I am absolutely shocked by the price of Southern Pines. Played it in September of 2007, only 1.5 years ago, and greens fees were $35-$45. With a business model of ripping off the consumer it is hard to root for their success.
You may have gotten the tail end of summer fees, which are lower. Fees in Pinehurst (and I know John will correct me if I am off) are lowest in December January, followed by probably July/August, and then comes the Feb/November timeframe. I believe September/October is 2nd in line to March/April/May for the most expensive.
Better off this time of year sticking closer to the triangle and avoiding the high-season gouging.
Yeah, those figures are more or less right, but it depends on the course, some do it a little different. Either way, April is in the middle of the peak season and most likely no one down there will cut you any kind of break on the rate.
Sean--If you are looking to play and don't have your heart set on a specific place, just get in touch with some of us around the Raleigh/Durham area. There are many fine places to play, some of them are very reasonable. The Neuse in Clayton is charging $49 for Friday rounds during that time. Thats a real good rate for that course, last time I was there I felt it was in outstanding condition, mostly firm/fast and has some real good elevation changes making for a quality course.
Duke is charging $100, Finley is going for $80, River Ridge gets $52. Beyond those 4 courses, there is nothing else on the public side really worth seeing around Raleigh or Durham. Simper's home course at Mill Creek (Ryan, I hope I remember that correctly) I have never played but have heard it to be a good place. The Champions Course at Bryan Park in Greensboro is getting $59 which is a good deal; they are to host the US Am Publinx next year. Greensboro is not much farther from Raleigh than Tobacco Road in Sanford.
But sticking entirely to the public side of the courses, this is a fairly lean area for top quality public courses.