Latest news with #Pinehurst
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Culinary Excellence On and Off the Course
At Pinehurst Golf Club, we believe that exceptional golf deserves equally exceptional dining. Unlike many courses with limited food offerings, we have curated a comprehensive culinary experience that has become a highlight for our international guests. Our diverse menu ranges from authentic Thai specialities to international favourites, ensuring there is something to suit every palate. Our signature dish—tender Khao Kha Moo (stewed pork leg) served in a rich, flavourful broth—has become so popular that it is now our best-selling delivery item beyond the course! This dedication to quality extends across our food service, from clubhouse restaurants to on-course kiosks offering full meals rather than light snacks. What truly sets our culinary programme apart is our understanding of international preferences. Our Korean, Japanese, and European guests value our commitment to authentic flavours and thoughtful dietary considerations. Whether you're seeking comforting tastes from home or excited to explore Thai cuisine, our skilled chefs deliver memorable dining experiences throughout your stay. The convenience of our dining options further enhances your experience—there's no need to leave the property after your round or search for quality restaurants nearby. Non-golfing companions can enjoy leisurely meals, spa treatments, or fitness activities while you complete your round. Make your next golf trip a gastronomic adventure at Pinehurst. Book your visit today and discover why international guests consistently rate our dining experience among the finest in Thailand's golf resort scene. After all, unforgettable golf deserves unforgettable dining.
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Zing And The Zeal Of Paul Azinger, 2025 Payne Stewart Award Winner
Paul Azinger recieves the Payne Stewart Award Paul Azinger, the 12-time PGA Tour winner, Ryder Cup hero and longtime broadcaster, has been named the 2025 Payne Stewart Award recipient. Presented annually by Southern Company, the honor recognizes a player whose career reflects Stewart's legacy of character, sportsmanship, and generosity of spirit. The PGA Tour has a track record of big award ambush surprises and conspired with Paul's manager and the producers of The Drop on Golf Channel, a weekly primetime show, to contrive an interview ruse to deliver the news under the guise of a routine segment. 'So, I was doing this fake interview, and Matt Every asked if there was anyone from my era I never got to analyze that I would have liked to talk about as a broadcaster,' Azinger explained. As he took the bait and began to wax nostalgic about Payne Stewart—the Tam O'Shanter-wearing, three-time major winner whose bronze statue is a must-selfie spot for every golfer who plays Pinehurst No. 2—he turned around and was stunned to see Tracey Stewart standing there holding the trophy. 'I don't like surprises—I don't know anyone who does. They caught me on camera, and I don't know how it'll turn out to be honest, but it was emotional. It took getting out of that room for me to really feel the emotion of it. I'm really honored, big-time.' 'I'm not sure why they don't just tell you. I think they've fallen in love with the idea of totally shocking you to death. It was just a colossal surprise,' he added. The award is especially meaningful to Azinger as he was more than a contemporary of Payne's, he was also a dear friend. He delivered the eulogy at Stewart's funeral after the golf legend's untimely passing. When Paul and Payne first met up at tour event in the early 1980s, after making introductions Azinger found his gaze fixed on one of Stewart's lobes at what he thought was a quirky earring tat turned out to be an acupuncture needle. 'It helps me concentrate' Stewart, who went on to win the tournament, told him. It didn't take long for Azinger to realize that his new tour buddy was certainly out preparing him. 'All I could think about was 'man this guy, he thinks on another level than me.' I never thought about going to different lengths or depths into concentration, visualization, and all that relaxation stuff until that moment. I already got better just shaking his hand and asking about that acupuncture in his ear.' 'Standing out is part of his legacy—not blending in,' Azinger said of his fashion plate friend. 'He didn't want to dress like everybody else, and we all saw him change it up.' Rocking colorful throwback threads, Stewart was never just another guy on the range. He made sure to play as many practice rounds with Payne as possible, shadowing his rhythms and routines in hopes that some of Payne's magic might rub off. Just as compelling, though, was the simple fact that they always had a blast together. 'He was fun to play with, whether you were trying to beat him or not,' Azinger explained. They won what is now known as the Arnold Palmer Invitational (back then it was called the Hertz Bay Hill Classic) in back-to-back years and then in the ensuing years had a buddy battle going as to who would be the first to win Jack Nicklaus' tournament. Stewart started the Sunday of the 1993 Memorial Tournament three strokes ahead of Azinger but by the tourney's 72nd hole that lead had been whittled down to striking distance. 'We both wanted to win Jack's tournament before the other guy and I ended up holing out of the bunker to get him and he had me beat all day. It was the most emotional thing,' Azinger recalled. On the philanthropic front, Azinger was in awe that Stewart had decided to donate his winnings from the 1987 Bay Hill Classic to charity, gifting the entire $108,000 to a Florida hospital in memory of his late father. 'That was a lot of money, and I just thought, this guy is so charitable.' Later, Azinger would learn the extent of Stewart's impact. 'After Payne passed away, Michael Jackson looked at buying his house in Orlando. When they told him whose it was, he said, 'Oh yeah, the guy in the knickers!' Even Michael Jackson knew Payne. I don't think we realized how big Payne was until he was gone.' Paul Azinger putts with a pitching wedge after breaking his putter in frustration during his opening ... More round in the 1996 British Open Golf Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes club. (Photo by Fiona Hanson - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images) Putter Breaking To Legacy Building Azinger famously snapped his Ping Anser in two during the 1996 Open Championship—an endlessly replayed clip on linear television in the era before social media. He couldn't help but wonder how that lowlight squares with years later receiving an award that celebrates character. 'Everybody saw it. How can I get this character award?' he said, perhaps workshopping a zinger he might weave into his acceptance speech. 'We're all human, right?' But his arc from fiery competitor to Ryder Cup ringleader to philosophical elder statesman speaks volumes. 'You get to a point where you can make a living, and then you want to make history,' Azinger said. 'But I don't think you realize that maybe you're making a legacy at the same time. I never even said the words 'my career' during my career until I heard someone else say it who'd been at it 20-some years. I thought, 'Wow—I guess I've had a career.' You've made a career out of golf, and that takes getting older to even say the word. And then suddenly it's a legacy. To get rewarded for it—it's just humbling to me.' A dedicated advocate for children and families, Azinger and his wife Toni, opened the 12,000‑square‑foot Azinger Family Compassion Center in 2021 on One More Child and Guardian Angels of Southwest Florida's campus in Palmetto. The facility serves as a donation and distribution hub, providing a hand up to foster children, hungry children, single mothers, trafficking survivors, and struggling families. They partner with local charities to distribute essential items like clothes, food, diapers, and household goods across the community. In the past 12 months alone, the center has distributed nearly $19 million worth of supplies and supported more than 190 area nonprofits. 'You don't realize that there is that much to be given away and there is that much to be needed,' Azinger said. 'This has proved it. Everything in our building—you come back two weeks later, it's all different stuff. All the stuff you saw two weeks ago is gone and there is new stuff.' Azinger, whose wife Toni co-founded the Florida Human Trafficking Victims Fund—also hosts the annual Teeing Off to Stop Human Trafficking golf tournament in November, benefiting both the fund and One More Child. 'Our goal is to rescue kids,' Azinger said. 'We have a heart for One More Child—if it's just one, it matters. Human trafficking is such a big issue now,' Azinger said, acknowledging the enormity of the issue. 'We're just trying to be in service to those kids.' 1993: Portrait of Paul Azinger of the USA with the trophy after winning the PGA Championship at the ... More Inverness Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: David Cannon/Allsport Prime Time Zinger Before he became an acclaimed Ryder Cup strategist—trailblazing the 2008 pod system that snapped a nine year drought for Team USA—Azinger authored one of the PGA Championship's most thrilling finishes.' On the Sunday of the 1993 PGA Championship at the Inverness Club, Azinger caught fire on the back nine, birdieing four of the final seven holes to draw even with Greg Norman and force a sudden-death playoff. With the pressure of the Wanamaker Trophy hanging on them, both players flubbed birdie attempts on the first extra hole. On the second, Norman left his birdie putt four feet and change shy of the hole while Azinger lipped out on his, a touch too aggressive with his stroke but still in dandy shape as he was left with a tap in for par. With the burden to perform in the clutch back on the Aussie, Norman buckled, failing to correctly judge the right to left break of his downhill putt causing his sphere to spin off the left edge of the cup. Azinger's breakthrough meant shedding the 'best player never to win a major' tag while deepening Norman's rep for being perennially snake bitten in majors. While he'd win the Open twice including that season, the Great White Shark would end up racking up eight runner-up finishes in golf's biggest events.
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Owners Of Pine Needles, Mid Pines Acquire Four More N.C. Golf Courses
An aerial image of Southern Pines, one of the three public properties under Rolling Pines LLC, which ... More has further expanded with the acquisitions of Whispering Pines and Foxfire. The group that owns Pine Needles, Mid Pines and Southern Pines – three of the most respected public golf properties in Pinehurst, North Carolina, outside of the Pinehurst Resort – has further expanded its footprint in the Sandhills region with the acquisition of four additional 18-hole courses. Rolling Pines LLC, a newly formed management company under the parent Mid Pines Development Group, added to its existing 54-hole portfolio with the purchase of the Country Club of Whispering Pines and Foxfire Country Club. Each facility has two 18-hole courses with deep ties to the region, although none were designed by Donald Ross, the architect of the group's other three courses. "We see great opportunities in both properties," said Kelly Miller, the managing partner of the new ownership group and the son-in-law of the late Peggy Kirk Bell, a former professional golfer known for her advocacy in the women's game who owned Pine Needles beginning in 1953. Miller has been with Pine Needles since the 1980s, working his way up to president and CEO over the years, and was instrumental in the company's 1994 acquisition of Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club, and the 2020 purchase of Southern Pines Golf Club. "Our goal is to make significant improvements on all four courses and get them on an upward trajectory,' added Miller. 'The Sandhills area is growing, North Carolina is growing, and Raleigh, Sanford and Fort Bragg seem to be getting closer and closer to us. This is a chance to some polish some classic golf courses from outstanding designers and make them available to the public at a reasonable price.' The acquisitions, financial terms of which weren't disclosed, come after years of ownership changes at both facilities. Both the Country Club of Whispering Pines, which opened in 1959 with two Ellis Maples-designed courses, and Foxfire Country Club, established in 1968 with two Gene Hamm-designed courses, were purchased from GreatLife Golf Management. Course Restoration Plans The Rolling Pines ownership group plans to enlist golf architect Kyle Franz to develop master plans for the newly acquired courses. Franz has been instrumental in the group's previous restoration projects, starting with Mid Pines in 2013 and Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in 2017-18, returning both to their original Ross character with rebuilt greens and reconfigured bunkers. He then oversaw the most dramatic transformation of the bunch at Southern Pines, with an 18-month restoration that followed its acquisition from the local Elks Club in 2020. Pine Needles, Southern Pines and Mid Pines were all reworked by golf architect Kyle Franz, who is ... More being enlisted to revamp the four new courses added to the Rolling Pines portfolio. Franz's work at Whispering Pines and Foxfire will differ from the faithful Ross restorations he completed previously, with a focus first on tweaking the courses and then developing a master plan as part of the new ownership's long-term vision. Haresh Tharani, whose family investments span retail, hospitality, and hedge fund management, has been a partner of the Miller and McGowan families since 2017 and brings additional capital as well as a shared vision for preserving the historic golf offerings in the region. He cites the appeal of the region and the potential of the properties as motivation for the acquisition. 'We have four seasons, low taxes, and a healthy business climate,' Tharani says of North Carolina's appeal. 'We're close to the mountains and the coast. And in the middle is the Sandhills, one of the great golf destinations in the country. We have a deep commitment to the community and to the state. We believe in buying properties that have a great legacy and tradition, and both of these clubs fit that.' The Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club Ties to the Region For Miller, the purchase represents an extension of his commitment to the region. He recalls playing both Foxfire and Whispering Pines as part of a group with his father-in-law, Warren 'Bullet' Bell, a former professional basketball player, and a group of 12 to 16 others who rotated between those courses as well as Pine Needles and Southern Pines every week. 'We had a great time. Over the years, Foxfire and Whispering Pines have had their challenges,' Miller added. "I have fond memories playing there and have had my eye on them for some time.' The River and Pines courses are the centerpieces to the club at Whispering Pines and were designed by Ellis Maples, whose family also has roots in Sandhills golf. His father, Frank Maples, was construction and course maintenance chief under Donald Ross, thus working extensively in the Pinehurst area, while his son Dan Maples has operated a golf design firm from Pinehurst for half a century. 'Whispering Pines has great corridors,' Miller said. 'They have some great golf there. The routing is really good. I have always been intrigued in the lineage to Pine Needles and Mid Pines because Ellis as a young man worked on the construction of both those courses.' Foxfire is situated about six miles southwest of the village of Pinehurst and sits on a 2,000-acre site anchored by Lake MacKenzie, which serves as a formidable water hazard at both the Red Fox and Gray Fox courses. Hamm, who like Ellis Maples is a member of the Carolina Golf Hall of Fame, opened the first course in 1968, a layout that hosted the ACC men's golf championship in 1970, 1973, and 1975. Nine new holes followed in 1972, and the facility became a 36-hole operation in 1981. Course Access In the near term, guests at both Pine Needles and Mid Pines will have access to the courses at Foxfire and Whispering Pines. There is the possibility of other synergies between the five properties, although the four new courses will operate separately from the existing membership structure at the original three clubs. The investment reflects the group's confidence in the golf potential of the Sandhills region, a destination known first and foremost among traveling golfers for the Pinehurst Resort and its 189 holes (and counting). With 126 holes of golf now under management, the Rolling Pines group has reinforced that it, too, is committed to long-term stewardship, with a focus on making quality golf available to the public while retaining its historic character. "We have a deep commitment to the community and to the state," Tharani said. "We believe in buying properties that have a great legacy and tradition, and both of these clubs fit that."
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Country singer ‘in a bit of shock' after losing 2 family members on same day
Scotty McCreery is mourning the loss of two family members whom he lost within hours of each other. The country music singer lost both his grandmothers on Wednesday, McCreery wrote in a Facebook post Thursday. 'My heart is absolutely broken. Yesterday, both my Grandma Janet and my Grandma Paquita passed away. I think I am still in a bit of shock as I type this, but I'm choosing to remember the great memories we all made with both of them,' he wrote. 'There really are too many to count. From being on the farm in Elizabeth City or visiting the Outer Banks with Grandma Janet.. And then the incredible memories we made at the backyard pool in Pinehurst, all the way to visiting Puerto Rico with Grandma Paquita. Both of them truly taught me what love is all about,' McCreery wrote. 'I will miss them dearly. If yall could keep my family in your prayers I'd appreciate it.' The 'American Idol' alum's post was flooded with supportive comments from fans and loved ones alike. 'So sorry for your losses,' one comment read. 'It's hard to fathom losing both your grandmothers in the same day. Prayers for you and your family.' 'Both at once…more than you should bear,' another comment read. 'Praying that you find comfort in your memories.' McCreery rose to fame after winning the tenth season of 'American Idol' in 2011. He released his platinum-selling debut album, 'Clear as Day' that same year. McCreery has since released five more studio albums, with his latest being 'Rise & Fall' from 2024. Some of most popular songs are 'I Love You This Big,' 'The Trouble with Girls,' 'See You Tonight and 'Five More Minutes.' McCreery was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2024. Popular 2000s country artist loses younger brother in Texas floods Country icon, 86, suffers heart attack after coming out of retirement Son of country music legend who suffered stroke on stage updates fans '90s country star says what she had to 'let go of' after coming out as gay Support surges for country music legend who suffered stroke on stage Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Heartwarming Tiger Woods Moment With Son Charlie Woods Is Turning Heads
Heartwarming Tiger Woods Moment With Son Charlie Woods Is Turning Heads originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Charlie Woods continues to build his presence in the golf world. The 16-year-old competed this week in the 47th Junior North & South Amateur at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Advertisement On hand to support him was his father, golf legend Tiger Woods. During one stretch, Charlie drained a long putt, giving him four birdies in five holes. After sinking it, he turned to Tiger and joked, 'I don't want to hear it,' referring to his dad's course-side critiques. Tiger laughed and replied, 'Good putt,' and the two shared a moment of laughter. That interaction quickly caught fans' attention. NUCLR GOLF on X posted the following exchange: "Tiger and Charlie shared a laugh after he drained a long bomb for birdie." The exchange lit up social media, with fans weighing in on the father-son bond and Charlie's growing game. Advertisement This fan was excited for Charlie, "Charlie's got the swagger!" "Good putt Charlie," commented here. "Mini GOAT," from this golf fan. Another fan posted here: "LFG Charlie." While this fan was excited for Charlie, he was more excited about the winner of the event: "If T12 is +1, kid at -10 must've been lapping the field." This fan was not as pleased about the interaction and took the time to bash on Charlie: "Yeah suck it other 10 kids that did better or just as well. Let's hear about Charlie!!!" Tiger Woods and son Charlie Woods celebrate at the PNC Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Still, the overall mood was celebratory. Tiger and Charlie were last seen in the spotlight together at the PNC Championship, and their shared joy at Pinehurst added to the growing list of viral Woods family moments. Advertisement Charlie held his own at the event, finishing just outside the top 10 with a final-round 1-under 71. He shot 72 on both Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 8 in the first two rounds. Davis Wotnosky took home the title at 10-under par. As for Tiger, the 15-time major champion is now 49 years old and hasn't won a major since 2019. He has yet to play in a PGA Tour event in 2025, after making five appearances in 2024. Related: PGA Tour Announces Management Change Amid 110th Season Related: Tiger Woods Announces Clear Decision on His Golfing Future This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
