US KIds Golf 2011

Page 1

Sunday, July 31, 2011


welcomes

U.S. Kids Golf

Pinehurst has been grooming champions for decades. Seven-year-old Jack Lewis sits at the base of the original Putter Boy statue studying the Rules of Golf (c. 1954). Lewis continued his career in golf, winning the Men’s North and South Amateur in 1968.


SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.

PAGE 3

Welcome Home: U.S. Kids Golf Returns

U.S. Kids Golf has found a good home for the world’s largest kids’golf tournament. The U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, which debuted in 2000, and the Teen World Championship return to Pinehurst and Southern Pines, N.C., for the sixth consecutive year. Historic Pinehurst Resort, host of the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open in 2014, will lend courses No. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 to the world’s best junior golfers from July 27 – Aug. 7 when more than 1,700 kids from 48 states and 39 countries visit the Sandhills. The famed No. 2 course will also host the World Cup and Teen World Cup, both Ryder Cup-style match play events that close the World Championship and Teen World Championship, respectively. Don Padgett, president of Pinehurst Resort, is enthusiastic about the continuing partnership with U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, which provides an economic boost to the area in the summer. “We are extremely proud to have the tremendous opportunity to work with U.S. Kids Golf to offer this once-in-a-lifetime chance for these kids to get the feel of a ‘tour’ golf HANNAH SHARPE/The Pilot

see WELCOME, page 4

Golfers from New Zealand fly their country’s flag during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 U.S. Kids World Championship.


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THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

Welcome

About This Issue

From Page 3

tournament,” said Padgett. “We feel it is important for Pinehurst to play an active role in encouraging golfers at every age and level to enjoy the game.” For Dan Van Horn, founder of U.S. Kids Golf, the chance to have the “home of American golf” as the site of this most prestigious kids’ golf tournament in the world is a great experience. “U.S. Kids Golf is pleased to partner with Pinehurst Resort and several other outstanding courses in the area for our World Championships,” said Van Horn, who founded the company nearly 15 years ago. “Every year, top young golfers worldwide set a goal to play in this tournament in Pinehurst, and we’re proud to continue providing them with that opportunity.” The U.S. Kids Golf Teen World Championship for ages 13-17 will be played July 28-30, followed by the Teen World Cup on July 31 on No.2. The U.S. Kids Golf Championship will be August 4-6. This event will be for boys and girls ages 5-12 and will also be capped off by the U.S. Kids Golf World Cup. Both Padgett and Van Horn lauded the more than 700 local volunteers who make it

Cover Photography: Patrick Love Supplement Design/Layout: Martha J. Henderson, Special Sections Editor Copy Editor: John Krahnert III, Sports Editor Contributing Writers: Norma Stilwell, Andrew Soboiero and John Krahnert III Contributing Photographers: Patrick Love and Hannah Sharpe

PATRICK LOVE/The Pilot

Girls competing in the 2010 U.S. Kids Golf Championship practice at Longleaf. possible to use additional area golf courses, including Longleaf CC, Talamore Golf Resort, Mid Pines Inn and Golf Course, Little River CC, Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Course, Midland CC and Southern Pines Golf Course. “We appreciate the area clubs and their members and volunteers stepping up to make this event possible,” they added. “This is a large undertaking, and we couldn’t do it

without people at each site who keep the tournament running smoothly.” The opening ceremonies parade, which is open to the public, will be held in the village of Pinehurst on Tuesday, August 2, at 7 pm. The players will proudly carry their country’s flag as they all gather in the heart of the village, with a special parade appearance by the 82nd Airborne Band.

Special thanks to Norma and Peter Stilwell, Caleb Miles, the Convention & Visitors Bureau of the Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Aberdeen area, and Patrick Coughlin. For advertising information, contact Pat Taylor at (910) 693-2505 or email advertise@thepilot.com

145 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387 (910) 692-7271 • thepilot.com


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THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.

U.S. Kids Golf’s Goal Is to Promote and Expand the Game U.S. Kids Golf LLC is based in Atlanta, and manufactures equipment and related golf products made especially for kids. In addition to more than 4,000 golf shops and retail locations in the U.S., the company’s products also are available in over 75 countries worldwide. The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, a Georgia nonprofit recognized as a 501(c)(3) charity, was created in 2001 and provides services that include competition and instruction. The Foundation organizes more than 500 golf tournaments for kids each year, including Local Tours in more than 40 cities, 10 Qualifiers across the nation, six Regional Championships, a European Championship and the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship and Teen World Championship, which are held each year in Pinehurst. In partnership with the PGA of America, the Foundation also supports the U.S. Kids Golf Family Course program, which provides guidelines that help courses make the game easier to learn and more fun for kids and their families. For more information, call (888) 387-5437 or visit www.uskidsgolf.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

U.S. Kids Golf World Championship Schedule of Events Monday, August 1 World Championship Parent/Child Tournament 9 a.m. • Shotgun Pinehurst No. 1 and Pinehurst No. 8 Tuesday, August 2 Registration 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Pinehurst Clubhouse, St. Andrews Room U.S. Kids Golf Club Fitting and Demo Day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Pinehurst Resort Driving Range Opening Ceremony Parade 7 p.m. • Pinehurst Village Wednesday, August 3 Practice Round • 7:30 a.m. Please schedule practice rounds directly with the facility. Registration 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Pinehurst Clubhouse,

St. Andrews Room U.S. Kids Golf Club Fitting & Demo Day 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Pinehurst Resort Driving Range Thursday, August 4 Round One Tee times begin at 7 a.m. Friday, August 5 Round Two Tee times begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, August 6 Round Three Tee times begin at 7 a.m. Closing Ceremony 8:30 p.m. Pinecrest High School Auditorium Sunday, August 7 U.S. Kids Golf World Cup 7:30 a.m. • Pinehurst No. 2


SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.

PAGE 7

Area’s Economy Benefits From Kids Championship BY ANDREW SOBOEIRO Newsroom Intern

The annual U.S. Kids Golf World and Teen World Championships will be held in Moore County from July 27-Aug. 7 and once again will make a big economic impact on the area. One of the world’s largest amateur golf tournaments — and the largest championship for kids — it will bring more than 7,000 visitors from 46 states and 26 countries. This will provide a strong revenue stream to the county’s businesses, which see this event as an important economic opportunity. In last year’s tournament, more than $4.2 million was spent in Moore County alone, generating $6.2 million in total economic growth. County officials and business leaders are hoping for similar results this year. “Like any tournament coming to town, it’s critical to our business,” said Patrick Coughlin, president and CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce. “The Championship brings thousands of people to our county; housing, feeding and entertaining those people is an essential function for our small businesses.” At the forefront of promoting this event is the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area

PATRICK LOVE/The Pilot

Father and daughter walk hand-in-hand to the first tee at Longleaf during last year’s U.S. Kids World Championship. Convention and Visitors Bureau. The CVB is, according to its president and CEO, Caleb Miles, “the official Destination Marketing Organization, or DMO, for Moore County.” There are more than 5,000 people

employed in tourism here, so it’s very important to economic development. The CVB helps to facilitate all major tourist draws for both amateur and professional events. The U.S. Kids Golf World Championship is the “largest in terms of amateur events,” and is thus a top concern for the Bureau. “What’s interesting about this is you have people from all over the world,” said Miles, “and the farther away they’re from, the longer they stay and the more they spend.” This is reflected by the data; according to a 2010 study, the average four-person Championship tourist party spends $2,700 on its trip, nearly three times the average amount spent on leisure trips in the United States. Much of this event’s tourists come from far away; more than half have to fly to reach the county. Many of them come from Latin America or Europe, and some from as far away as China. It makes sense that those in attendance would want to prolong their trips as long as possible; the average stay is 6.1 days. 2011 is the sixth consecutive year that Moore County has hosted the Championship. The event is so popular because it spreads wealth

throughout the county’s industries. The largest portion of the revenue, often over a million dollars, goes to housing, where it is split among hotels, resorts and condominiums. Additional hundreds of thousands are spent on food, beverages and retail. As these tourists have come to play golf, they pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into the county’s golf courses as well, playing practice rounds on local courses throughout the tournament. The U.S. Kids Golf World Championship is the largest of a number of amateur sports tournaments that grace the county each year. Together with the Dixie World Series baseball tournament and the NC Tennis Tournament, the Championship provides what Patrick Coughlin calls “a continuous economic driver for our community.” Professional tournaments bring more money, but their location is more hotly contested, and Moore County cannot host them as frequently. On a year-to-year basis, it is clear that amateur tournaments, and the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in particular, are vital to the county’s economy. Andrew Soboeiro is a newsroom intern with The Pilot this summer.


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THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.

AJ Beechler, of Pinehurst, tees off on the first hole at Little River on the final day of the 2010 U.S. Kids World Championship.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

PATRICK LOVE/The Pilot


SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.

PAGE 9

The Natural U.S. Kids Golf Is Normal Part of AJ Beechler’s Life BY NORMA STILWELL Special to The Pilot

Golfing families like Doug, Lynne and AJ Beechler are everywhere — a parent has a golf career, the child is around a golf facility all the time, the child starts playing the game — and the rest is history. But as AJ prepares for his seventh U.S. Kids Golf World Championship at the tender age of 11, it is apparent that their lives don’t revolve around the typical “golf family” routine. Originally from New Jersey, Lynne, a biology teacher at Pinecrest High School in Southern Pines, and Doug were unanimous in their decision to move to Pinehurst after visiting the Sandhills in 2006 while AJ played in the first World Championship held in the area. But it took two years to finally arrive in the friendlier climates where golf could be played more than six months a year. “There was no argument from AJ,” recalled Doug Beechler, himself a player who holds the

distinction as the youngest person to qualify for a PGA event. “We all fell in love with the area, and AJ really didn’t want to leave after that first U.S. Kids Golf event. He’s a fan of golf history, Payne Stewart (1999 U.S. Open Champion) is one of his favorite players, and we could play golf here nearly year-round.” During those cold winters in New Jersey, this family developed some pretty entertaining ways of keeping BEECHLER the swing sharp, which ultimately helped make the game fun for AJ. There was the kid’s toy car track at their house, except AJ practiced his short game by chipping his ball to the top of the tracks, placed just right so the ball would roll down the tracks and fall into a cup at the bottom. He likes a challenge: He kept trying to hit that cup. There was also the plastic soda bottles

positioned in safe places around the house that AJ could knock down with plastic golf balls. All of that atypical work in confined spaces has given AJ tremendous confidence in his chipping and putting. And it was a fun way for a kid to not be pushed into “practicing” as he developed pinpoint accuracy. He’s also taught himself to read the greens and line up his own putts, which he admits is still a work in progress, even though he’s certainly comfortable doing it. “When I’m about 100 yards out, I find that four to five foot circle around the hole and try to hit within that circle,” he laughed. “Usually it works. And I don’t know how to ‘plumb bob’ when I read the putts, and if I’m not happy with the putt, I’ll just try something different.” The family has made many good friends, including the tournament staff, during the Pinehurst events; they bring a football and the kids all play and wind down after their rounds. Doug Beechler also enjoys caddying for AJ in

the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, which he sees as a bonus both for him and his family. “I pretty much keep my mouth shut because he makes his own club choices,” smiled the father. “When AJ makes up his mind to go with a certain club, he goes with it.” And it has seemingly worked well for AJ, who was invited to play in his first U.S. Kids Golf Boys 6-year-old division event when he was 5 and has placed in the top five in his age division for the last five years in Pinehurst. This fun-loving boy has quite an enviable golf resume for such a young age, including a first-place finish in the inaugural U.S. Kids Golf European Championship in 2008. His leisurely pursuits of fishing, basketball and bowling will be put on hold while he honors his invitation to play on his third Tiger Woods National Junior Golf Team, a spot earned for golf skills, grades, citizenship and community

see NATURAL, page 10


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SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

Natural From Page 9

service. “It’s fun playing in the Tiger Woods event,” the rising 6th-grader said impishly, “because my ball goes farther since it’s hot and dry in the desert!” Community service, like AJ’s abilities, has been a natural part of this golf family for many years. Relatives and friends in New Jersey began “Operation Footsteps,” a charity which collects shoes and sneakers for kids in Africa who don’t have shoes of their own, and AJ has communicated his understanding of the needs of others to the Pinehurst Elementary School student body, as he collected more than 1,000 pairs of shoes for the charity. AJ also joined mother Lynne when she volunteered to help with “Stop Hunger Now,” a group at Sandhills Community College who helped pack 75,000 bags of dry food to send to Haiti. There is a genuine sense that the Beechlers enjoy life and golf but appreciate its balance by giving back to help others. At the same time, there is a parent’s sincere recognition to “let a kid be a kid,” even when this “kid,” who has yet to hit a growth spurt, is making a name for himself on the junior golf circuit and certainly is someone to watch during the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in August.

CONTRIBUTED

AJ Beechler is making a name for himself on the junior golf circuit. Don’t forget to check the list of 2014 U.S. Open players on Pinehurst No.2; AJ hopes to be one of the youngest to ever qualify for that event on his home course … things like that run in his family!


SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

Notable Players Many players in the U.S. Kids Golf World and Teen World Championships have interesting stories. Here are a few: Ten-year-old Grace Chen, of Sunnyvale, Calif., is returning to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship after finishing in the Top 5 of 2010 Girls 9 Division. The remarkable young lady was introduced to golf while healing from childhood leukemia (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia), and with help from her family, Grace has started a charity, Birdie For ALL, which has donated money to the Stanford University Children’s Hospital. In her fourth trip to the World Championship, she will again have local Longleaf member Gary Carroll on her bag, following their successful time as player and caddy in the 2010 event. Cade Puryear just competed in one of his most meaningful golf tournaments before leaving his Athens, Tenn., home for Pinehurst as he played in a fundraiser to honor the memory of

THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. his younger brother, Cole. Just six months after both boys played in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in 2009, Cole, then six, suffered a rare, but fatal childhood stroke, and Cade, now 11, his family and community immersed themselves into turning this shocking tragedy into a moving tribute to the young boy, who was his brother’s best friend. Cade is now an integral part of “Cole’s Christmas” at their elementary school, an annual event that provides toys and games for hundreds of needy families. Following their church’s mission trip to Jamaica, a decision was made to pay further tribute to Cole by building an orphanage for 20 deserving Jamaican children through the funds raised during the golf tournament. The New Zealand flag flies proudly in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship Parade of Nations because 10-year-old Jack Green has boldly blazed its trail on the that country’s golf courses. Up until several years ago, the 10year-old had been a “child without a golf course” around the Auckland area; he was either denied access or asked to leave the driving ranges and the courses — not because he lacked skills, but because the perception of children on golf courses was not permitted. But since Jack was determined to change minds and play golf, his mom helped Jack start his own junior academy and tournaments so kids ages 4-13 would have an outlet for playing golf.

Another local player, Griffin Cryan, a rising freshman at Pinecrest High School, played for the third time in the World Championship and found it very special that his dad Stephen caddied for him. Family members from Charlotte and New York were here to cheer Griffin on in the Teen Championship and help fill the void that is always present when Griffin thinks of the mom he lost to cancer several years ago. Stephen said Nina Cryan would have been part of her 14year-old son’s caddy team, they have no doubt, but she will always be a part of him on the golf course and in his life. Hailey Crider has been playing golf since she was 10 years old and now has completed

PAGE 11 her third World Championship. She took notice of golf by watching it on TV, received instruction from local pros, and now the captain of the Pinecrest Lady Patriot golf team has her sights set on playing college golf following high school graduation. She teamed up with her uncle Tim Bott, of Charleston, who for the third time was her caddy. Crider recalled her first qualifying event for U.S. Kids Golf five years ago when she was only 11. “I went in very innocent,” she laughed, “but that qualifier was only the second time in my life that I had played a full 18 holes of golf! And I qualified. We had so much fun.”


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THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

Black Is Recipient of 2011 Peggy Kirk Bell Award

CONTRIBUTED

Creating a girls’ game night to raise money for charity helped Taylor Black (pictured with her dad, Dr. Alex BeDell) receive the 2011 Peggy Kirk Bell Award.

Twelve-year-old Taylor Black began the new year with a goal of finding something fun to do while raising awareness among her friends as well as extra funds for a variety of charities. A self-proclaimed “mother hen,” Black loves helping others and borrowed a page from the professional golfers who are involved in charity work. And so it was that G.G.N.C. was born — Girls Game Night for Charity! Her idea of playing board games once a month with her friends, who make a small donation to play, has helped several charities in the rural west central Missouri city of Warrensburg, and in doing so, it has given her and her friends a new reason for fun and a better understanding of the rewards of helping others. Each winner of G.G.N.C. is allowed to pick the charity of her choice, and all of the donated funds go to that charity. With hundreds of dollars raised thus far, Taylor’s goal of contributing thousands by the end of the year is gratifying — and necessary. “I found that my community doesn’t have many volunteer opportunities for

kids my age,” she said, “so I had to get Championship to have Mrs. Bell to creative.” recognize our winners,” said Van Horn. Taylor has been active in girls’ junior “Her lifelong effort to celebrate the game golf since receiving her first club in 2007 of golf is an inspiration for all of us, and and knows the importance of being an she is an icon for women’s golf in outstanding role model for America.” her peers, including making Taylor has also singled out others aware of both local another golf icon, Tom and national charities that Watson, as one of her need everyone’s help. She is biggest influences outside of also a conflict mediator at her her family. school. While listening to Watson And the creative difference speak at a 2010 kids' golf that Taylor is making in her clinic about how he became community, by calling attenmore aware and dedicated tion to various needs in an to finding cures for diseases Tom Watson innovative way, has led this after the death of his longyoung golfer to be named as time caddie, Black was the fifth annual 2011 Peggy captivated by a very Kirk Bell Award recipient, important comment from the given each year at the U.S. Kids Golf Hall of Famer: “Character is how you act World Championship in Pinehurst. when no one is watching.” The presentation of the award, named Clearly, she has taken that to heart. after the woman many consider to be the One of her G.G.N.C. events was founder and catalyst for women’s golf in dedicated to raising funds for a local America, is always a special moment for family to help with gas money as they Dan Van Horn, founder of U.S. Kids Golf. see BLACK, page 13 “It is such a privilege for the World

“Character is how you act when no one is watching.”

Open 7 Days a Week

Welcome To All US Kids Open Players and Their Families No. 2 Market Square • Pinehurst, NC

www.duganspub.net

910•295•3400 • Reservations accepted.


SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

Black

PAGE 13

the goal of developing the Taylor Black Golf Foundation, a step that Taylor is determined to take as she works toward her goal of becomFrom Page 12 ing an LPGA golfer. While the young lady is playing board games with her friends for charity, she has drove their young daughter on lengthy car also maintained great grades and volunteers trips for cancer treatments. Those designated at her dad’s chiro“game night” donapractic clinic. She tions were double has played a full that of previous summer schedule of events. junior events “We are proud to following a strong announce Taylor 2nd place finish in Black as the winner the Girls 12-yearof this year’s Peggy old division at the Kirk Bell Award,” Port St. Lucie (Fla.) said Van Horn. U.S. Kids Golf PGA “While we had a Invitational last fall. number of Taylor’s award outstanding presentation will candidates for this take place during year’s award, Taylor the closing has demonstrated ceremonies on an extraordinary Saturday, August 6. attitude toward Other nominees giving back to her were Grace Chen community, and (Girls 10) from we’re excited to see Sunnyvale, Calif.; how she continues CONTRIBUTED Jack Green (Boys to do so in the Taylor Black on the links 10) from Auckland, future.” The desire to give back to all girls who need New Zealand; and Cade Puryear (Boys 11) from Athens, Tenn. help as they begin to play golf has inspired


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THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

A Look at the Nine Area Courses

When you come to play at the “Home of American Golf,” there’s a course for everybody to play. Nine area courses will host the competitors in the 2011 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship this year. Below is a list of the courses that will be participating, along with some information participants, their families and spectators might want to know. The age group placed on the course is reflective of playability for that particular age group and how it will set up for the yardage that age group plays. Note that each course will play shorter than its normal length.

Pinehurst No. 3

Girls 12 Yardage: 5,400. Holes: 18. Designed by Donald Ross in 1910, Pinehurst No. 3 is a rolling, short course that will test the game of any golfer. Renovated greens put more of a premium on putting accuracy. “I just don’t think people understand how good those holes are,” said Ben Crenshaw of the

course. “They’re filled with interest. They’re shorter, but there’s plenty of character to them.”

Pinehurst No. 4 Boys 12 Yardage: 6,000. Holes: 18. Designed in 1919 by Donald Ross and redesigned by Tom Fazio in 2000, this course offers a championship challenge to those who dare, including more than 140 pot bunkers. The course also offers some of the most picturesque scenes in Pinehurst, including the 13th and 14th water holes.

Pinehurst No. 8 Boys 9 Yardage: 4,800. Holes: 18. Designed by Tom Fazio, No. 8 opened in 1996 to commemorate Pinehurst’s centennial year. Fazio incorporated signature Donald Ross features into the design, including dips and swales around the greens, sloping greens and false fronts. The greens and tees are close together, making it a pleasure to walk.

Talamore Boys 11 Yardage: 5,600. Holes: 18. Designed by Rees Jones, Talamore has been considered one of the country’s finest courses since opening in 1991. Position and strategy are at a premium on this course, as Jones said, “What I’m trying to do is require thinking.”

Mid Pines Golf Club Boys 7 Yardage: 1,700. Holes: 9 (Front). Boys 8 Yardage: 2,100. Holes: 9 (Back). A course many have characterized as “pure Donald Ross,” Mid Pines was designed by Ross in 1921 and still boasts the same layout as it did when it opened. It utilizes the land it was built on to create a fun yet challenging test for any golfer. The course has hosted numerous tournaments and championships, including the 2002 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur.

Midland Country Club

Girls 7 and under Yardage: 1,500. Holes: 9. Boys 6 Yardage: 1,300. Holes: 9. Designed by Tom Jackson, the nine-hole course opened in 1977 and caters to seniors, women and juniors as well as experienced players. It is a challenging yet enjoyable and friendly layout that will leave golfers wanting more.

Little River Golf Club Boys 10 Yardage: 5,200. Holes: 18. Designed by Dan Maples, Little River opened in 1996. The ofthonored course is sculptured from 450 acres of rolling hills and features nearly 200 feet in elevation and changes. It is sure to test even the most skilled golfer.

Longleaf Golf Club Girls 8 Yardage: 1,800. Holes: 9 (Front). Girls 9 Yardage: 2,100. Holes: 9 (Back). Girls 10

Yardage: 4,600. Holes: 18. Designed by Dan Maples and opened in 1988, Longleaf has been called “the most playable course in the Sandhills.” The course features two distinct layouts. The front nine is more of a links-style layout, featuring many of the horse track’s original features — white fences, rail posts and hedgerows. The back nine, in contrast, is heavily tree-lined with dramatic elevation changes.

Southern Pines Golf Club Girls 11 Yardage: 5,000. Holes: 18. Named to Golfweek’s Best Courses You Can Play in 2010, this classic Donald Ross design has been called “a true shotmaker’s golf course,” giving players options. While not as long as many of today’s courses, this rewarding track offers a variety of shots from the tee and even more challenges into the greens. It is a throwback to days gone by, where bump and run shots were the norm and tee shots demanded precision over length.


The US Kids Golf Foundation would like to thank the community of

Pinehurst and the volunteers for

welcoming the players, their families and friends from across the world.

Teen World Championship July 28-30 Teen World Cup Sunday, July 31, Pinehurst No. 2

World Championship August 4-6

World Cup Sunday,August 7, Pinehurst No. 2

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation hosts the World Championship at Pinehurst and operates as a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization. The Foundation was created in 2001 with the vision of providing kids and their families to participate in the game of golf through instruction and competition.Today, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation conducts over 400 local, regional, national, and international events.


RELAX YOUR GRIP. You know what the golf pros say: You’ll get better results if you loosen up. Good advice off the course, too, which is why we suggest you consider a few days in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of North Carolina to reconnect with your spouse, your family and your inner self. Our charming resorts and spas will take you a world away from your day-to-day stress. Our unique shops, potteries and galleries will offer a little retail therapy for those in need. And then, of course, there are our famous championship golf courses to simultaneously calm the mind and reinvigorate the spirit. We’ll return you to your life with a relaxed outlook and a new grip on your priorities.

LET GO. LOOSEN UP AT THE HOME OF AMERICAN GOLF®. VISIT WWW.HOMEOFGOLF.COM TO PLAN YOUR STAY.


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