Carolina Living - Pinehurst

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Fun time! Play golf with your buddies at the club. All kinds of “families” enjoy life in the Sandhills of Moore County – the more to play with!
Photo courtesy of Pinehurst Resort

Southern Pines, North Carolina: Golf, Tennis & Horse Country near Pinehurst

outhern Pines, along with the nearby towns of Pinehurst & Aberdeen, is home to 43 of the finest North Carolina golf courses, all within a 15-mile radius.

As one drives the 90 miles northeast into the area from Charlotte, you find mile after mile of golf courses and communities. It’s a golfer’s dream come true, but there’s much more to the area than hitting that elusive little ball.

With tall pine tree clusters lining the main road, you arrive at the downtown area of Southern Pines with the Amtrak station in the heart of the town. The city of 12,000 has enhanced the train station with a welcome center and landscaping. The downtown area includes an assortment of specialized shops, a functioning theater and casual to fine dining.

he climate is moderate so those who have moved here from the north find three seasons in which to enjoy golf, tennis, horseback riding, and even summer softball leagues. The economy is well balanced with tourism and retirement leading the way. Both the U.S. Men's & Women’s Open will be played in Pinehurst in June 2014. Carolina Horse Park in nearby Raeford features major regional and national equestrian events. The Youngs Road area is lined with some of the finest horse farms stretching for seven miles. Nearby Ft. Bragg & Pope Air Force Base combine to form one of the world's largest military complexes. Ft. Bragg is the largest Army base east of the Mississippi and is open to the public. The base features special museums that are fascinating to military enthusiasts. Pottery is also a significant industry in the area, with the largest community of potters in the Seagrove area, 40 miles from Southern Pines. Golf resorts are all close to Southern Pines, with Pinehurst Resort being a favorite destination for more than 100 years. It was the site of the 2005 U.S Open Championship and the 2008 Amateur Championship. Related Reading The 50 Best Small Southern Towns, by Gerald Sweitzer and Kathy Fields Pinehurst, NC