Karrie Webb grabbed hold of the U.S. Women's 
Open in the second round and never let go

Sandhills Golf

Pine Needles gets a third Women's Open 
to go with Pinehurst's two men's tournaments

By Bill F. Hensley

Peggy Kirk Bell couldn’t have been happier had she won the tournament herself. “I’m exhausted,” she said as she slid into an easy chair at her beloved Pine Needles resort, which had just hosted its second U.S. Women’s Open. “I hit every shot and agonized over every putt all week,” she said. “I even signed some autographs. We didn’t have much of that in my day.”

After North Carolina’s grand dame of golf had helped crown the popular Open champion, Australia’s Karrie Webb, she gracefully thanked the participants for coming, and then paid tribute to her family, staff and volunteers for putting on such a highly successful national event, one that ended June 3.

Obviously, the good news hasn’t had time to sink in at this point.

It came from the United States Golf Association, which announced just before the final round started that Pine Needles will host the prestigious annual championship in 2007, two years after the men’s open returns to Pinehurst No. 2 for a second time. The announcement was a stunner because seldom does golf’s governing body make such spur-of-the-moment decisions, except in 1996 when the tournament was such an overwhelming success that the USGA immediately gave this year’s tournament to Pine Needles before leaving town.

That will make three Open championships for the Donald Ross-designed gem in the Sandhills since l996, and added to the two men’s Opens at neighboring Pinehurst Resort and Country Club, gives the Tar Heel state an unprecedented five major golf events during an 11-year period.

“I am thrilled beyond words,” Bell said proudly. “I just wish Bullet (her late husband) was here to enjoy all this. This is a wonderful honor for our golf course and our resort.”

“Things couldn’t have been better at Pine Needles or Pinehurst,” offered USGA spokesperson Rhonda Glenn of the communications staff. “Both golf courses are great — the kind opens should be played on — and the facilities are second to none. This area, the state, the Bell family and everyone connected with the tournaments do a great job.  Professional in every way.”

Kelly Miller, Peggy’s son-in-law and chief operating officer at Pine Needles, thanked the USGA for the confidence shown in Pine Needles. “This really is a tribute to Mrs. Bell, the staff, the many volunteers who work hard to make the tournament a success and the fans. Be assured we will work just as hard on the next tournament as we did in 1996 and this year.”

The 1996 tournament set an attendance record with 110,000 spectators. That was broken last year in Illinois, and this year’s event was headed for another record with attendance above the 120,000 mark. But inclement weather just before the tournament began and again during the second round spoiled the opportunity. A weekend gathering of 50,000 fans did set a mark for Saturday and Sunday play, however.

“We had hoped to achieve record attendance,” Miller said, “but that wasn’t to be because of the weather. I guess we’ll just have to turn our sights on 2007.”

In addition to high spectator goals, the corporate community came through in record numbers with more than $2 million in sponsorships. “It is evident that our corporate sponsors take their golf seriously,” Miller said, “and we are grateful for their solid backing. It makes our job so much easier.”

The decision to return to Pine Needles was also a popular one with the vast throng of media who came to the state from all corners of the world, including Korea, Japan, England, Australia and Sweden.

Not to be overlooked, and certainly not by an alert body such as the USGA, was the toughness of the golf courses in the three Opens that have been played thus far in the Sandhills. In 1996, only two players — Annika Sorenstam and Kris Tschetter — broke par at Pine Needles; this year, only Webb did likewise. In the 1999 men’s Open at Pinehurst, only winner Payne Stewart finished under par.

“Certainly Donald Ross, the great architect, would be proud of these two creations,” said Mrs. Bell. “He used to say that Pinehurst No. 2 was his masterpiece, but that he came to Pine Needles because it was his favorite course for a relaxing round. Wouldn’t he be proud of what he gave the world?”

Pinehurst No. 2 was opened in 1907 shortly after the renowned Scotsman came to Pinehurst, while play at Pine Needles began in 1928. Both courses put a premium on keeping the ball in play and delicate work around the greens. There are no gimmicks on either course.

So roll out the green carpet for North Carolina golf. Pinehurst and Pine Needles have put us on the map thanks to a vast TV audience that now knows all about our treasures and looks at us with an open mind.

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