This was supposed to be our 2nd shot at a Scotland trip after our original plan for a 2020 tour was halted by the plague. Alas, our 2021 reschedule to Scotland was cancelled as well. So, off to the Sandhills!
Sadly, Bill (King) tested positive for Covid a few days before departure. Bummer.
Down to 3 – Kevin (Elsken), the Arkansas traveler; Al (Nees), coming in from Minnesota; & myself.
We stayed at the Talamore Villas in Southern Pines. Due to ongoing virus concerns a ‘family style’ breakfast was delivered to our unit each morning. There was also a complementary, Carolina style barbecue buffet (Pig-Pickin) a few nights in the Talamore pub. Day one dinner was at Dugan’s Pub in Pinehurst Village along with the obligatory stop at the Pinehurst Brewery.
Monday’s round was at the ‘New’ Talamore course. The restoration brought back the original Rees Jones greens and added a number of sod wall bunkers. Good course conditions & perfect weather.
Tuesday took us out to Sanford for the much anticipated ‘Tobacco Road’. Tobacco is a Mike Strantz course, ranked as number 50 of the top 100 courses in the world. Very interesting – built on the remnants of a sand quarry. A great layout, visually intimidating, and fun.
‘Bayonet at Puppy Creek’ was a late addition to the itinerary. The course is in Raeford, not far from Fayetteville, and is owned by Carolina Turf Farms. An enjoyable layout running through the pines and along Puppy Creek.
Our final 18-hole round was at Donald Ross’ ‘Pine Needles’. As always, great course conditions. They had already begun early prep work for the 2022 Women’s Open so fairways were a little tighter & the rough a little rougher! What a fun course!
I can’t remember what days (Senioritis!) but we also played the Pinehurst ‘Cradle’ short and ‘Thistle Dhu’ putting courses. Good fun!
