The resort, established in 1895 by Boston business
committee would say: ‘Why not Pinehurst?,’” said Driscoll.
magnate and philanthropist James Walker Tufts, has
“We’re really thrilled about coming to North Carolina and
nine courses alone and is surrounded by dozens of
having such a welcoming partner. The ability to expand the
other acclaimed public and private courses. In 1907,
USGA beyond New Jersey is exciting for us.”
renowned Scottish course designer Donald Ross
A core feature of the deal was the unprecedented
completed the No. 2 course, which has hosted three
commitment to award four U.S. Opens (as well as a number
men’s U.S. Opens, one women’s U.S. Open, and three
of additional events) to Pinehurst extending to the year 2047.
U.S. Amateurs. Pinehurst and the USGA have a long
The $2 billion economic impact of these championships
association; Richard Tufts, the founder’s grandson,
surely was an important factor securing public support for
served as president of the organization in the 1950s and
the initiative. “We wanted to send the message to North
had a major influence on the growth of amateur golf
Carolina very clearly that we were in this for the long haul,”
and the development of the rules.
said Driscoll.
Driscoll noted several other factors that weighed
But Driscoll emphasized that establishing a smaller “Rota”
heavily in the selection of Pinehurst as the USGA’s first
for the U.S. Open, with anchor sites like Pinehurst, also
“anchor site.” The state has become a technology hub
appeals to the players (both men and women). “Where they
with its strong university system; the USGA already had
play their major championship matters to them,” she said.
a working relationship with N.C. State for research on
“And Pinehurst comes up as a consistent theme.” Driscoll said
turf sustainability. North Carolina has more golfers per
that the USGA is studying possible additional anchor sites for
capita than almost any state, an avid volunteer base, and a
its championships, but has made no decisions.
growing corporate base to support championships. Finally,
So if you travel to Pinehurst in 2023 you’ll be able, as always,
the state and local governments were eager to help fund
to stay at the Carolina Hotel, play any of the nine courses at
the project (about $21 million of the estimated initial
the resort, and check out the bronze statue of Payne Stewart
$29 million investment) to capitalize on the long-term
in his iconic pose winning the 1999 U.S. Open. But you’ll also
economic benefits of the deal.
find a new USGA presence, and perhaps take a tour of the
In the end, the decision was easy. “You combine all of those factors and you can see why our executive
museum and the new testing facility. Who knows? You might even run into Iron Byron.
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