Pinehurst is a golfer’s delight

By H.M. Cauley

For the AJC

PINEHURST, N.C. — It’s the age-old getaway dilemma: One wants to golf, the other wants to be pampered. One wants to shop, the other wants a comfy chair and a good book. But both want to do it in beautiful surroundings, sated with delicious meals and with enough activities to keep boredom at bay.

Whether your preference is sports or the spa, shops or relaxing, you can find it all in the elegant surroundings at Pinehurst, the town that golf built in the Sandhills area of North Carolina. There’s even a touch of history as a bonus.

If the charm and appeal of Pinehurst seem planned to the last detail, there’s one man in particular to thank. Atlantans may already know his name: Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who designed Druid Hills and New York’s Central Park, also came up with the layout of Pinehurst, a 2,000-acre resort community where the singular goal is to slow down. If the array of natural beauty in flowering shrubs, plants and trees doesn’t have you tapping the brakes, the 24 mph speed signs will. But one of the best ways to see Pinehurst is by bagging the car and heading out on foot to stroll through its gardens, traipse through the quaint village shopping district and, of course, meander along the famous greens of its renowned golf courses.

Don’t miss

A round of golf. The main reason to visit is to play on one of the resort’s eight courses that are so alluring that golf great Bobby Jones called them the “St. Andrews of United States golf,” referring to the classic course in Scotland. In fact, the earliest course construction at Pine-hurst fell under the supervision of Scotsman Donald Ross, who is revered as one of the founding fathers of golf in the United States. The courses boast a lengthy sporting history and will be the site of the 2014 U.S. Open. That tournament will mark the 10th time the United States Golf Association championship has been staged at Pinehurst.

A la carte rates are $79 to $410 per person, per round.

Recreational activities. In addition to the links, Pinehurst resort has a nine-hole putting green; 18 clay and six hard-surface tennis courts; a pool and outdoor whirlpool; and a 200-acre freshwater lake with a beach club for swimming, boating and fishing. Kayak, paddleboat and canoe rentals, $20 per hour; pontoons, $45 per hour; lakefront cabanas, $35 half-day, $60 full day.

Spa treatment. A recent addition is the Spa, a 31,000-square-foot facility that’s already garnered four stars from Mobil Travel Guide. Guests can indulge in more than 40 services, including a skin-nourishing scrub with peaches and pecans. Those who just want to unwind can purchase a $40 Tranquility Pass that provides a day’s access to the pool, whirlpool, steam room, sauna and relaxations areas.

Bag a bauble. If shopping is your sport, hone your skills at the varied boutiques and stores that line Pinehurst’s village district. Wear comfortable shoes to navigate the brick sidewalks that predominate the colonial architecture and lead to shops packed with clothing, gifts, books, artwork, jewelry and local crafts. Check out the 1810 cabin that contains Sandhills Woman’s Exchange (10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays; 15 Azalea Road, 910-295-4677). The local co-op sells everything from rugs and cookbooks to quilts and pottery. It also serves soups, salads and sandwiches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Make a date with history. Whether you stay there or not, stop by the Carolina Hotel, a grande dame of inns, with wide verandas and white columns. Built in 1901 and listed as a National Historic Landmark, the hotel has a gallery of more than 100 photos that highlight its illustrious past. Guests have included Annie Oakley, Harry Truman, Arnold Palmer, John Philip Sousa and Oprah Winfrey. A $15 million renovation of the guest rooms and public areas wrapped up in April.

If you go

Pinehurst Resort. 80 Carolina Vista Drive, Village of Pinehurst, N.C. 1-800-487-4653, 910-235-8507; www.pinehurst.com.

Where to stay

Carolina Hotel. Built in 1901, this hotel offers modern amenities such as free Internet. Rates start at $179. 80 Carolina Vista Drive.

Holly Inn. Amenities include an outdoor pool and library. Rates start at $169. 155 Cherokee Road.

Manor Inn. Hunting lodge-style property for a casual stay. Rates start at $128. 5 Community Road.

Packages

A variety of packages is available, including the Autumn Escape starting at $359 per person for accommodations, breakfast, dinner and choice of spa treatment or round of golf. www.pinehurst.com

Where to eat

The Carolina Dining Room. Potato-crusted sea bass and veal Oscar are on the menu, which has recently been revamped by new executive chef Thierry Debailleul. Dinner entrees are $26-$52. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. At Carolina Hotel.

The 1895 Grille. Four-diamond restaurant in town with a menu that capitalizes on local ingredients and produce. Serving breakfast and dinner. Dinner entrees are $29-$35. At Holly Inn.

Hackers Bar and Grill. Casual eatery serving burgers, sandwiches and salads. Entrees are $12.95-$28.50. At Manor Inn.

More information

Village of Pinehurst: www
.villageofpinehurst.org