough to Jennifer’s office and the hospital, and easy walking distance to the Drum & Quill for Kevin. Plus, at 6,000 square feet, it was roomy enough for her three schoolage children.

“When you walk into a house, you get a feeling,” Stoddard says. “It was so comfortable, not anything tangible, just the smell, the feeling. I knew this is the house I wanted.”

She researched While-Away and Chapin at the Tufts Archives, discovering the wealthy philanthropist credited with developing Myrtle Beach to be “a good Great Gatsby.”

“But it wasn’t on the market,” Drum adds. Obviously, the story has a happy ending. “I looked at Jennifer and realized she wouldn’t be happy until we bought this house,” he says. Mission accomplished.

Previous owners had performed renovations, but the

exterior was about to undergo a transformation, beginning at the recessed front door. A document filed with the village soon after construction was completed in 1917 describes While-Away as “a one-and-a-half story frame house of asymmetrical design . . . and no clearly identifiable façade.” Perhaps the main entrance faced away from the road, as with other cottages built during the infancy of motor transportation, with its fumes and noise.

That was fixable. Designer Mark Parsons and builder Jeremy Strickland added a veranda stretching across the entire front, a brick patio across the back, a portico defining the front door, a garage, plunge pool, adorable pool/ guest house, new roof and landscaping. The house, brightened from grayish shingles to gleaming white, is now approached by a circular drive, with the pool and pool house perpendicular to the well-defined front.

The interior retains a whiff of bygone days, more comfyhomey than formal or exotic, beginning in a living room proportioned for Pinehurst society soirees. The main floor layout — cross-hall with the living room and dining room

on either side of the foyer — flows in a circle from foyer into dining room, butler’s pantry, kitchen, den and back into the living room with its gleaming wood floors which, if cleared out, could be a dance floor. In place already, a grand piano.

The classic floor plan pleased the new owners. “I don’t like open concepts,” says Stoddard, who chose soft pastels, a pale olive and watery blue, for the public rooms. Bathrooms go rogue with fanciful wallpaper. Some furnishings suggest the genteel 1950s, while others are secondhand “finds,” reproductions and family heirlooms that integrate well with High Point’s finest. Drum stands by a bedroom armoire: “It was my grandmother’s, from Pittsburgh. It stood in my room as a kid.” The dining room table owns the same provenance.

Stoddard admits the butler’s pantry, virtually untouched, sold her on the house. Drum sounds partial to the finished basement with wine cellar, pool table, movie room, bedroom and bath. The surrounding acre is divided into an expanse suitable for a lawn party plus a secret

garden where Stoddard is “working on peonies.” The rear patio encompasses a meal preparation area with a pizza oven and separate grills for meat and vegetarian dishes.

The jewel in most renovations is usually the kitchen. While-Away’s, redone by a previous owner, is neutral in hue, Shaker in simplicity but equipped with a large SubZero. “I like it the way it is,” Stoddard says. She and Drum both cook, “but at different times,” she says.

The only walls that needed moving were for upstairs bathrooms, some with marble tiles and oversized showers, featuring built-in rather than clawfoot tubs. In one upstairs bathroom a stacked washer-dryer combo — one of three laundry areas — is handy for towels and bed linens.

On the staircase landing hangs a large, stylized painting created from a photo of golfing great Babe Zaharias. Upstairs hallways are lined with paintings of famous golf courses. Golf hats and bar paraphernalia fill Drum’s “cave.” Stoddard, president of the Moore County Medical Society, also has a home office.

As the children grow and strike out on their own, their

bedrooms will become guest quarters or perhaps, one day, nurseries. “We’re about to become empty-nesters,” Stoddard says, as she prepares for guests attending her daughter’s graduation from UNC-Chapel Hill. “This has been my dream house, a labor of love, the perfect family home for us.”

Simeon Chapin built While-Away and five other cottages in Pinehurst. He died suddenly in one of them, the Albemarle, in 1945. At his funeral in The Village Chapel he was celebrated as Pinehurst’s “first

citizen.” The house remained in the family until 1952. Chapin lives on in the charitable foundations established in every city where he maintained a residence: Pinehurst; New York; Chicago; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Now, more than 100 years after the Chapins “arrived for the season,” a rejuvenated, still genteel but mercifully air-conditioned residence earned Pinehurst Historic Plaque certification in 2023. It hangs by While-Away’s main door, now proudly facing front. PS

ALMANAC

June

By a shley Walshe

June is a luscious muse, gener ous with her wisdom, lips to the ears of all who seek her. Want to know how to dance? Move as the dragonfly moves whispers, guiding your eyes to shallow waters. Iridescent wings shimmer in hypnotic circles. The pond reflects the magic back.

In the meadow, the muse beckons a gentle wind. Be danced, she sings among the rolling grasses. Let the movement find you.

Night Bloomers

Artists: Dip your brush in milkwort and rosinweed. Watch sunlight transmute meadow-beauty. Express with the boldness of spider lily.

Poets: Attune to the frequency of bees. Can you taste the earth through your fingertips? Spend the day supping honeysuckle and catmint, then cover your legs in clover pollen. It’s all for pleasure, the goddess intones. You cannot do it wrong. See for yourself.

Study the language of lark sparrows. Become fluent in butterfly pea and blooming thistle. Chime in with a choir of cicadas.

Dress yourself in Queen Anne’s lace. Map out the route of a swallowtail. Translate the essence of snap beans and squash blossoms.

Let listening be an artform. Or seeing. Or tasting.

How fully can you receive the richness of sound and color? The texture of nectar on your tongue? The depth and sweetness of these early summer days?

It’s simple. Surrender to the wild beauty. Let it move you. This is the mastery of June.

The full strawberry moon rises on Friday, June 21 (one day after summer solstice). What could be dreamier than a near-full moon on a midsummer’s night? Enter the moon garden. Breathe in the earthy-fresh fragrance of evening primrose (Oenothera laciniata). The sugary sweetness of moonflower (Ipomoea alba). The citrus-laced ecstasy of night-blooming jasmine (Cestrum nocturnum).

While not technically a night bloomer, the timeless aroma of gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) is anything but subtle. Awash in the gentle glow of moonlight, the delicate white blossoms of this evergreen shrub are a wonder to behold. Linger among them. Tell them the quiet longings of your heart. If you lean close, you just might hear their secrets, too.

It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.

— Maud Hart Lovelace, Betsy-Tacy and Tib, 1941

Puck & Co.

Nature spirits have long been associated with the magic of summer solstice. Fae folk in particular. But what kind of mythical being is that? The rosy maple moth is as storybook as it gets. With its woolly body, bushy antennae and candy-like pink and yellow coloration, this small silk moth is nearly unmistakable. As its name implies, maple trees are the preferred host for this visual wonder, which can be seen fluttering near forest edges throughout the state. Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of one this month. Though who’s to say it won’t be Puck, stirring up a bit of mischief? PS

Gallery Hours: Monday - Saturday 12-3pm

Art to Appreciate

Judged Exhibit & Sale

Opening ReceptionFriday, June 7 5:00-7:00

This exhibit includes the works of all members of the Artists League of the Sandhills and is the only art show at the League that is judged by a professional art authority. Judging the exhibit this year is artist Harold Frontz. Winners for best in each category, as well as a best in show, will be chosen. Award ribbons will be hung by each selected painting prior to the opening reception. The show will hang through Friday, June 28

OIL AND ACRYLIC

Color Theory - Harry Neely - Wednesday & Thursday, August 28, 29, 10:00-12:00

Mentored Painting in Oils with Cold Wax Medium - Jude WinkleySaturday, September 14, 12:30-3:00

Discovering Acrylics - Beth Ybarra - Monday & Tuesday, September 16, 17, 10:00-2:00

From Table to Canvas (acrylic) Liz ApodacaThursday & Friday, September 26, 27, 10:00-3:00

Next Step Acrylics - Beth Ybarra - Thursday & Friday, October 10, 11, 10:00-2:00

Using Color & Light in a Landscape - Courtney Herndon - Wednesday & Thursday, October 23, 24, 10:00-3:30

Beginning Acrylic Pouring - Meredith Markfield - Friday, October 25, 11:00-2:00

WATERCOLOR

Watercolor Follow the Leader Sip & Paint - Kathy Leuck - Thursday, July 11, 6:30-8:30

Travel Sketching with Watercolor - Ashleigh Corsino - Thursday, July 18, 10:00-12:00

Exploring Gouache - Christine Stackhouse - Thursday, September 12, 12:30-3:30

COLORED PENCIL AND PASTELS

Beginning Pastels - Kathy Petz - Tuesday, September 24, 1:00-4:00

OTHER MEDIUMS

Fabulous Fibers - Connie Genuardi - Friday, July 12, 10:30-3:30

Abstract Acrylics - Carol Gradwohl - Tuesday, August 13, 10:00-2:00

Beginning Alcohol Ink - Pam Griner - Wednesday, September 25, 11:30-2:30

Mix it up with Citra Solv - Carol Gradwohl - Tuesday & Wednesday, October 15, 16, 10:30-3:30

Beginning Scratchboard - Emma Wilson - Thursday, October 17, 10:00-2:30

Intermediate Alcohol Ink - Pam Griner - Tuesday, October 22, 11:30-2:30

UNC HEALTH PRESENTS

CARY’S KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATRE

Save with Lawn Flex Passes starting at $26 per ticket!

Plus, kids 12 and under are always admitted FREE on the lawn!

Light Classics

FRI, JUN 7 | 8PM

Concert Sponsor: William Peace University

Steep Canyon Rangers

SAT, JUN 8 | 8PM

Classical

Favorites

SAT, JUN 15 | 8PM

Concert Sponsor: CEI – The Digital Office

Swan Lake

FRI, JUN 21 | 8PM

Cirque Under the Stars

SAT, JUN 22 | 8PM

Concert Sponsor: Galloway Ridge at Fearrington

The Music of the

Rolling Stones

SAT, JUN 29 | 8PM

Songs of the ’70s

SAT, JUL 6 | 8PM

Concert Sponsor: Raleigh Windows and Siding

The Catalinas

SAT, JUL 13 | 8PM

The Symphony will not be performing at this concert.

Gallery Hours: Monday - Saturday 12-3pm

Judged

Exhibit & Sale

This exhibit includes the works of all members of the Artists League of the Sandhills and is the only art show at the League that is judged by a professional art authority. Judging the exhibit this year is artist Harold Frontz. Winners for best in each category, as well as a best in show, will be chosen. Award ribbons will be hung by each selected painting prior to the opening reception. The show will hang through Friday, June 28

UNC HEALTH PRESENTS

JuneEvents

CARY’S KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATRE

Save with Lawn Flex Passes starting at $26 per ticket!

June 1

Cirque Dreams Jr. Owens Auditorium

Plus, kids 12 and under are always admitted FREE

Light Classics

FRI, JUN 7 | 8PM

June 1-2 Cirque Dreams & Illusions presented by Gary Taylor Dance Owens Auditorium

Concert Sponsor: William Peace University

June 30

Steep Canyon Rangers

L. Brent Bozell III Owens Auditorium

SAT, JUN 8 | 8PM

You can find a comprehensive list of regularly updated events from Cameo Art House Theatre on TicketMeSandhills.com

Classical Favorites

SAT, JUN 15 | 8PM

910.693.2510 info@ticketmesandHills.com

Concert Sponsor: CEI – The Digital Office

Swan Lake

arts & entertainment

Although conscientious effort is made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, all events are subject to change and errors can occur! Please call to verify times, costs, status and location before planning or attending any events.

TECH HELP SESSIONS. SPPL offers oneon-one Technology Help Sessions. A library staff member will sit with you to assist with accessing eBooks, learning how to use a new device, navigating a computer, and to answer any other basic technology questions. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. To make an appointment come into the library or visit www.sppl.net.

ROCK THE VILLAGE. The Pinehurst Business Partners, the village of Pinehurst, and the Pinehurst Southern Pines Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau have collaborated to bring Rock the Village to life. Rock the Village is an art installation to celebrate the return of the U.S. Open to Pinehurst. Forty-eight rocking chairs have been sponsored and painted by area artists to celebrate the village of Pinehurst and golf. First Tee - Sandhills will benefit from this event. Village Center, Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.rockthevillage.com.

JUNE EVENTS

Saturday, June 1

KICKOFF PARTY. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Register for Summer fREADom, get snacks and prizes, and hear performer Will Johnson play music on the lawn at the Sunrise green space. Register on Beanstack and starting on June 1, get a free T-shirt for kids, a bib for babies or a tote bag for adults. Then read what you want, when you want, all summer long. On July 1, pick up your reading buddy and go on an adventure around downtown Southern Pines as the Summer Fox Trot Scavenger hunt begins. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. To make an appointment come into the library or visit www.sppl.net.

KIDS SATURDAY. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Families are invited to a monthly themed craft event to socialize and get creative. Geared toward ages 3 – 10. Given Memorial

Walking Tour

Library, 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-3642 or www.vopnc.org.

HORSE EVENT. SPEA War Horse Event (CT, HT, D). The event continues through June 2. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford. Info: www.carolinahorsepark.com. THEATER. 2 p.m. Sandhills Repertory Theatre presents, Jerry Lee Lewis & Friends. There will be a second performance at 7 p.m. Tickets are $36. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 420-2549 or www.sunrisetheater.com.

BALLET JR. 2 p.m. Gary Taylor Dance presents Cirque Dreams Jr. featuring the PK Dance and Elementary Studio programs at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.taylordance.org or www.ticketmesandhills.com.

SHAG SOCIETY. 7 - 10 p.m. The Moore Area Shag Society invites those 21 and over to a night of dancing. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with DJ Billy Cook. A cash bar is available, and you may bring snacks for your table. A 50/50 drawing will also be held. Admission is $10 at the door for members,

06.11

and $15 at the door for non-members. Down Memory Lane, 161 Dawkins St., Aberdeen. Info: (919) 622-2829.

BALLET. 7:30 p.m. Gary Taylor Dance presents Cirque Dreams & Illusions. BPACs Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.taylordance.org or www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Sunday, June 2

BALLET. 2 p.m. Gary Taylor Dance presents Cirque Dreams & Illusions. Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.taylordance.org or www.ticketmesandhills.com.

WRITING GROUP. 3 p.m. Are you interested in creating fiction, nonfiction, poetry or comics? Come to the Sunday Afternoon Writing Group. Connect with other writers and artists, chat about your craft, and get feedback about your work. All levels welcome. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: lholden@sppl.net.

Monday, June 3

QUILTS OF VALOR. 12 - 4 p.m. Quilts of Valor meets the first Monday of each month to create lap quilts made especially for veterans. If you sew, bring your machine; if you don’t sew, you can iron or cut out fabrics for new designs. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End.

Tuesday, June 4

BRAIN FITNESS. 10 - 11 a.m. Adults 18 and older are invited to enjoy short relaxation and brain enhancement exercises, ending with a mindfulness practice. Eve Gaskell will be the instructor. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

Wednesday, June 5

THEATER. 7 p.m. The Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater presents The Little Mermaid. Performances continue through June 9. Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater, 315 N. Chestnut St., Lumberton. Info: (910) 738-4339 or www.carolinaciviccenter.com/event/little-mermaid.

Thursday, June 6

SUPPORT GROUP. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. The Sandhills Chronic Kidney Disease Support Group meets the first Thursday of each month. This month we will have guest speaker Kathy White, registered dietitian and clinical nutrition manager. Clara McLean House, Shadowlawn Room, 20 First Village Drive, Pinehurst. Info: angela@sandhillsckd.com or kathy@sandhillsckd.com.

Friday, June 7

LUNCH BUNCH. 11:30 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to dine on different cuisines each month as they visit different restaurants in the area. Carpool with friends or meet at the restaurant. Dining locations will be chosen the week before. Info: (910) 692-7376.

ART EXHIBIT. 5 - 7 p.m. The Artists League of the Sandhills will host an opening reception for their “Art to Appreciate” judged exhibit and sale. It will be on display through June 28. Artists League of the Sandhills, 129 Exchange St., Aberdeen. Info: www.artistleague.org.

PREVIEW RECEPTION. 6 - 8 p.m. Preview and shop early from artists’ work in glass, ceramic, metal and wood at the Starworks Craft Invitational Preview Reception. Tickets are $25. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.starworksnc.org.

CALENDAR

Saturday, June 8

COMMUNITY YARD SALE. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Enjoy shopping 20 - 40 individual outdoor booths offering everything from handmade crafts, modern tools and electronics, vintage and antique collectibles, and even an assortment of everyday household items or clothes. A food truck will be on-site. The Bees Knees, 125 N.C. Hwy. 73, West End. Info: (910) 420-8970.

CRAFT INVITATIONAL. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. This exhibition features work available for purchase by the region’s most talented craft artists, spanning the mediums of glass, ceramics, metal, wood and fiber. Tickets are $5. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.starworksnc.org/craft.

STORYTIME. 10:15 a.m. Introducing our newest, once-a-month story time for children from birth to age 5 featuring stories, songs, rhymes and smiles, and where caregivers and young children can interact and explore the fun of language and early literacy. There are space constraints for this indoor story time. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.sppl.net.

SUMMER FESTIVAL. The town of Vass is hosting a summer festival with a live band, vendors and food. Seaboard St., Vass. Info: (910) 245-4677 or www.townofvassnc.gov.

Monday, June 10

U.S. OPEN. The U.S. Open will be held from June 10 to June 16. Practice rounds will be held from June 10 - 12 and championship rounds will be conducted June 13 - 16. Pinehurst No. 2, Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org or www.usopen.com.

PHOTO CLUB. 7 p.m. Sandhills Photography Club monthly meeting will be a competition. This month’s theme, “Go with the Flow,” invites you to immerse yourself in the world of moving water photography. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, come share your passion, gain valuable insights, and connect with fellow photography enthusiasts. Everyone is welcome. Sandhills Horticultural Gardens Visitors Center, 3245 Airport Road, Southern Pines. Info: www.sandhillsphotoclub.org.

FITNESS. 10 a.m. Join SLAM Fitness for a free class during the U.S. Open. There will be another class on June 12. Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W., Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

Tuesday, June 11

YOGA. 8 a.m. Join a free yoga class as part of the U.S. Open Showcase. Yoga classes will continue each day through June 14. Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W., Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

06.11

TOUR. 10 a.m. Enjoy a historical walking tour as part of the U.S. Open Showcase. There will be a second walking tour on June 13. Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W., Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

HATHA YOGA. 10 - 11 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Increase your flexibility, balance, stability and muscle tone while learning the basic principles of alignment and breathing. You may gain strength, improve circulation and reduce chronic pain practicing gentle yoga postures and mindfulness. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

AARP TALK. 12 - 12:30 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to join AARP for a fraud talk. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

PAINTING. 2 p.m. Enjoy paint by the number in the park as part of the U.S. Open Showcase. Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W., Pinehurst. Info: www. vopnc.org.

MOVIE. 8 p.m. There will be a screening of The Greatest Game Ever Played as part of the U.S. Open Showcase. Tufts Memorial Park,

- Tiger Woods

1 Village Green Road W., Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

Friday, June 14

COSMIC KARAOKE. 7 - 10 p.m. Familyfriendly karaoke until 9 p.m. Adults-only karaoke from 9 - 10 p.m. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.starworksnc.org.

Saturday, June 15

CRAFT DAYS. Children and their families can come by the library for Drop-in Craft Days and work on crafts and coloring at their own pace. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.

DANCING. 6 p.m. Carolina Pines Dance Club invites you for a fun evening of swing, shag, ballroom, Latin and line dancing. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dance lessons from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Dancing until 9:30 p.m. Beginners and experienced dancers, couples and singles all welcome. Cost is $20 per person, cash at door. Tyson Sinclair Ballroom, 105 McReynolds St. (second floor), Carthage. Info: (910) 331-9965.

TRIVIA NIGHT. 7 - 9 p.m. Trivia night at Starworks. Free of charge. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.starworksnc.org.

Sunday, June 16

STEAM. 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Elementary-aged children and their caregivers are invited to learn about topics in science, technology, engineering, art and math, and to participate in STEAM projects and activities. This month learn about cryptids and make your own Bigfoot print. Southern Pines Public Library,

Karaoke

Managed by

170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or kbroughey@sppl.net.

Monday, June 17

SUMMER CONCERT. 6:30 p.m. The Sandhills Community College Jazz Band has its summer concert featuring thematics of Henry Mancini and Duke Ellington. Sandhills Community College, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 315-6900.

Tuesday, June 18

BRAIN FITNESS. 10 - 11 a.m. Adults 18 and older are invited to enjoy short relaxation and brain enhancement exercises, ending with a mindfulness practice. Eve Gaskell will be the instructor. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

BINGO. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to play 10 games of bingo. Cost is $4 for residents and $6 for nonresidents. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

BOOK CHAT. 5:30 p.m. Join the perfect blend of books and camaraderie at the Book

Chat and Chill Night. Southern Pines Growler Company, 160 W. New York Ave., Southern Pines. Info: mhoward@sppl.net.

Wednesday, June 19

PLAYTIME. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Kids, bring your parents out and join other friends for giant checkers, giant Jenga, bubbles, fun and more. For ages 3 - 12. Free of charge. Downtown Park, 145 S.E. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

WHITEHALL BOOK CLUB. 2 p.m. SPPL’s book club for adults meets to discuss this month’s book. The book club is open to the public. Whitehall Property, 490 Pee Dee Road, Southern Pines. Info: mmiller@sppl.net.

BOOK EVENT. 6 - 7 p.m. Sara E. Johnson talks about her book The Hungry Bones. The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Thursday, June 20

READ BETWEEN THE PINES. 5 p.m.

Do you love reading and discussing amazing books? If so, join SPPL’s evening book club for adults, Read Between the Pines. Copies of the book are available at the library to checkout

while supplies last. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: mhoward@sppl.net.

CIVIL WAR ROUND TABLE. 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be founder and program chair of the Rufus Barringer Civil War Roundtable, Tonia Smith, with a presentation on “Gentlemen, You Have Played this D****d Well!” Meeting starts at 7 p.m. Open to the public. Civic Club, corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Ashe Street, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 246-0452 or mafarina@aol.com.

OPEN MIC. 7 - 9 p.m. Open mic night. Free of charge. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.starworksnc.org.

Friday, June 21

TOUCH A TRUCK. 10 - 11:30 a.m. Explore town trucks like fire engines, diggers and police cars up close. An interactive and educational event for kids and families. Pool Park, 735 S. Stephens St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sppl.net.

Saturday, June 22

METAL WORKSHOP. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Introduction to Welding: Metal Workshop.

CALENDAR

Cost is $200. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.starworksnc.org.

WRITING WORKSHOP. 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Join Nancy Christie for a special workshop, From “Writer to Author.” You’ll learn how to start the book marketing buzz and keep it going from pre-publication stage to post-pub and beyond, with advice drawn from authors and book marketing experts. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: lholden@sppl.net.

HORSE EVENT. Dressage at the Park. The event continues through June 23. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford. Info: www.carolinahorsepark.com.

MOVIE NIGHT. The town of Vass is hosting a movie night in the park. Info: (910) 245-4677 or www.townofvassnc.gov.

Monday, June 24

HORSE SHOW. NCHJA Annual Horse Show (H/J). The event continues through June 30. Carolina Horse Park, 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford. Info: www.carolinahorsepark.com.

Tuesday, June 25

HATHA YOGA. 10 - 11 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Increase your flexibility, balance, stability and muscle tone while learning the ba-

PineNeedler Answers

from page 183

SUMMERTIME SUPER FRUITS

215 W. Pennsylvania Ave | Downtown Southern Pines berribowlful.com

sic principles of alignment and breathing. You may gain strength, improve circulation and reduce chronic pain practicing gentle yoga postures and mindfulness. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

BOOK EVENT. 1 - 2 p.m. This is a virtual conversation with Eric Weiner about his latest book, Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’ s Formula for a Long and Useful Life. The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

TEEN BOOK CHAT. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Come to the Teen Book Chat and Craft. This program is for teens 13 and older. Share your favorite books, discover new ones, and connect with other teens who love to read. Bring along your favorite book to show off or read a quick excerpt from. Chat and make your own bookmarks, while supplies last. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: kbroughey@sppl.net.

Wednesday, June 26

LIVE JAZZ. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Live jazz music from Soul Noises. Free of charge. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.starworksnc.org.

CALENDAR

Thursday, June 27

WELLNESS CLASSES. 10 - 11:30 a.m. For adults 18 and older. Join us for educational topics that will improve your overall mind, body and spirit. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

DOUGLASS CENTER BOOK CLUB. 10:30 a.m. Multiple copies of the selected book are available for checkout at the library. The Douglass Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: mmiller@sppl.net.

MEDICAL MINUTES. 1 - 2 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to learn about different topics each month beneficial to the senior community. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

OLD-TIME JAM. 7 - 9 p.m. If you play old-time music or are interested in learning more about it, bring your banjo, mandolin, fiddle or guitar and join the jam. Spectators welcome. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.starworksnc.org.

Saturday, June 29

CRAFT DAYS. Children and their families can come by the library for Drop-in Craft Days and work on crafts and coloring at their own pace. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.

TASTE & SEE. 8:45 - 11:30 a.m. North Carolina is the birthplace of many wonderful foods. Learn trivia about them and watch cooking demonstrations on how to use them in unexpected ways. Audience volunteers help prepare four dishes followed by tasting samples. Light refreshments at 8:45 a.m. Free of charge. Sandhills Alliance Church, 111 Trotter Drive, Pinehurst. Info and reservations: (910) 635-6200 or bharper5@nc.rr.com.

LIVE MUSIC. 7 - 9 p.m. Live music from John McDonald. Free of charge. Starworks, 100 Russell Drive, Star. Info: www.starworksnc.org.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, July 4

PARADE. 9:45 a.m. 12 p.m. Come to

Dining guiDe

the annual Independence Day Parade. The morning will kick off with a pet parade. Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W., Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

Friday, July 5

FILM FESTIVAL. 12 p.m. The Lumbee Film Festival showcases bold, original new films made by Native Americans, Indigenous filmmakers and American Indians, especially members of the Lumbee Tribe living in North Carolina and across the United States. UNCP Thomas School of Business Auditorium, 1 University Drive, Pembroke.

Sunday, July 14

BOOK EVENT. 2 - 3 p.m. Beatriz Williams talks about her book Husbands and Lovers. The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

WEEKLY EVENTS

Mondays

WORKSPACES. 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Given Tufts Bookshop has a new pop-in co-work-

AUTHOR EVENTS DROP IN SIGNINGS WITH FREE BEER!

Stop by to meet some wonderful golf writers as they sign copies of their books, swap stories about the game over a free refreshment, take a photo and get a copy of the book autographed by the author!

Richard Mandell

Pinehurst ~ Home of American Golf (The Evolution of a Legend) Principles of Golf Architecture Monday, June 10th at 5pm

Sean Zak

Searching in St. Andrews: Finding the Meaning of Golf During the Game’s Most Turbulent Summer Tuesday, June 11th at 5pm

Ward Clayton

The Legendary Caddies of Augusta National: Inside Stories from Golf’s Greatest Stage Tuesday, June 11th at 5pm

Jim Moriarty

Playing Through: Modern Golf’s Most Iconic Players and Moments Tuesday, June 11th at 5pm

Lee Pace

Good Walks Wednesday, June 12th at 5pm

Jim Dodson

Final Rounds

Thursday, June 13th at 5pm

Scan this QR code to access conversations with these authors

Listen to these conversations and have plenty of stories to tell on the course!

space open on Mondays and Thursdays in the upstairs conference room. Bookshop floor and private meeting room by reservation only. Info: www.giventuftsfoundation.com.

WORKOUTS. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Adults 55 and older are invited to get their workout on. Open Monday through Friday. Cost for six months: $15/resident; $30/nonresident. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

CHAIR YOGA. 9 - 10 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Help offset body aches encountered with desk work. This is an accessible yoga class for bodies not able to easily get up from and down to the floor. Do standing or sitting in a chair. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

STRENGTH AND BALANCE

WORKOUT. 11 - 11:45 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to enjoy a brisk workout that focuses on balance and strength. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

RESTORATIVE YOGA. 12 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Practice gentle movements to improve well-being. Practice movements that may help alleviate pain and improve circulation. Bring your own mat. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

GAME ON. 1 p.m. For adults 55 and older. You and your friends are invited to come out and play various games such as corn hole, badminton, table tennis, shuffleboard, trivia games and more. Each week enjoy a different activity to keep you moving and thinking. Compete with friends and make new ones all for free. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

BRIDGE. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Enjoy games of bridge with friends. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

Tuesdays

PLAYFUL LEARNING. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Come for a drop-in, open playtime for ages 0 - 3 years to interact with other children and have educational playtime. There will be no playtime on June 11. Given Memorial Library, 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-3642.

CALENDAR

BABY RHYMES. 10:15 a.m. Baby Rhymes is specially designed for the youngest learners (birth - 2) and their caregivers. Repetition and comforting movements make this story time perfect for early development and brain growth. There will be a duplicate session at 10:45 a.m. An active library card is required. Dates this month are June 4, 11, 18 and 25. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.

HEALING YOGA. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older can try an entry-level class, for a mind and body workout that fuses dance moves with gentle aerobics, tai chi and yoga. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

GAME DAY. 12 p.m. Enjoy bid whist and other cool games all in the company of great friends. For adults 55 and older. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

CHESS. 1:30 - 5 p.m. Come join a chess group, whether you have been playing for a while or you have never played. This is a free

program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End. LINE DANCE. 4:45 p.m. Put on your dancing shoes and line dance. This is for beginners and is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End.

Wednesdays

SANDHILLS FARMERS MARKET. 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. The Sandhills Farmers Market features many of the area’s farms, nurseries, bakeries, meat and egg providers, cheesemakers and specialty food producers. The vendors are on-site at Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W, Pinehurst, through Oct. 1. For more information visit: www.moorefarmfresh.com.

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CHAIR YOGA. 10 - 11 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Help offset body aches encountered with desk work. This is an accessible yoga class for bodies not able to easily get up from and down to the floor. Do standing or sitting in a chair. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376. MICHELLE PORTER Broker/REALTOR® 336-207-0515 Homes@MichellePorter.com MichellePorter.com

BRAIN BOOST. 10 - 11 a.m. Test your memory while creating new brain connections. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End.

KNITTING. 10 - 11 a.m. Learn how to knit or just come enjoy knitting with other people. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End.

LEARN AND PLAY. 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Come in for an open play date with your toddler or preschooler where there will be developmental toys and puzzles as well as early literacy tips on display for parents and caregivers to incorporate into their daily activities. Dates this month are June 5, 12, 19 and 26. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.

JEWELRY MAKING. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Come with friends to create fun designs and memories. Supplies are on-site. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

PIANO. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Join Flint Long

CALENDAR

to play piano or just listen. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End.

SLOW AND STRETCHY. 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Adults 55 and older can flow through yoga poses slowly and intentionally, moving breath to movement, stretching everything from your head to your toes. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

LINE DANCING. 12 - 1 p.m. Looking for new ways to get your daily exercise in and care for yourself? Try line dancing. For adults 55 and older. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

CHAIR VOLLEYBALL. 1 - 2 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Get fit while having fun. Free to participate. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

BRIDGE. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Enjoy games of bridge with friends. All materials included. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

Moore County Farmers Market

DANCE. 2 - 2:30 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Instructor Maria Amaya will introduce you to dance fitness in a class designed for anyone who wants to gently and gradually increase cardio function, mobility and bal-

ance and have fun at the same time. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

LINE DANCING. 2 p.m. The town of Vass will host line dancing for seniors every other Wednesday. Cost is $5 per session. Vass Town Hall, 140 S. Alma St., Vass. Info: www. townofvassnc.gov.

LIBRARY PROGRAM. 3:30 p.m. At The Library After School (ATLAS) is an afterschool program for kindergartners through second graders who enjoy activities, crafts, stories and meeting new friends. Dates this month are June 5, 12, 19 and 26. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.

TAI CHI. 6:30 p.m. Come learn tai chi. There is no age limit and the classes are open to the public. Cost is $10 per class. Seven Lakes West Community Center, 556 Longleaf Drive, Seven Lakes. Info: (910) 400-5646.

YOGA. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Grab your yoga mat and head to Hatchet for a yoga session with Brady. Session cost is $10. Hatchet Brewing Company, 490 S.W. Broad St., Southern Pines.

CALENDAR

Thursdays

WORKSPACES. 7 a.m. - 3p.m. The Given Tufts Bookshop has a new pop-in co-workspace open on Mondays and Thursdays in the upstairs conference room. Bookshop floor and private meeting room by reservation only. Info: www.giventuftsfoundation.com.

MOORE COUNTY FARMERS

MARKET. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The year-round market features “producer only” vendors within a 50-mile radius providing fresh, local and seasonal produce, fruits, pasture meats, eggs, potting plants, cut flowers and local honey. Crafts, baked goods, jams and jellies are also available. Market is located at the Armory Sports Complex, 604 W. Morganton Road, Southern Pines.

GIVEN STORY TIME. 10 a.m. Bring your preschooler to enjoy stories, songs and activities. There will be no story time on June 13. Given Memorial Library, 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-3642.

BALANCE AND FLEXIBILITY. 1011 a.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to enjoy a class that will help reduce the risk of taking a tumble and increase your ability to

recover. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

MUSIC AND MOTION. 10:15 and 10:45 a.m. Does your toddler like to move and groove? Join us for Music and Motion to get those wiggles out and work on gross and fine motor skills. For children ages 2 - 5. An active library card is required. Dates this month are June 6, 13, 20 and 27. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.

CROCHET CLUB. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older are invited to come with friends to create fun designs and memories. Supplies are on-site. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

STRETCH, STRENGTH, BALANCE. 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Adults 55 and older can enjoy exercises that will improve overall quality of life. Exercises can be performed standing or seated. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

ADAPTIVE YOGA. 12 - 1 p.m. Adults 55 and older can enjoy yoga that meets you

where you are. Create a sense of balance and ease by slowly increasing your range of motion and mobility while maintaining your natural abilities. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

CHESS AND MAHJONG. 1 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Bring a board and a friend. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

CABIN TOURS. 1 - 4 p.m. The Moore County Historical Association’s Shaw House grounds, cabins, and gift shop are open for tours and visits. The restored tobacco barn features the history of children’s roles in the industry. Docents are ready to host you and the cabins are open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Shaw House, 110 W. Morganton Road, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-2051 or www.moorehistory.com.

IMPROVERS LINE DANCE. 3 - 5:30 p.m. Put on your dancing shoes and line dance. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15-501, West End.

LITTLE U. 3:30 p.m. Join Little U, Southern Pines Public Library’s preschool program for children ages 3 1/2 – 5, featuring stories, songs, rhymes, and activities that explore the world of books, language and literacy. Little U is a fun and interactive program designed to help preschoolers develop early literacy skills in preparation for kindergarten and beyond. Dates this month are June 6, 13, 20 and 27. Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-8235 or www.sppl.net.

SOUND BATH. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. All ages can enjoy the rhythm and vibration of this medicine drum sound bath as we move the body and mind into deep rest mode. Your body will be refreshed and your mind clear and quiet. A unique and ancient healing arts practice. Cost is $4 for residents and $6 for non-residents. Train House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

TRIVIA NIGHT. 7 - 9 p.m. Come enjoy a beer and some trivia. Hatchet Brewing Company, 490 S.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.hatchetbrewing.com.

Fridays

AEROBIC DANCE. 9 - 10 a.m. For adults 55 and older. Enjoy this low-to-moderate impact class with energizing music for an overall cardio and strength workout. Free of

Photo by: Shayla Velazquez

charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

JAM SESSION. 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Do you like to play an instrument, sing or just listen to music? Come join a music jam session. This is a free program. Moore County Senior Enrichment Center, 8040 U.S. 15501, West End.

TAP CLASS. 10 - 11:30 a.m. For adults 55 and older. All levels welcome. Cost per class: $15/resident; $30/non-resident. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

QIGONG. 1 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Classes will consist of chair and standing movements that can help soothe achy feet, tight hips and low back pain, and ease restriction in mobility. Free of charge. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

BRIDGE. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. For adults 55 and older. Enjoy games of bridge with friends. All materials included. Douglass Community

Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

LINE DANCING. 3 - 4 p.m. For adults 55 and older. If you’re interested in learning dance moves and building confidence on the dance floor, this class is for you. Leave your inhibitions at the door and join in. Cost is: $36 for residents and $52 for non-residents per month. Cost is for a monthly membership. Douglass Community Center, 1185 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

Saturdays

MOORE COUNTY FARMERS

MARKET. 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. The market features “producer only” vendors within a 50-mile radius providing fresh, local and seasonal produce, fruits, pasture meats, eggs, potting plants, cut flowers and local honey. Crafts, baked goods, jams and jellies are also available. The market runs through November. Downtown Southern Pines, 156 S.E. Broad St., Southern Pines.

SANDHILLS FARMERS MARKET. 10

a.m. – 1 p.m. The Sandhills Farmers Market features many of the area’s farms, nurseries, bakeries, meat and egg providers, cheese -

makers and specialty food producers. The vendors are on-site at Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road W, Pinehurst, through October 1. For more information visit: www.moorefarmfresh.com. PS

SandhillSeen

Arts Council of Moore County: “Palustris: Nature's Palette” Exhibition

Campbell House, Friday, April 5, 2024

Photographs by Diane McKay

Anna Grace, Leah Danak, Ashley Holderfield

Sally, Clark & Evy Kilpatrick

Caroline Young

Donna Traylor, Janet Wheaton Holden Richards

Keith & Ginny Thomasson, Mary Griffith

Linda James, Gordon Fung

Angela Webb, Abigail Dowd

Colin MacNair, Bridget Gibbons

Mary Fogarty, Nicholas Havner Mike, Irene & Landon Russell

Janice Hiltner, Jim & Clara Bernicker

SandhillSeen

Prancing Horse Barn Dance Fundraiser

Fair Barn

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Photographs by Diane McKay

Board Members of Prancing Horse

Terry & Michele Julius, King Curtiss Carpenter

Tim Graves, Larry Ceppos

Stephanie Stokes, Jen Hall, Jackie Dominguez

Former Prancing Horse Students

John & Laura Brown

Amy Gross, Glen Shell

Cynthia Downs, Ann Lawson

Sonya Stoklosa, Allison & Bentleigh Burlingame, Jamie McDevitt

Michele & Terry Julius

Bob & Mary Jo Newman, Jeremy & Claudia Carlson

SandhillSeen

Poetry Slam

Jam

Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Photographs by Diane McKay

Patty Thomson, Amy White Griggs

Courtney & Linda Peaerson, Hendrix

Catherine & John Nagy

Lesley Berkshire Bradley

Bill Case

Ann Petersen, Andie Rose, Denise Baker

Sonya Stoklosa, Mitch Capel

Jack & Tina Maisano, Catherine & John Earp

Joseph Hill, Elena Marsh

Jim & Iris Angle

Julie & Keith Borshak

Kathryn Talton, Lisa Case

SandhillSeen

Women of the Pines: 50 Years of Fashion Fair Barn

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Photographs by Diane McKay

Patti Talton, Carol Westerly, Connie Windham Dave Summers, Jason Lloyd

Liz Ferry, Danielle Kays

Marie Carbrey, Kathy Newsomb

Joyce Deaton, Brenda Sorrese Pine Branch Garden Club and Friends

Models from Eve Avery, CAbi, DuneBerry, J.McLaughlin, Monkeeʼs, Morgan Miller, Talbots

Helen Kirk, Glenda Kirby, Veronica Lloyd, Barbara Summers, Paulina Nicopoulos, Mary Hilgenberg

Barbara Barrett, Pat Welch, Pat Keegan

Mary Hilgenberg, Barb Summers

Pat Gleisner, Jennifer Nguwen, Karen Leder

Faith Clay, Rhea Kenney, Nancy Oakley, Beth Skewis

SandhillSeen

“Come Sunday” Jazz Series with Brooke Alford and Ensemble

Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities

Wednesday, April 28, 2024

Photographs by Diane McKay

Debbie & Cathy Durham

Zandra & James Clark

Regnier & Veronique Tempels

Kelly Nelson

Carroll Watts, Sue Deutsch

Brooke Alford and the CJ Baker Band

Roscoe Dobbins, Pat Tibbs

Debbie McGill, Therese St. Peter

Mike & Barb McGinnis

Maureen Parker, Debbie Dix

Mary Ellison, Perry & Deanna Bailey, Alice Remble

Kerry Yi, Alvina Lim, Cora & Casey Yi

June PineNeedler GRADUATION

ACROSS

1. Crow’s cry

4. Floral leaf

9. Past

12. Greek god of war

14. Come to an end

15. Move smoothly

16. Ache

17. Elite group

18. Yard greenery

19. Thorn

21. Foghorn

23. V.P.’s boss

25. Fly high

26. Graduation deliveries

29. Speech defects

33. Pub

34. Opera solo

35. Relating to the mail

36. Car rental agency

38. Ms. Winfrey

40. Exhaust

41. Endow

43. Self-esteems

45. Type of partnership

46. Military protection

47. Individuality

49. Chess piece

51. Visionary

52. Graduation handout

55. Southern accent

58. Pamper

59. Gras

61. Bluish green

63. Secondhand

64. House loft

65. Spot

66. Precious stone

67. Bird homes

68. Behold

DOWN

1. Graduation headpiece

2. Middle East dweller

3. Net strung across a stream

4. Straw man

5. Moray

6. Bucket

7. Evaluate

8. Unhand (2 wds.)

9. Winged

10. Graduation attire

11. Possess

13. Marsh bird

15. Blossom arranger

20. Region

22. Angelic ring

24. Ocean liner

26. Redeemer

27. Rainbow maker

28. Like a certain seal

30. Circus leg extension

31. Post-graduation activity

32. Santa’s transport

33. rum cake

35. Language sounds

37. Halted

39. Matures

42. Spoken

44. Brunswick, e.g.

47. Prisoner

48. Furious

50. Adult female

52. Medicine amount

Puzzle answers on page 161

Mart Dickerson lives in Southern Pines and welcomes suggestions from her fellow puzzle masters. She can be reached at martaroonie@gmail.com.

Sudoku:

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3x3 box contain the numbers 1-9.

53. Celebrity gossip article

54. Branch of learning

56. Loch monster

57. Gawk

58. Shoveled

60. Telegraphic signal

62. Caustic substance

By EddiE P E arcE

The U.S. Open is different. You’re on a razor’s edge the whole time. You play in your club championship you’ve got a gallery of 80 or 100 people following you and it feels like 10,000. On Tour you learn to block the gallery out. But in the U.S. Open you can hear a fly because your radar is up. Every nerve is firing.

Buckle Up

Welcome to the U.S. Open

You think the U.S. Open is fun? Maybe if you’ve got a cold beer and a hot dog in your hands. Not if you’re a player. Remember the massacre at Winged Foot? I’ll never forget it. Hale Irwin won at seven over par. Seven. I shot 84-78 the last two days. I was brutalized and so was everybody else. It rained Sunday and I couldn’t play fast enough. It was miserable. It was just so draining. It was the pressure of the Open, for one, and then it was the condition of the golf course. You could never relax. Jack Nicklaus bogeyed the first four holes he played. Most miserable week of my life.

It starts on the tee box. You’re visualizing your tee shot but then here comes, in the back of your head: Don’t hit it right. Don’t hit it left. And the greens? I played in the Open at Oakmont in ’73. The putting green runs from the back of the 9th green to the clubhouse. You could flick a ball from the clubhouse steps and it would roll all the way down and through the 9th green. We never saw stuff like that. That was the year Johnny Miller shoots 63 on Sunday and the next year we get massacred at Winged Foot.

But, hey, not all my memories of the U.S. Open are nightmares. The best finish I had in a major was in the Open at Medinah in ’75 — a T14, good enough to get me into the Masters the next year. My best friend was a dentist in Orlando. He got married right before the Open started and he called me up and said, “I figured out where I’m going for my honey-

moon. I’m coming to Chicago to follow you around in the Open.” He and his wife flew up and he followed me every hole for his honeymoon. Kept me relaxed. His wife never did like me. You do all kinds of things to get ready to play in an Open. Hell, you’d carry a baseball bat instead of a 3-wood if you thought it would help. Before Oakmont I went to the Cobra factory. The Baffler had just come out. We tested it in San Diego by putting the ball in the crack of the sidewalk at the plant and hitting it over the freeway. It came right out of that lie and I said, “I need this for Oakmont.” I used it a lot, too.

The Masters isn’t anything like an Open. The Open Championship isn’t anything like an Open. You can’t get aggressive. They won’t allow you to do that. Golf’s always been 80 percent mental but it’s 95 percent mental in the U.S. Open. You’ve got to be physically strong and you’ve got to be mentally strong — and have no fear.

Pinehurst No. 2 is a great driving golf course but you’ve got to keep it in play. Where they can put those pins, you’ve got to have it off the short grass to be able to position your second shot. If you miss a fairway, then it’s luck. You get in a clump of that love grass, you’ve got a problem.

If you’re an American, the U.S. Open is the deal. You want to win your national championship. There’s no other tournament. I don’t care what you say. There’s no other tournament that even comes close to the pressure that you put on yourself. That’s golf. You answer to yourself and that’s the only person you answer to. Now you’re playing for the biggest deal in the world. It’s a tough enough game without all that stuff running in your head. In the game of golf, it’s the ultimate tough man competition. PS

Long before he became part owner of Southern Pines Nissan Kia, Eddie Pearce — winner of the 1971 North and South Men’s Amateur on Pinehurst’s No. 2 course — was one of the most highly regarded amateur and young professional players of the 1970s. Between 1968 and 1979 Pearce played in eight U.S. Opens.