Golf » History & Heritage


Many say that if St. Andrews was the true home of golf, than it lives and breathes at Pinehurst. No other place in America carries a more storied golf past, from Ben Hogan's first professional career win to Payne Stewarts unforgettable putt at the 1999 U.S. Open. Here's where the stories begin to unfold.

  • 1897-1898: Pinehurst's first golf course, a nine-hole, primitive set of links, is laid out by Dr. D. LeRoy Culver, an amateur designer.
  • 1898: When the first Pinehurst clubhouse is completed, it contains dressing rooms for both ladies and gentlemen, reflecting the interest in golf by both sexes.
  • 1900: English pro and world champion Harry Vardon plays an exhibition match on the resort's 18-hole course, bolstering Pinehurst's reputation among a growing number of golf enthusiasts.
  • 1900: Scottish-born golf pro Donald Ross comes to Pinehurst in December for what will be a 48-year stay.
  • 1901: Pinehurst hosts the first North & South Men's Amateur. Future winners would include Francis Ouimet, Frank Stranahan, Harvie Ward, William C. Campbell, Billy Joe Patton, Jack Nicklaus, Curtis Strange, Gary Hallberg, Hal Sutton, Corey Pavin, Davis Love III and Billy Andrade.
  • 1902: The first North and South Open is played in Pinehurst. Golf legends Ben Hogan and Sam Snead are among the winners in its 49-year history, as well as three-time winner Donald Ross.
  • 1903: The Pinehurst Golf Club is formally established. Pinehurst hosts the first North & South Women's Amateur. Future winners would include Glenna Collett, Maureen Orcutt, Estelle Lawson Page, "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias, Peggy Kirk Bell, Alice Dye, Patti Rizzo, Donna Andrews, Brandie Burton and Kelly Robbins.
  • 1907: Donald Ross completes design and construction of Pinehurst No. 2.
  • 1910: Ross completes design of Pinehurst No. 3, a short, members' course carrying traditional Ross features.
  • 1919: Ross designs No. 4.
  • 1936: Pinehurst hosts the PGA Championship on Pinehurst No. 2, after its sand greens are replaced with grass. Danny Shute emerges victorious on the newly renovated course.
  • 1951: Ryder Cup Matches are held on Pinehurst No. 2. The United States defeats Great Britain with a final score of 9½ to 2½. The North and South Open holds its final tournament at Pinehurst.
  • 1961: Ellis Maples constructs Pinehurst No. 5. His father, Frank, worked with Ross for over 40 years.
  • 1962: U.S. Men's Amateur Championship played at Pinehurst. Labron Harris is declared the winner.
  • 1971: Pinehurst No. 2 hosts the PGA Club Professional Championship in the first of a four-year run.
  • 1973: Pinehurst No. 4 is lengthened and surrounded by Robert Trent Jones. This is done to make the course more competitive when, with No. 2, it co-hosts The World Open, a 144-hole tournament that Miller Barber wins. The World Open is played again in Pinehurst in 1974 and 1975.
  • 1979: Tom and George Fazio design Pinehurst No. 6.
  • 1986: Pinehurst No. 7, designed by Rees Jones, opens to rave reviews.
  • 1988: Pinehurst again hosts the PGA Club Professional Championship.
  • 1991 & 1992: Pinehurst hosts the PGA TOUR Championship. Craig Stadler wins the honor in 1991, and Paul Azinger claims the trophy in 1992.
  • 1994: Pinehurst No. 2 serves as the battleground for the U.S. Senior Open Championship. Simon Hobday is victorious.
  • 1995: Pinehurst celebrates its 100th birthday with an array of activities. The Centennial Course - Pinehurst No. 8 - begins construction for Tom Fazio's design.
  • 1997 & 1998: The PGA Club Professional Championship returns to Pinehurst. In 1997, it is contested on Pinehurst No. 8. The tournament is such a huge success that it returns to Pinehurst No. 8 in 1998.
  • 1999: In its 99th year, the Men's U.S. Open is played on the classic fairways and greens of Pinehurst No. 2 with an exciting finish on the 18th green to leave Payne Stewart as the victor.
  • 1999: Tom Fazio completes design of a new No. 4 golf course, keeping only its original routing by Ross.
  • 2000: Pinehurst celebrates the 100th North & South Men's Amateur Championship and past winners, including Davis Love III, Jack Nicklaus, Curtis Strange.
  • 2001: Pinehurst celebrates 50th Anniversary of the North & South Senior Men's Championship and past winners. Pinehurst also anticipates unveiling of Payne Stewart Memorial in the Tufts Garden, near Pinehurst No. 2's 18th green.
  • 2002: Pinehurst celebrates 100th North & South Women's Amateur Championship and the 45th Senior Women's North and South Amateur Championship, and past winners, including Maureen Orcutt, Peggy Kirk.
  • 2002: Pinehurst No. 7 closed for redesign by Rees Jones.
  • 2005: U.S. Open Championship will return to Pinehurst.
  • 2008: U.S. Men's Amateur returns to Pinehurst.