Sunday, July 31, 2011

U.S. Kids Golfwelcomes

Pinehurst has been grooming champions for decades.

Seven-year-old Jack Lewis sits at the base of the original Putter Boy statue studying the Rules of Golf (c. 1954). Lewis continued his career in golf, winning

the Men’s North and South Amateur in 1968.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. PAGE 3

WWeellccoommee HHoommee:: U.S. Kids Golf ReturnsU.S. Kids Golf has found a good home for

the world’s largest kids’golf tournament. The U.S. Kids Golf World Championship,

which debuted in 2000, and the Teen WorldChampionship return to Pinehurst andSouthern Pines, N.C., for the sixth consecutiveyear.Historic Pinehurst Resort, host of the U.S.

Open and U.S. Women’s Open in 2014, willlend courses No. 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 to theworld’s best junior golfers from July 27 – Aug.7 when more than 1,700 kids from 48 statesand 39 countries visit the Sandhills.The famed No. 2 course will also host the

World Cup and Teen World Cup, both RyderCup-style match play events that close theWorld Championship and Teen WorldChampionship, respectively.Don Padgett, president of Pinehurst Resort, is

enthusiastic about the continuing partnershipwith U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, which providesan economic boost to the area in the summer.“We are extremely proud to have the

tremendous opportunity to work with U.S. KidsGolf to offer this once-in-a-lifetime chance forthese kids to get the feel of a ‘tour’ golf

see WELCOME, page 4HANNAH SHARPE/The Pilot

Golfers from New Zealand fly their country’s flag during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 U.S. Kids World Championship.

PAGE 4 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

About This IssueCover Photography: Patrick Love

Supplement Design/Layout:Martha J. Henderson,Special Sections Editor

Copy Editor:John Krahnert III, Sports Editor

Contributing Writers:Norma Stilwell, Andrew Soboiero

and John Krahnert III

Contributing Photographers:Patrick Love and Hannah Sharpe

Special thanks to Norma and Peter Stilwell,Caleb Miles, the Convention & VisitorsBureau of the Southern Pines, Pinehurst,Aberdeen area, and Patrick Coughlin.

For advertising information,contact Pat Taylor at (910) 693-2505or email advertise@thepilot.com

145 W. Pennsylvania Ave.,Southern Pines, NC 28387

(910) 692-7271 • thepilot.com

tournament,” said Padgett. “We feel it isimportant for Pinehurst to play an active role inencouraging golfers at every age and level toenjoy the game.”For Dan Van Horn, founder of U.S. Kids

Golf, the chance to have the “home ofAmerican golf” as the site of this mostprestigious kids’ golf tournament in the worldis a great experience.“U.S. Kids Golf is pleased to partner with

Pinehurst Resort and several other outstandingcourses in the area for our WorldChampionships,” said Van Horn, who foundedthe company nearly 15 years ago. “Every year,top young golfers worldwide set a goal to playin this tournament in Pinehurst, and we’reproud to continue providing them with thatopportunity.”The U.S. Kids Golf Teen World

Championship for ages 13-17 will be playedJuly 28-30, followed by the Teen World Cupon July 31 on No.2.The U.S. Kids Golf Championship will be

August 4-6. This event will be for boys andgirls ages 5-12 and will also be capped off bythe U.S. Kids Golf World Cup.Both Padgett and Van Horn lauded the more

than 700 local volunteers who make it

possible to use additional area golf courses,including Longleaf CC, Talamore Golf Resort,Mid Pines Inn and Golf Course, Little River CC,Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Course, MidlandCC and Southern Pines Golf Course.“We appreciate the area clubs and their

members and volunteers stepping up to makethis event possible,” they added. “This is alarge undertaking, and we couldn’t do it

without people at each site who keep thetournament running smoothly.”The opening ceremonies parade, which is

open to the public, will be held in the village ofPinehurst on Tuesday, August 2, at 7 pm. Theplayers will proudly carry their country’s flag asthey all gather in the heart of the village, witha special parade appearance by the 82ndAirborne Band.

WelcomeFrom Page 3

PATRICK LOVE/The Pilot

Girls competing in the 2010 U.S. Kids Golf Championship practice at Longleaf.

PAGE 6 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

Monday, August 1World Championship Parent/ChildTournament9 a.m. • ShotgunPinehurst No. 1 and Pinehurst No. 8

Tuesday, August 2Registration8 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Pinehurst Clubhouse,St. Andrews Room

U.S. Kids Golf Club Fitting and Demo Day9 a.m. - 5 p.m.Pinehurst Resort Driving Range

Opening Ceremony Parade7 p.m. • Pinehurst Village

Wednesday, August 3Practice Round • 7:30 a.m.

Please schedule practice roundsdirectly with the facility.

Registration8 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Pinehurst Clubhouse,

St. Andrews Room

U.S. Kids Golf Club Fitting & Demo Day9 a.m. - 4 p.m.Pinehurst Resort Driving Range

Thursday, August 4Round OneTee times begin at 7 a.m.

Friday, August 5Round TwoTee times begin at 7 a.m.

Saturday, August 6Round ThreeTee times begin at 7 a.m.

Closing Ceremony8:30 p.m.Pinecrest High School Auditorium

Sunday, August 7U.S. Kids Golf World Cup7:30 a.m. • Pinehurst No. 2

U.S. Kids Golf LLC is based in Atlanta, andmanufactures equipment and related golf productsmade especially for kids.In addition to more than 4,000 golf shops and

retail locations in the U.S., the company’s productsalso are available in over 75 countries worldwide.The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation, a Georgianonprofit recognized as a 501(c)(3) charity, wascreated in 2001 and provides services thatinclude competition and instruction.The Foundation organizes more than 500

golf tournaments for kids each year, includingLocal Tours in more than 40 cities, 10 Qualifiersacross the nation, six Regional Championships,a European Championship and the U.S. KidsGolf World Championship and Teen WorldChampionship, which are held each year inPinehurst.In partnership with the PGA of America, the

Foundation also supports the U.S. Kids GolfFamily Course program, which provides guide-lines that help courses make the game easier tolearn and more fun for kids and their families.For more information, call (888) 387-5437 or

visit www.uskidsgolf.com.

U.S. Kids Golf ’s GoalIs to Promote andExpand the Game

U.S. Kids Golf World ChampionshipSchedule of Events

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. PAGE 7

BY ANDREW SOBOEIRONewsroom Intern

The annual U.S. Kids Golf World and TeenWorld Championships will be held in MooreCounty from July 27-Aug. 7 and once againwill make a big economic impact on the area.One of the world’s largest amateur golf

tournaments — and the largest championshipfor kids — it will bring more than 7,000visitors from 46 states and 26 countries. Thiswill provide a strong revenue stream to thecounty’s businesses, which see this event as animportant economic opportunity.In last year’s tournament, more than $4.2

million was spent in Moore County alone,generating $6.2 million in total economicgrowth. County officials and business leadersare hoping for similar results this year.“Like any tournament coming to town, it’s

critical to our business,” said Patrick Coughlin,president and CEO of the Moore CountyChamber of Commerce. “The Championshipbrings thousands of people to our county;housing, feeding and entertaining thosepeople is an essential function for our smallbusinesses.”At the forefront of promoting this event is the

Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area

Convention and Visitors Bureau. The CVB is,according to its president and CEO, CalebMiles, “the official Destination MarketingOrganization, or DMO, for Moore County.”There are more than 5,000 people

employed in tourism here, so it’s veryimportant to economic development.The CVB helps to facilitate all major tourist

draws for both amateur and professionalevents. The U.S. Kids Golf WorldChampionship is the “largest in terms ofamateur events,” and is thus a top concern forthe Bureau.“What’s interesting about this is you have

people from all over the world,” said Miles,“and the farther away they’re from, the longerthey stay and the more they spend.”This is reflected by the data; according to a

2010 study, the average four-personChampionship tourist party spends $2,700 onits trip, nearly three times the average amountspent on leisure trips in the United States.Much of this event’s tourists come from faraway; more than half have to fly to reach thecounty.Many of them come from Latin America or

Europe, and some from as far away as China.It makes sense that those in attendance wouldwant to prolong their trips as long as possible;the average stay is 6.1 days.2011 is the sixth consecutive year that Moore

County has hosted the Championship. Theevent is so popular because it spreads wealth

throughout the county’s industries.The largest portion of the revenue, often over

a million dollars, goes to housing, where it issplit among hotels, resorts and condominiums.Additional hundreds of thousands are spent onfood, beverages and retail. As these touristshave come to play golf, they pour hundreds ofthousands of dollars into the county’s golfcourses as well, playing practice rounds onlocal courses throughout the tournament.The U.S. Kids Golf World Championship is

the largest of a number of amateur sportstournaments that grace the county each year.Together with the Dixie World Series baseballtournament and the NC Tennis Tournament,the Championship provides what PatrickCoughlin calls “a continuous economic driverfor our community.”Professional tournaments bring more money,

but their location is more hotly contested, andMoore County cannot host them as frequently.On a year-to-year basis, it is clear that

amateur tournaments, and the U.S. Kids GolfWorld Championship in particular, are vital tothe county’s economy.

Andrew Soboeiro is a newsroom intern withThe Pilot this summer.

Area’s Economy Benefits From Kids Championship

PATRICK LOVE/The Pilot

Father and daughter walk hand-in-handto the first tee at Longleaf during lastyear’s U.S. Kids World Championship.

PAGE 8 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

PATRICK LOVE/The Pilot

AJ Beechler, of Pinehurst, tees off on the first hole at Little River on the final day of the 2010 U.S. Kids World Championship.

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. PAGE 9

BY NORMA STILWELLSpecial to The Pilot

Golfing families like Doug, Lynne and AJBeechler are everywhere — a parent has a golfcareer, the child is around a golf facility all thetime, the child starts playing the game— andthe rest is history.But as AJ prepares for his seventh U.S. Kids

Golf World Championship at the tender age of11, it is apparent that their lives don’t revolvearound the typical “golf family” routine.Originally from New Jersey, Lynne, a biology

teacher at Pinecrest High School in SouthernPines, and Doug were unanimous in theirdecision to move to Pinehurst after visiting theSandhills in 2006 while AJ played in the firstWorld Championship held in the area. But ittook two years to finally arrive in the friendlierclimates where golf could be played more thansix months a year.“There was no argument from AJ,” recalled

Doug Beechler, himself a player who holds the

distinction as the youngest person to qualify fora PGA event.“We all fell in love with the area, and AJ really

didn’t want to leave after that first U.S. Kids Golfevent. He’s a fan of golf history, Payne Stewart

(1999 U.S. Open Champion)is one of his favorite players,and we could play golf herenearly year-round.”During those cold winters in

New Jersey, this familydeveloped some prettyentertaining ways of keepingthe swing sharp, which

ultimately helped make the game fun for AJ.There was the kid’s toy car track at their

house, except AJ practiced his short game bychipping his ball to the top of the tracks, placedjust right so the ball would roll down the tracksand fall into a cup at the bottom. He likes achallenge: He kept trying to hit that cup.There was also the plastic soda bottles

positioned in safe places around the house thatAJ could knock down with plastic golf balls. Allof that atypical work in confined spaces hasgiven AJ tremendous confidence in his chippingand putting. And it was a fun way for a kid tonot be pushed into “practicing” as he developedpinpoint accuracy.He’s also taught himself to read the greens

and line up his own putts, which he admits is stilla work in progress, even though he’s certainlycomfortable doing it.“When I’m about 100 yards out, I find that

four to five foot circle around the hole and try tohit within that circle,” he laughed. “Usually itworks. And I don’t know how to ‘plumb bob’when I read the putts, and if I’m not happy withthe putt, I’ll just try something different.”The family has made many good friends,

including the tournament staff, during thePinehurst events; they bring a football and thekids all play and wind down after their rounds.Doug Beechler also enjoys caddying for AJ in

the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, whichhe sees as a bonus both for him and his family.“I pretty much keep my mouth shut because

he makes his own club choices,” smiled thefather. “When AJ makes up his mind to go witha certain club, he goes with it.”And it has seemingly worked well for AJ, who

was invited to play in his first U.S. Kids Golf Boys6-year-old division event when he was 5 andhas placed in the top five in his age division forthe last five years in Pinehurst. This fun-lovingboy has quite an enviable golf resume for sucha young age, including a first-place finish in theinaugural U.S. Kids Golf EuropeanChampionship in 2008.His leisurely pursuits of fishing, basketball and

bowling will be put on hold while he honors hisinvitation to play on his third Tiger WoodsNational Junior Golf Team, a spot earned forgolf skills, grades, citizenship and community

see NATURAL, page 10

The NaturalU.S. Kids Golf Is Normal Part of AJ Beechler’s Life

BEECHLER

PAGE 10 SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

service.“It’s fun playing in the Tiger Woods event,” the

rising 6th-grader said impishly, “because myball goes farther since it’s hot and dry in thedesert!”Community service, like AJ’s abilities, has

been a natural part of this golf family for manyyears. Relatives and friends in New Jerseybegan “Operation Footsteps,” a charity whichcollects shoes and sneakers for kids in Africawho don’t have shoes of their own, and AJ hascommunicated his understanding of the needsof others to the Pinehurst Elementary Schoolstudent body, as he collected more than 1,000pairs of shoes for the charity.AJ also joined mother Lynne when she volun-

teered to help with “Stop Hunger Now,” a groupat Sandhills Community College who helpedpack 75,000 bags of dry food to send to Haiti.There is a genuine sense that the Beechlers

enjoy life and golf but appreciate its balance bygiving back to help others. At the same time,there is a parent’s sincere recognition to “let akid be a kid,” even when this “kid,” who has yetto hit a growth spurt, is making a name forhimself on the junior golf circuit and certainly issomeone to watch during the U.S. Kids GolfWorld Championship in August.

Don’t forget to check the list of 2014 U.S.Open players on Pinehurst No.2; AJ hopes tobe one of the youngest to ever qualify for thatevent on his home course … things like that runin his family!

NaturalFrom Page 9

CONTRIBUTED

AJ Beechler is making a name for himselfon the junior golf circuit.

Many players in the U.S. Kids Golf World andTeen World Championships have interestingstories. Here are a few:

Ten-year-old Grace Chen, of Sunnyvale,Calif., is returning to the U.S. Kids Golf WorldChampionship after finishing in the Top 5 of2010 Girls 9 Division. The remarkable younglady was introduced to golf while healing fromchildhood leukemia (Acute LymphocyticLeukemia), and with help from her family,Grace has started a charity, Birdie For ALL,which has donated money to the StanfordUniversity Children’s Hospital.

In her fourth trip to the World Championship,she will again have local Longleaf memberGary Carroll on her bag, following theirsuccessful time as player and caddy in the 2010event.

Cade Puryear just competed in one of hismost meaningful golf tournaments before leav-ing his Athens, Tenn., home for Pinehurst as heplayed in a fundraiser to honor the memory of

his younger brother, Cole.Just six months after both boys played in the

U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in 2009,Cole, then six, suffered a rare, but fatal child-hood stroke, and Cade, now 11, his family andcommunity immersed themselves into turningthis shocking tragedy into a moving tribute to theyoung boy, who was his brother’s best friend.

Cade is now an integral part of “Cole’sChristmas” at their elementary school, anannual event that provides toys and games forhundreds of needy families. Following theirchurch’s mission trip to Jamaica, a decision wasmade to pay further tribute to Cole by buildingan orphanage for 20 deserving Jamaicanchildren through the funds raised during the golftournament.

The New Zealand flag flies proudly in the U.S.Kids Golf World Championship Parade ofNations because 10-year-old Jack Green hasboldly blazed its trail on the that country’s golfcourses. Up until several years ago, the 10-year-old had been a “child without a golfcourse” around the Auckland area; he waseither denied access or asked to leave thedriving ranges and the courses — not becausehe lacked skills, but because the perception ofchildren on golf courses was not permitted.

But since Jack was determined to changeminds and play golf, his mom helped Jack starthis own junior academy and tournaments sokids ages 4-13 would have an outlet for playinggolf.

Another local player, Griffin Cryan, a risingfreshman at Pinecrest High School, played forthe third time in the World Championship andfound it very special that his dad Stephencaddied for him.

Family members from Charlotte and NewYork were here to cheer Griffin on in the TeenChampionship and help fill the void that isalways present when Griffin thinks of the momhe lost to cancer several years ago. Stephen saidNina Cryan would have been part of her 14-year-old son’s caddy team, they have no doubt,but she will always be a part of him on the golfcourse and in his life.

Hailey Crider has been playing golf sinceshe was 10 years old and now has completed

her third World Championship. She took noticeof golf by watching it on TV, received instructionfrom local pros, and now the captain of thePinecrest Lady Patriot golf team has her sights seton playing college golf following high schoolgraduation.

She teamed up with her uncle Tim Bott, ofCharleston, who for the third time was hercaddy.

Crider recalled her first qualifying event forU.S. Kids Golf five years ago when she was only11.

“I went in very innocent,” she laughed, “butthat qualifier was only the second time in my lifethat I had played a full 18 holes of golf! And Iqualified. We had so much fun.”

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. PAGE 11

NotablePlayers

PAGE 12 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

Welcome To AllUS Kids OpenPlayers andTheir Families

No. 2 Market Square • Pinehurst, NC910•295•3400 • Reservations accepted.

www.duganspub.net

Open 7 Days aWeek

Twelve-year-old Taylor Black began thenew year with a goal of finding some-thing fun to do while raising awarenessamong her friends as well as extra fundsfor a variety of charities.

A self-proclaimed “mother hen,” Blackloves helping others and borrowed apage from the professional golfers whoare involved in charity work.

And so it was that G.G.N.C. was born— Girls Game Night for Charity!

Her idea of playing board games oncea month with her friends, who make asmall donation to play, has helped severalcharities in the rural west central Missouricity of Warrensburg, and in doing so, ithas given her and her friends a newreason for fun and a better understandingof the rewards of helping others.

Each winner of G.G.N.C. is allowed topick the charity of her choice, and all ofthe donated funds go to that charity. Withhundreds of dollars raised thus far,Taylor’s goal of contributing thousands bythe end of the year is gratifying — andnecessary.

“I found that my community doesn’thave many volunteer opportunities for

kids my age,” she said, “so I had to getcreative.”

Taylor has been active in girls’ juniorgolf since receiving her first club in 2007and knows the importance of being anoutstanding role model forher peers, including makingothers aware of both localand national charities thatneed everyone’s help. She isalso a conflict mediator at herschool.

And the creative differencethat Taylor is making in hercommunity, by calling atten-tion to various needs in aninnovative way, has led thisyoung golfer to be named asthe fifth annual 2011 PeggyKirk Bell Award recipient,given each year at the U.S. Kids GolfWorld Championship in Pinehurst.

The presentation of the award, namedafter the woman many consider to be thefounder and catalyst for women’s golf inAmerica, is always a special moment forDan Van Horn, founder of U.S. Kids Golf.

“It is such a privilege for the World

Championship to have Mrs. Bell torecognize our winners,” said Van Horn.“Her lifelong effort to celebrate the gameof golf is an inspiration for all of us, andshe is an icon for women’s golf in

America.”Taylor has also singled out

another golf icon, TomWatson, as one of herbiggest influences outside ofher family.

While listening to Watsonspeak at a 2010 kids' golfclinic about how he becamemore aware and dedicatedto finding cures for diseasesafter the death of his long-time caddie, Black wascaptivated by a veryimportant comment from the

Hall of Famer: “Character is how you actwhen no one is watching.”

Clearly, she has taken that to heart.One of her G.G.N.C. events wasdedicated to raising funds for a localfamily to help with gas money as they

see BLACK, page 13

Black Is Recipient of 2011 Peggy Kirk Bell Award

CONTRIBUTED

Creating a girls’ game night to raise money forcharity helped Taylor Black (pictured with her dad, Dr.Alex BeDell) receive the 2011 Peggy Kirk Bell Award.

“Characteris how youact whenno one is

watching.”Tom Watson

SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011 PAGE 13

drove their young daughter on lengthy cartrips for cancer treatments. Those designated“game night” dona-tions were doublethat of previousevents.“We are proud to

announce TaylorBlack as the winnerof this year’s PeggyKirk Bell Award,”said Van Horn.“While we had anumber ofoutstandingcandidates for thisyear’s award, Taylorhas demonstratedan extraordinaryattitude towardgiving back to hercommunity, andwe’re excited to seehow she continuesto do so in thefuture.”The desire to give back to all girls who need

help as they begin to play golf has inspired

the goal of developing the Taylor Black GolfFoundation, a step that Taylor is determined totake as she works toward her goal of becom-ing an LPGA golfer.While the young lady is playing board

games with her friends for charity, she hasalso maintained great grades and volunteers

at her dad’s chiro-practic clinic. Shehas played a fullsummer schedule ofjunior eventsfollowing a strong2nd place finish inthe Girls 12-year-old division at thePort St. Lucie (Fla.)U.S. Kids Golf PGAInvitational last fall.Taylor’s award

presentation willtake place duringthe closingceremonies onSaturday, August 6.Other nominees

were Grace Chen(Girls 10) fromSunnyvale, Calif.;Jack Green (Boys10) from Auckland,

New Zealand; and Cade Puryear (Boys 11)from Athens, Tenn.

BlackFrom Page 12

CONTRIBUTED

Taylor Black on the links

When you come to play at the“Home of American Golf,” there’s acourse for everybody to play.Nine area courses will host the

competitors in the 2011 U.S. KidsGolf World Championship this year.Below is a list of the courses that

will be participating, along with someinformation participants, their familiesand spectators might want to know.The age group placed on the

course is reflective of playability forthat particular age group and how itwill set up for the yardage that agegroup plays.Note that each course will play

shorter than its normal length.

Pinehurst No. 3Girls 12Yardage: 5,400. Holes: 18.Designed by Donald Ross in 1910,

Pinehurst No. 3 is a rolling, shortcourse that will test the game of anygolfer. Renovated greens put more ofa premium on putting accuracy.“I just don’t think people

understand how good those holesare,” said Ben Crenshaw of the

course. “They’re filled with interest.They’re shorter, but there’s plenty ofcharacter to them.”

Pinehurst No. 4Boys 12Yardage: 6,000. Holes: 18.Designed in 1919 by Donald Ross

and redesigned by Tom Fazio in2000, this course offers achampionship challenge to thosewho dare, including more than 140pot bunkers. The course also offerssome of the most picturesque scenesin Pinehurst, including the 13th and14th water holes.

Pinehurst No. 8Boys 9Yardage: 4,800. Holes: 18.Designed by Tom Fazio, No. 8

opened in 1996 to commemoratePinehurst’s centennial year. Fazioincorporated signature Donald Rossfeatures into the design, includingdips and swales around the greens,sloping greens and false fronts. Thegreens and tees are close together,making it a pleasure to walk.

TalamoreBoys 11Yardage: 5,600. Holes: 18.Designed by Rees Jones, Talamore

has been considered one of thecountry’s finest courses since openingin 1991. Position and strategy are ata premium on this course, as Jonessaid, “What I’m trying to do is requirethinking.”

Mid Pines Golf ClubBoys 7Yardage: 1,700. Holes: 9 (Front).Boys 8Yardage: 2,100. Holes: 9 (Back).A course many have characterized

as “pure Donald Ross,” Mid Pineswas designed by Ross in 1921 andstill boasts the same layout as it didwhen it opened. It utilizes the land itwas built on to create a fun yetchallenging test for any golfer. Thecourse has hosted numeroustournaments and championships,including the 2002 USGA SeniorWomen’s Amateur.

Midland Country Club

Girls 7 and underYardage: 1,500. Holes: 9.Boys 6Yardage: 1,300. Holes: 9.Designed by Tom Jackson, the

nine-hole course opened in 1977and caters to seniors, women andjuniors as well as experiencedplayers. It is a challenging yetenjoyable and friendly layout that willleave golfers wanting more.

Little River Golf ClubBoys 10Yardage: 5,200. Holes: 18.Designed by Dan Maples, Little

River opened in 1996. The oft-honored course is sculptured from450 acres of rolling hills and featuresnearly 200 feet in elevation andchanges. It is sure to test even themost skilled golfer.

Longleaf Golf ClubGirls 8Yardage: 1,800. Holes: 9 (Front).Girls 9Yardage: 2,100. Holes: 9 (Back).Girls 10

Yardage: 4,600. Holes: 18.Designed by Dan Maples and

opened in 1988, Longleaf has beencalled “the most playable course inthe Sandhills.” The course featurestwo distinct layouts. The front nine ismore of a links-style layout, featuringmany of the horse track’s originalfeatures — white fences, rail postsand hedgerows. The back nine, incontrast, is heavily tree-lined withdramatic elevation changes.

Southern Pines Golf ClubGirls 11Yardage: 5,000. Holes: 18.Named to Golfweek’s Best Courses

You Can Play in 2010, this classicDonald Ross design has been called“a true shotmaker’s golf course,”giving players options. While not aslong as many of today’s courses, thisrewarding track offers a variety ofshots from the tee and even morechallenges into the greens. It is athrowback to days gone by, wherebump and run shots were the normand tee shots demanded precisionover length.

PAGE 14 THE PILOT — SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. SUNDAY, JULY 31, 2011

A Look at the Nine Area Courses

The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation hosts theWorld Championship at Pinehurst and operates as a 501 c (3) nonprofit organization.The Foundation was created in 2001 with the vision of providing kids and their families to participate in the game of golf throughinstruction and competition.Today, the U.S. Kids Golf Foundation conducts over 400 local, regional, national, and international events.

Teen World ChampionshipJuly 28-30

Teen World CupSunday, July 31, Pinehurst No. 2

World ChampionshipAugust 4-6

World CupSunday,August 7, Pinehurst No. 2

The US Kids Golf Foundation would

like to thank the community of

Pinehurst and the volunteers for

welcoming the players, their families

and friends from across the world.

RELAX YOUR GRIP.

You know what the golf pros say: You’ll get better results if you loosen up. Good advice off the course, too, which is why we suggest you consider a few days in the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of North Carolina to reconnect with

your spouse, your family and your inner self.

Our charming resorts and spas will take you a world away from your day-to-day stress. Our unique shops, potteries and galleries will off er a little retail therapy for those in need. And then, of course, there are our famous championship golf courses to simultaneously calm the mind and reinvigorate the spirit. We’ll return you to your life with a relaxed outlook and a new grip on your priorities.

LET GO. LOOSEN UP AT THE HOME OF AMERICAN GOLF®.

VISIT WWW.HOMEOFGOLF.COM TO PLAN YOUR STAY.

Our charming resorts and spas will take you a world away from your day-to-day stress. Our unique shops, potteries and galleries will off er a little retail therapy for those in need. And then, of course, there are