MCEDP

Completing a project that has been in the works since 2020, the United States Golf Association has officially moved into their completed building in Pinehurst.

Natalie Dean Hawkins, president of the Moore County Economic Development Partnership offered the Association congratulations on officially moving into their facility in a LinkedIn post on Friday, Dec. 15 stating:

“It’s official…the United States Golf Association (USGA) moved into Golf House Pinehurst this week!

I want to welcome all the USGA staff to the Moore County community. We stand ready to support you in any way that we can.”

The USGA first announced plans for Golf House Pinehurst in September of 2020. Concepts for the facility included a new equipment-testing facility, innovation hub, museum/visitor center and offices. The goal was to have the facility completed by 2023 and host five U.S. Open Championships in the golf-rich state by 2047.

The decision was meant to accelerate the USGA’s strategy to stage its premier golf championship at America’s most iconic venues with greater frequency. By doing so, Pinehurst Resort & Country Club also serves as the USGA’s first anchor site for the U.S. Open.

The plan, conceived throughout the 2010s, came to fruition through a comprehensive economic development effort that involved representatives from the North Carolina General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Department of Commerce, Moore County, the Village of Pinehurst and economic development experts.

The total $25 million investment included the construction of two buildings to be located near the clubhouse on the historic Pinehurst Resort property, housing 50 full-time USGA staff members.

Pinehurst will also serve as the USGA’s base for its work to advance the game of golf through innovation, research and science, in collaboration with some of the state’s leading universities.

The Project officially broke ground on June 7, 2022.

Guests at the groundbreaking got a first-hand look at the design of the campus, which will feature:

• The USGA Experience, an immersive view of golf and the USGA’s work to unify, showcase, govern and advance the game. Designed by Luci Creative, the Science of Golf and Championship galleries will feature interactive multimedia displays that incorporate augmented reality, interactive touch screens, sculptures and trophies;
• The USGA Shop, where golfers can purchase various products with the USGA championship logo of their choice as well as exhibit-related specialty items;
• USGA Golf Museum Special Exhibitions that uncover the USGA’s deep collection of golf artifacts – the most comprehensive collection in the world;
• The USGA’s Research and Test Center, the only one of its kind in North America solely dedicated to testing golf balls and clubs for conformance to the Rules of Golf;​​​​​​​
• ​​​The Glade, the USGA’s outdoor learning landscape that will help to elevate awareness of the USGA’s ongoing work to help make golf more sustainable, with native plants and pollinator habitats;
• The Grove, a restoration of the ancient longleaf pine forest native to the region, through a unique partnership with North Carolina State University.

Pinehurst Resort & Country Club leased the property to the USGA for a 100-year term, signaling the longstanding friendship and partnership between the two organizations and the commitment of the USGA to build a lasting presence in the Home of American Golf.

According to the USGA, independent studies estimate that the total economic impact of the USGA’s long-term presence in Pinehurst will exceed $2 billion to the state of North Carolina. The buildings will employ at least 50 full-time staff and serve as a base for the USGA’s work to advance the game of golf.

It was also announced by the USGA in August of 2023 that Pinehurst will serve as the host for six more prestigious USGA championships in the coming years. These events include the 2027 U.S. Women’s Amateur, 2032 U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior, 2038 U.S. Amateur, 2044 U.S. Women’s Amateur and a future U.S. Adaptive Open. The 2027 and 2044 U.S. Women’s Amateurs and 2038 U.S. Amateur will be held on Pinehurst No. 2, with the remaining championship’s courses to be determined at a later date.

“Bringing more championships to a venue like Pinehurst is a testament to the USGA’s commitment to our long term partnership with the Resort and our promise of expanding the presence of our organization in the area,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer in a press release. “Pinehurst’s rich golfing heritage and commitment to excellence make it the perfect setting for all of the USGA’s world-class events. Their commitment to our Open championships is incredible, and now we are able to shine a light on the amateur game here as well.”

This decision reaffirms the USGA’s commitment to Pinehurst and North Carolina while marking a significant milestone in the association’s strategic efforts to bring its other premier championships to the state with more frequency. The inclusion of the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior will mark the first time these championships will be contested at Pinehurst. The resort has hosted one U.S. Women’s Amatuer in 1989 and the U.S. Amateur will be played at Pinehurst for a fourth time when it returns in 2038. In addition to the championships announced today, Pinehurst will host the U.S. Open in 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047. The U.S. Women’s Open will come to Pinehurst in 2029 for another historic year of back-to-back U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships.

“We are honored and thrilled to welcome these USGA championships to our historic venue in the years to come and today continues to help us achieve our goal of hosting a variety of premier championships,” said Bob Dedman Jr. in a press release, speaking on behalf of the Dedman family, which owns Pinehurst Resort. “This continued partnership with the USGA reflects our shared dedication to the game of golf and the bright future we envision together. Pinehurst’s legacy in golf combined with the USGA’s commitment to innovation ensures that our collaboration will continue to create memorable championship moments for years to come at all levels of the game.”

An official grand opening for the Golf House has not yet been announced.

(Article by Greater Fayetteville Business Journal)