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On this Day Trip we journey to history, beauty and solitude… the very beautiful and charming Pinehurst.
Head west on NC 211 until you intersect with Route 1 in Southern Pines. Then, go a few hundred feet to Route 5 and make a left to Pinehurst. The entire trip will take approximately 21⁄2 hours and will be one of the most enjoyable trips you will make. You’ll pass farms, farm stands and beautiful wooded and open scenery.
Gas is a bit cheaper in Soutport than Pinehurst, so start out with a full tank. The route is well marked, but pay attention since 211 makes a few tricky turns and you may find yourself on the New Jersey Turnpike…and we don’t want that!
I would suggest you start your Day Trip walking around the Pinehurst Resort and
Hotel and later going into the Village of Pinehurst before heading home.
In 1895 the Pinehurst resort was founded by James Walker Tufts on land he purchased for $1/acre. By 1898, guests at his resort liked toying with this new Scottish import called GOLF. Within a short time his dairyman was complaining about the guests hitting little white balls near the cows and frightening them. Mr. Tufts, a shrewd businessman, simply built a fence to protect the cows and built the guests a place to play their game. That was the first golf course at Pinehurst and the resort was forever changed.
Orginally Pinehurst was a nine-hole course and was designed by an amateur,
Dr. D. Leroy Culver. In 1898 Mr. Tufts, being a man ahead of his time, also constructed a clubhouse which included changing rooms for both ladies and gentleman. Very innovative!