Pinehurst, SC

October 8 - 13, 2007

Village of Pinehurst RV Resort

Pinehurst, SC

Arrived in Pinehurst and found a much different atmosphere than what we had just left in Virginia. There must be 20 or so shopping centers in the immediate area along with, of course, about 40 golf courses. Day one was spent washing Barney and washing laundry! We found one of those do-it-yourself pup wash shoppes and did pretty good for our first time if I do say so myself! Then off to the laundromat to wash sheets and towels. The washer-dryer in the motor home rolls everything in a ball and I just can't put wrinkled sheets on my bed!!!

We visited The Villages at Pinehurst where there are 8 golf courses...greens fees run from $125 to $375 (on Pinehurst #2). Since we figured we could play a lot of golf elsewhere for that kind of money, we dressed in our golf clothes (to appear as if we "belonged") and went to the Resort Clubhouse (as opposed to the "Members Clubhouse"), where there was a beautiful restaurant called the 145 hole, two pro shops and a couple of lounges. We walked down the Hall of Champions and walked outside to the statues of Payne Stewart and other Pinehurst golf dignataries. We stood at the first tee of Course #2 and could almost hear the bagpipes and see the pipers come out of the fog as they did in the tribute to Payne after his death. There were three huge manicured practice putting greens which are only used during PGA events. Overall, quite a sight!!

We must have been inspired as the next day we played golf at The Carolina (greens fees of $49/person with coupon) and both played very well (especially me)! However, I did a golf no-no. On the 18th tee I added up my score...91; all I needed was an 8 on the last par 5 to break 100 for only the second time in my "golf career". I had 4 pars and nothing over a 7 all day...piece of cake! The golf gods were listening. I hit a lousy drive, second shot in the fairway bunker, third and fourth shots in another fairway bunker, fifth shot against a tree trunk, sixth shot finally on the green about 15 feet from the hole and, of course, three-putted for a 9 and a final score of 100. Ken, who was golfing fairly well most of the day, also had a bad drive, second shot into the trees, third miraculous shot onto the green and tapped in for a birdie. Some people have all the luck!!

We arrived here on Monday; on Tuesday the temperature was 94 degrees. Wednesday it was in the high 80's; Thursday and Friday it just made 70 degrees. Last night we had to get up to close all the windows and turn on the heat...we were freezing! What a difference a few days make. Word is that it is going to get hot again and there is no prediction of rain. They are suffering from a severe draught here and everyone would welcome a day or two of rain.

By the way, if you would like to see the pictures in a larger version, just click on the picture. When you are finished, simply hit the back button to return to the blog.

We also visited the village center of Pinehurst...very exclusive shops much like other resorts we've visited.

We're taking today to grocery shop and get ready for the next 10 days. We'll be heading to Hoboken, Georgia to play three rounds of golf with the "Swinging Golfers" and then on to Americus for the "Snowbird Golf Rally". By the way, this is fun!!!