Tobacco Road GC
Sanford, NC (30 minutes north of Pinehurst)
1998, Mike Stranz
Disc Tees: 6304, 70.8, 142, 71
Directions from S. Pines:
US 1N 20 mi.- Turns into 4 lanes
R @ 1st Light onto Rocky Fork Church Rd - Go 1 Mi, look for sign on L
'01 Fees: Wknd/Wkdy
3/23-5/20 $95 $75
5/21-9/27 $68 $48
Reround $30 ($15 off season)
Named 2007 #10 Toughest Course in America by Golf Digest: "This is Mike Strantz's version of Pine Valley, as seen through a funhouse mirror. Bunkers become craters, greens become sinkholes. The sand hills are taller and more eroded, the pits are steeper and deeper. Some greens are three times as wide as they are deep, and others are twice as long as they are wide. What's not distorted is that there are five blind shots at Tobacco Road. That makes it cotton-pickin' hard."
Ranked #5 on Golf World 2008 Reader's Choice poll
Fat Guy Review: Put simply, Tobacco Road is my favorite U.S. public course and my best U.S. public golfing experience, ever. From the narrow pine-lined entrance drive, to the wood-plank-&-tin-roof Carolina architecture of the small clubhouse, to the quality of the pro shop merchandise, to the free (and essential) yardage guides, to the starter's friendly tips on faster play, to the visually stunning Irish-links-on-steroids feel of the course right from the 1st tee...
...to the bells to signal "all-clear" on blind shots, to the rambling waste area cart paths, to the subtle winding stairs built into hills and bunkers...
...to the hottie beer cart grrl, even down to the tasty hotdogs... This is golf as an adventure, details covered.
It's also design genius Mike Stranz and target golf at their finest. Built on a former sand quarry site...
...the Road is visually the most stunning and intimidating course I've ever played, although from the Plow tees it's bark is worse than it's bite for the middle-to-high handicapper, as generous, friendly-sloped landing areas wait on the other side of blind shots and tight-necked hazard areas. Stranz also perfected the design of what's become known as a "fish hook" risk/reward par-5, and there's a great one here.
And there's only one water hazard on the lot.
Traditionalists will hate it and say it's too tricked up, but if you've seen too many straightforward Rossesque 400-yard par 4's in your day, this place is Heaven on Earth. Reminded me of Scotland Run (NJ) in places with all the sand hills and huge waste areas, with some design elements borrowed from Old Tom Morris' Prestwick-style layouts of Scotland. Got some unnecessary flack from one ranger, but it's still A MUST PLAY. Rating: 10
Here's a good article I found extolling Mike Stranz' unique Sandhills routing: http://golfclubatlas.com/courses-by-country/usa/tobacco-road-nc-usa
Best Bar Nearby: The epicenter of southern golf is the Pinehurst resort, so whether you're lucky enough to be staying there, playing there, or just doing a wanna-be drive-through during your stay, you should always gravitate to the Pinehurst Resort's Ryder Cup Lounge. The bar here made Golf Digest's 2008 50 Best 19th Holes list. Named after the 1951 matches there, is just off the lobby of the resort's Carolina hotel; intimate bar and "great rocking chairs" on the attached veranda; "I'm waiting for Walter Hagen to wander in and order a drink."
The GD article: Pinehurst's Ryder Cup Lounge is Always 1 Up
By Ron Kaspriske
"At first glance, the Ryder Cup Lounge looks like nothing more than an alcove off the lobby of the Carolina, the Pinehurst Resort's historic hotel in Pinehurst, N.C. Yet every time you pass by its double doors, whether it's on your way to playing the No. 2 Course (No. 19 on Golf Digest's list of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses) or as you return from a chicken-and-ribs dinner at one of the region's quality barbecue joints, you can't help but want to stop in for a cocktail.
"Location, location, location; this is where most foursomes meet," says golfer Kevin Minor of Chicago, who admitted it was "no coincidence" he was sitting at the bar. According to bartender Mike Bishop, many hotel guests spend more time in the lounge than in their room. The phrase "stumbling distance" comes to mind.
"They meet there before playing. They meet there when they get back. They meet there before dinner. And meet there again for a nightcap," he says.
The PGA of America, which controls the Ryder Cup, granted Pinehurst special permission to use the name when the lounge opened in 1986, and a Ryder Cup trophy used to be displayed in the room. The trophy has since been moved to the resort's clubhouse. Still, if you need to get fired up to play a match, it's worth a trip into the lounge to see the memorabilia from past Ryder Cups. The highlight is a wall dedicated to the 1951 matches that were played at Pinehurst. Look at the U.S. team photo, and you'll see an impressive group of golfers: Snead, Hogan, Burke, Demaret, Mangrum. It's no wonder the Americans won 9½-2½ that year.
Although that team didn't have the pleasure of celebrating victory in the lounge, the bar has had many famous customers, says Kevin Phenegar, director of dining. Arnold Palmer surprised patrons when he walked in with his future wife, Kit Gawthrop, in 2004. Architect Rees Jones visits a lot. And actor/director Ron Howard can sometimes be found reading scripts.
The mahogany-wood bar is unspectacular -- it seats only five -- but the room, with its dark- wood trim and tables, is a great setting for groups that want to relive the day's round.
The ultimate time to be there is at dusk, from mid-March to late fall, when a bagpiper serenades guests Thursday through Sunday. And the best spot to listen is on the porch (above right), adjacent to the lounge.
THE HOUSE COCKTAIL
What better than iced tea to capture the spirit of the South? The lounge's Carolina Peach Tea is made with a ¼ oz. of rum, vodka, gin, tequila and peach schnapps. Top off with peach nectar, sour mix and sweet tea. Garnish with a peach slice. Click here to see it made by bartender Mike Bishop."
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Mr. B's Lounge (or the adjacent porch) @ The Pinecrest Inn is worth the drive for a beer after a round. The Inn was once part-owned by Donald Ross himself. The small, homey hotel features nightly singalongs around the piano, a throwback to a simpler time. Named one of Golf Magazine's 2003 "50 Coolest Places In Golf".
The only Gentlemen's club we found in the area is Pure Gold in Southern Pines, across the street from Shoney's on US 1, $12 cover, $4.50 beers, strong talent, tame $20 couch dances, crowded weekends.
T&L Golf digs DUGAN'S PUB
2 Market Sq; 910-295-3400 $
Outside of hotel bars, Dugan's is the only nightlife in Pinehurst. Walking distance from "downtown" hotels, offering pub fare (such as homemade potato chips) and a good beer selection (including a rarity in the South: Guinness on tap). Downstairs has a 2nd bar area with live music and a happening after-hours scene.
Where To Grub:
We were on a budget and didn't eat out much. Some Pinehurst regulars we met liked The Barn and Shucker's Oysters. The parking lot at The Lob Steer was full every night, and the menu at Sagebrush Steakhouse looked appetizing.
The best wings in Pinehurst are at the Scottish-style Darling House Pub & Grill (40 Chinquapin Road). Recommended by native Buffalonians, and try the Beef On Wyck too.
For informal dining, T&L Golf likes:
SQUIRE'S PUB
1720 US Hwy 1S, Southern Pines; 910-695-1161 $$
The Squire's Burger has been rated the best in town, and locals wager for the delicious fish & chip dinners. 40+ beers and English ales available. Closed Sun.
SEAGROVE DAIRY BREEZE
311 N Broad St, Seagrove 336-873-7612 $
When visiting the Seagrove pottery studios, stop by this mainstay on Bus 220 and get a vanilla shake and Burger with cole slaw and chili--it's almost worth the trip by itself.
For more upscale dining:
BEEFEATER'S
672 SW Broad St, Southern Pines 910-692-5550 $$$
The name says it all; for the past 15 years, this has been meat and potatoes at its finest. The place has the poorly lit, white-tablecloth feel of a proper steak house. Order the prime rib.
1895 ROOM
The Holly Inn, Pinehurst 910-295-6811 $$$
No matter where you stay, you should make a reservation at this exceptional restaurant located in the atrium-covered carriage entrance to the hotel. The food reflects the local mix of New England and NC cuisine. Menu changes seasonally, but look for Jugtown oysters as a starter, and the roast tenderloin of veal with blue-crab hash and hollandaise sauce.
MAGNOLIA INN RESTAURANT
65 Magnolia Rd, Pinehurst 800-526-5562 $$$
The food is fantastic, and the cozy setting is a great place to enjoy it. Try the rack of lamb or Atlantic salmon.
Where To Stay: If you can afford the accomodations or a golf pacakge, the lodging at the Pinehurst resort is top notch. The real heartbeat of the Pinehurst area is the Village Green, a small town reminiscent of New England charm. The town’s center is within walking distance to some of the finest old-world hotels, including the Pine Crest Inn mentioned above. We were on more of a budget and stayed at the Hampton Inn (1675 US Hwy 1 S, 910-692-9266). Stumbling distance to Pure Gold.