Spring Break 06; North Carolina

[David Neveux]

A couple buddies and I are taking a trip to the Southern Pines area in early March.  We are currently planning to play Southern Pines, Mid-Pines, Pine Needles, and Tobacco Road.  I was wondering if anyone could offer any insight into the conditions of these courses at this time of the year.  What should I expect in regards to weather, green speed, pace of play, dormant grass, etc?  I was also wondering if anyone could reccomend any places to eat?  What are the local watering holes a couple of single college guys would enjoy?  Thanks for the help, D.P.N.

[Brian_Sleeman]

Pine Crest Inn if you're into a nice dinner.  There's also the usual Outback-type stuff around there.

Dugan's is the pub.

There are some locals on here who are the ones to really pay attention to, I'm sure they'll respond.

[Brad Tufts]

David,

I spent four straight spring breaks in Pinehurst from 02-05 (the last two as an alum, trouble letting this trip go).  I was there with my college golf team (Middlebury) and we had a blast.  My Top 10 recommendations on things not to miss:

1.  Breakfast at the Pine Crest (melon waiting for you, endless sticky buns) or Holly Inn

2.  Dinner at the Pine Crest (could be the best meal in town, and affordable)

3.  Singalong with Clarence at the Pine Crest piano bar (sounds hokey, but after 4 or 5 beers you will be singing)

4.  Waitress Jen at the Pine Crest (blonde, she's solid, believe me), and wait till you hear the southern-belle drawl...

5.  Spend an hour or two one evening with a cigar (optional) and a couple of pitchers behind the 18th green of #2.  Even if you arent playing it, you can hang out with the statues, talk about Payne's putt (and see the pin position if on Sunday), and clap if anyone can hold the green in reg.

6.  Putt on the huge green outside the Pinehurst main clubhouse.  Lipped out a 250-footer there last year.

7.  Check out the tropies and memorbilia in the clubhouse.

8.  The golf antique shop next to Dugan's, there's some great stuff in there.

9.  Dugan's - nice Irish pub with good post-round or pre-night wings

10. Knollwood Fairways - a huge grass driving range of the perfect quality and price to get the kinks out after winter and a plane/car ride.

You have picked four good courses, and any extra rounds can be had at some of the cheaper courses in the area that still have some pretty good qualities.  (Little River, Hyland Hills, Talamore, Carolina, Woodlake)  My spring break was always at the end of March, but I assume the courses are in close to the same condition.  None of them will be firm/fast, and Southern Pines will have the tan dormant rough and green fairway look.

-Brad

[Andy Hughes]

David, for college-age guys looking for a 'watering hole', Dugan's is easily your best bet, though I don't know the Gold Club that Brian mentioned.
The other places mentioned are all very nice, but not exactly what I would have been looking for when I was 21 on a Friday night. Feel free to read between any lines.

Also, take Brian up on his IM offer--he knows of what he speaks re NC golf and he can definitely point you in the right directions.
Make sure you get a second round on Tobacco Road if you have never been there. It needs it.

[David Neveux]

Thank you to all for the great advice!!  Mr. Gracely I will be sure to drop you a line as we get closer to departure.  There are only three of us scheduled to play if anyone is looking for a game March 5th - 7th.  

[Rob_Waldron]

David

The Duke and UNC campuses are only about an hour and fifteen minutes away. Play early one day, make the short trip north, if you get lucky your accomodations will fall into place and you can play late the next day!

Do not expect to find any talent in Pinehurst. The Gold Club does offer some eye candy...but do not touch!

If you stay at the Pinecrest all meals are included.....and the food is excellent! Dugans is about two blocks away and has the best pour of Guinness in the area. Have fun!

BTW The weather is very questionable at that time of year. Bring your rain and cold weather gear. I moved my annual March trip from Pinehurst to World Woods in Florida in order to find more predictable good weather.

[David Neveux]

Rob,

We are traveling to the Duke / UNC area for the following two nights after we leave Southern Pines.  We plan to play Duke's golf course as well as The Heritage.  We are making late tee times to ensure maximum recovery before the round!  Tell me more about "The Gold Club," sounds very interesting and now that you mentioned it a must see.  

[Jason Mandel]

David,

Make sure to hit up Franklin Street in Chapel Hill.  Unlike the basketball teams this year, the talent is MUCH better in Chapel Hill

Jason

[Rob_Waldron]

A little twist on the Las Vegas advertising campaign. What happens in the Sandhills stays in the Sandhills! Do not forget the Finley course at UNC. I am not familiar with Heritage.

[Chris Pike]

DEFINITELY schedule that 2nd round at Tobacco Road.  It plays like a whole different course once you've already seen it.  Also, you'll probably find that it's the best conditioned course in the area at the beginning of March (at least it was when I was there a few years back).

[Andrew Cunningham]

Just got back from Pinehurst.  Pine Needles was in great shape.  Really enjoyed the restoration.  Greens were great.  Everything was overseeded except the trim around the bunkers.  Very visually appealing.  See photos.  Tobacco Road was as good as described by everyone on here.  Maybe better.  Again, overseeded.  Overall condition was a little rough in spots but for me that just added to the Tobacco Road experience.  Quirky but never to a fault.  Yardages were very tough to judge.  The pins can be very deceiving.  Skip Duke and play here again.  

Dugan's was a good pub.  On the night we were there the Pine Crest, while charming, seemed to be catering to an older crowd.  Much older.  The piano player was good but....well I don't want to offend anybody so let's just say that if you're under 40 Dugan's might just be a better hangout.

[Andy Hughes]

Dugan's was a good pub.  On the night we were there the Pine Crest, while charming, seemed to be catering to an older crowd.  Much older.  The piano player was good but....well I don't want to offend anybody so let's just say that if you're under 40 Dugan's might just be a better hangout.

Well, this is what I was trying to say, politely, but you said it better Andrew!  

That gap in front of the 13th green at TR gets smaller and smaller every time I see it!

[Andrew Cunningham]

Definetly a foursome in my case.  BTW, has anyone else taken advantage of the screaming clearance the proshop at Pinehurst is having on US Open merchandise.  I spent over $300 on shirts, hats, etc. that last year would have cost me over $1000!  Hats two for $10.  All everything 75% off - US Open merchandise only.  Check it out if you're in the area.

[David Neveux]

Andrew

  Thanks for the preview, I honestly wish I was leaving this friday.  The word that comes to mind after looking at the TR shots is "RAW."  Please post more pictures!!!

Chris
 
  I contacted TR yesterday and found out that the replay play is only $30 so needless to say we will be DEFINITELY playing 36 holes.  

[Brent Hutto]

David,

Just be sure to get an early tee time if you're doing 36. Pace of play at Tobacco Road tends to be very slow.

[David Neveux]

Brent

  Thanks for the tip, I generally like to try and be the first group off if I'm playing in the morning.  


Can anyone tell me approx what time it gets dark down there?  What is generally the last tee time available to get all 18 in.  

[Sean_A]

All these GCA'ers that come through town and never give me a call to play Tobacco Road....(except Rob Waldron, for whom I always seem to have a conflict)

....I must really be a prick, or everyone already has foursomes  

Be fair Brian.  I tried to get you out the last time I was in Carolina.  You were a no go.  Perhaps I am the prick.

Ciao

Sean

[Mike Benham]

All these GCA'ers that come through town and never give me a call to play Tobacco Road....(except Rob Waldron, for whom I always seem to have a conflict)

....I must really be a prick, or everyone already has foursomes  

Somehow you weaseled your way into this group ...

[Chris Pike]

All these GCA'ers that come through town and never give me a call to play Tobacco Road....(except Rob Waldron, for whom I always seem to have a conflict)

....I must really be a prick, or everyone already has foursomes  

Gracely...Everyone must be afraid that you're gonna ruin their first visit to TR by telling them where to hit the ball on the blind shots .  

David...I forgot about that nice replay rate.  I think we got in 16 holes on the second loop.  I didn't really mind, except that I REALLY wanted to hit that tee shot on 18 again.  Just in case you haven't already seen it, there's a nice hole-by-hole of TR here:

Tobacco Road Tour    

[Scott_Burroughs]

All these GCA'ers that come through town and never give me a call to play Tobacco Road....(except Rob Waldron, for whom I always seem to have a conflict)

....I must really be a prick, or everyone already has foursomes  

Somehow you weaseled your way into this group ...

He also weaseled his way into several of these pics with a
visiting GCAer on his first trip 'round the 'Road early last year (man, my ass is ugly  ):

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=17425;start=msg318978#msg318978

and

http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=17425;start=msg307413#msg307413