Pinehurst, NC

Having moved four years ago, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania to Homosassa, Florida, we recently made a life-changing decision to move one more time (and hopefully the final time) to Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Before we explain the logic, or lack of logic behind the Pinehurst decision, one might ask, why in the world would anyone voluntarily move to Homosassa, Florida (a.k.a. “this godforsaken place” …a family quote that will live on in infamy).   Briefly, my parents retired to Homosassa some thirty-five years ago.  I always found Homosassa to be warm, comfortable and affordable ($1.50 Yuengling Lager Wednesdays at “The Shed”) with spectacular waterways and world-class golf.

We had an absolute blast, connecting with long-lost friends (the Mangees), Lancaster-based friends (the Meyers), new friends (the Burtons, Perrys and the Dillinghams) and wonderful neighbors (the Cirillos). We were two-hours away from my brother; John and his wife Jamie and one-hour away from Tropicana Field and our Tampa Bay Rays.

I secured less than meaningful employment at World Woods Golf Club on their Grounds Crew and thoroughly enjoyed my association with my supervisors (Tad, Dave, and Paul) as well as my many colleagues.

In addition, I found an abundance of delightful watering holes, with special mention to Pine Street Pub, The Shed, Grumpy Gators and The Lodge.

Having spent time in Pinehurst on numerous occasions through the years, in the deep dark recesses of my minimalistic mind, I aspired to spend a portion of my personal back-nine in the community; playing golf, watching golf, talking golf and writing about golf. Fortunately, Erin fell absolutely in love with Pinehurst on a recent trip to visit our friends, John and Connie. During our nine-hour drive back home to Homosassa, we discussed the possibilities and surprisingly, decided to pull the trigger.

Pinehurst; “It’s winter climate is sufficiently mild for a very large class of invalids who now go to Florida or Aiken, South Carolina, because they know of no suitable locality nearer…”

Washington Carruthers Kerr (North Carolina State Geologist (1890))

 “There is an old chap up in Boston who I fear has more money than good common sense, and he has a wild scheme in the back of his head that he can make a resort up here in these barren sand wastes. We have just finished extracting the turpentine from a large number of pines on a big acreage and then cut them up for lumber.  There are about ten-thousand acres in all.  I asked him to make me an offer and he suggested it might be worth $1.00 an acre, but I closed the deal by selling it to him for $.75 an acre, totaling $7,500. He gave me a check for $500- to bind the bargain, but I am afraid that I will never see him once he gets home and thinks it over.”

Walter Hines Page to Frank Presbrey regarding James Walker Tufts, the founder/developer of Pinehurst Resort (1895) from “The Legendary Evolution of Pinehurst, Home of American Golf” by Richard Mandell

Why Pinehurst:

• Pinehurst is renowned as the birthplace/cradle of American golf, with over forty courses in a twenty-mile radius. Pinehurst Resort and Country Club owns/operates nine courses including historic Pinehurst #2.
• The Village of Pinehurst is quaint and in close proximity; reminiscent of one of our favorite communities, Lititz, Pennsylvania.
• Highly rated healthcare. Moore Regional Hospital is moments from our home.
• Our friends; John, Connie, and Jane live in the community.
• Maxie’s, Pine Crest Inn, the Tater Barn and Chapman’s have caught our attention…no jackets required!
• Pinehurst Resort and Country Club employ a bunch of old fogeys to assist with transportation, course maintenance and guest services in exchange for $5 rounds of golf.
• Our home is 284 steps from the first tee box of Pinehurst #6.
• We are nine hours closer to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
• When the time comes, Pinehurst will be a comfortable location for my better-half.

We are excited with what’s ahead and look forward to meeting new friends and sharing new experiences!

Thank you for following “Bad Golf Guy”!

The bank nine can only get better!