| |
History of PinehurstA Brief History of The Village of Pinehurst
After searching for an area in the mid-south to develop a resort that provided fresh air and a healthy environment, Boston philanthropist James Walker Tufts made what some called a foolish purchase in 1895. He acquired a total of 5,000 ravaged barren acres for approximately $1.00 an acre --- the mighty pines had been harvested for timber, turpentine and tar in the Sandhills. Tufts drove a stake marking the center of what was to become the Village of Pinehurst, a name chosen from a contest list.
Pinehurst was originally founded as a health resort. Fresh milk, eggs and other dairy products came from the Tufts' own dairy. Water from artesian wells was felt to have healing powers. Fresh vegetables came from Tufts' nursery and fruits from outlying orchards. The many evergreens were claimed to purify the air by ingesting carbon dioxide and giving off the by-product oxygen.
Mr. Tufts was attracted to this area for another reason: the main North-South Railroad route from Maine to Florida ran right through the heart of the Sandhills which could serve as the main mode of transportation to bring the northern visitors that would become the market that Mr. Tufts would attempt to attract.
Frederick Law Olmsted, of Central Park fame, was engaged to create a New England village and landscape on this seemingly worthless land. More than a quarter of a million trees, plants and shrubs were planted in the first two years. Warren Manning, an associate of Olmsted, supervised the work. In 1901, the Carolina (Pinehurst) Hotel opened with recreation and lavish accommodations as the premier features. Roque was the first Pinehurst sport.
Golf entered the Pinehurst picture after a disgruntled dairyman approached Mr.Tufts to complain of hotel guests who were intruding his pastures with waist-high clubs to stroke little while balls. Mr. Tufts investigated the sport, found someone who could assist him with construction and, at the edge of his village, built nine holes of golf in 1897. The second nine holes opened in 1899. Little did he know that this was the beginning of a long tradition for Pinehurst.
Donald Ross was commissioned to further develop the game of golf at Pinehurst. Ross learned his golf in Scotland and, over the next five decades in the U.S.,The Scot became the leading authority of golf course architecture ... and no wonder, since he designed over 300 courses. Ross directed Pinehurst golf operations, but more importantly built the world famous, award-winning #2 as well as courses #3 and #4. Ross remained in Pinehurst until his death in 1948.
The best golfers in the world have played Pinehurst. But golf was not always the way of life for everyone. The legendary sharpshooter, Annie Oakley, came to Pinehurst in 1916 with her husband, Frank Butler. The great Miss Oakley gave shooting exhibitions and taught at the Pinehurst Gun Club where more than 15,000 men and women learned marksmanship from the star of the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. Oakley also enjoyed riding and hunting in the nearby countryside, which was an activity that rivaled golf in popularity.
In 1971, Pinehurst was sold to Diamondhead Corporation, a land development company headquartered in a Mountainside, New Jersey and owned by Malcolm McLean, a North Carolinian who had developed McLean Trucking Company. The venerable old resort which had seen virtually no noticeable changes in its 75 years before its sale became the center of controversy. Finally, in 1982, Pinehurst became the property of Diamondhead's major lenders, who formed a NC corporation called Resort Assets Corporation. With their takeover, a more viable effort was then made to work in concert with Pinehurst village officials to restore the overall community.
In 1984 Pinehurst was purchased by Club Corporation of America, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. C.C.A. acquired the Pinehurst Hotel, Country Club and golf courses. C.C.A. With more than 30 years experience encompassing over 200 private clubs and resorts, has restored the early charm and tradition that was uniquely Pinehurst. Pinehurst Resorts has hosted the year end PGA Tour Tournament twice, the USGA Seniors, The Club Pro 1996 and The 1999 U. S. Open. Pinehurst has been chosen to host The 2005 U.S. Open and 2007 U.S. Amateur.
Click for Visual Tour of Pinehurst Resort
| |
|
