Golf Travel Guide To Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of NC

An Interview With Claire Phillips, Director of Marketing

By Brian Weis

Looking to plan the perfect golf trip to Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of NC? Planning a buddies trip or a romantic golf getaway can be a full time job not to mention pressure filled to deliver a memorable experience. Below is an interview with Claire Phillips, Director of Marketing who shares some insider information about golfing and traveling to Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of NC, must play courses, a sample itinerary and where you can go for more planning tools.

Give our readers an overview of your destination and why they should consider it for their next golf trip?
Variety - with over 40 championship courses to choose from in close proximity for golfers of all skill levels, the Sandhills offers great opportunities to challenge anyone. The area also offers a great variety of lodging options - the world renown Pinehurst resort, national chain hotels/motels, B&B's as well as condos/private home rentals. To complement the variety of golfing options are dining and shopping. Each town has a unique vibe for shopping. Dining ranges from the best fish and chips in the Southeast to premium steaks, wine selections, craft beer - you name it. Visit and start a new golf tradition at the Home of American Golf.

What are the must play courses in Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of NC?
With over 40 courses, descriptions range from classic Donald Ross design to Nicklaus, Palmer, Stranz, Fazio, and Maples to name a few. Elevations are diverse, courses are classic to contemporary. Fast, short, long, slow can describe fairways and greens on any course on any given day. The best descriptions come from golfers after they finish the 18th hole.

What is the hidden gem and/or best value course?
Hidden gems - several courses are undergoing renovations to fairways and greens and will be in prime condition as the area prepares for the upcoming U.S. Open Championships in June 2014. The best value depends on what your budget allows. Great deals are found in late fall and late winter. Package deals can make a multi-day trip very affordable.

Can you provide our readers with an ideal itinerary for a long weekend?
For golfers - Friday evening - Beverages enjoyed in a pub, outdoor cafe, or rocking chair on the veranda. Dinner from casual to formal cuisine.
Saturday - Two rounds at area courses.
Saturday Evening - dine and wine.
Sunday Morning - another round at a top-rated course.
Sunday Afternoon - unwind with a spa visit.
Sunday Evening - quiet evening/live music. Sushi anyone?
Monday Morning - back to reality. Make reservations for next visit.

After golf, what are the "must do" things or attractions to see?
Non-golfers can fill a getaway too.
Seasonal festivals.
Live music at various venues.
Visit Tufts Archives to learn more about the founding of the Village of Pinehurst.
Shop Cameron - a town full of antique shops.
Southern Pines - boutiques and lots of food options.
Pottery Country - over 100 potters located in Seagrove.
Stroll through local art galleries, paint your own pottery.
Miles of gentle hiking trails.
Disc golf.
Historic homes and beautiful horse farms to see.

What is the best time to travel?
High seasons for golf are spring (April - May) and fall (September-October). Shoulder seasons offer better rates and the weather can be very co-operative with Indian summer up until Thanksgiving and few frost delay days. The thermometer can announce 70 degree weather occasionally in February.

Anything else you would like to share about the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of NC?
While the area has its history in golf, equestrian activities are equally popular whether as a participant or spectator. And, in the culinary world, the area has produced three winners in the Best Dish in NC contest for three years running - 2010, 2011, and 2012. The area is an easy drive from most of the mid-Atlantic and a one-hour drive south after arriving at Raleigh-Durham International airport.

Where can golfers go for more information to research and plan their trip?
HomeOfGolf.com -- The comprehensive destination website.

Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area of NC
910-692-3330, ext. 235

Revised: 08/05/2013 - Article Viewed 30,445 Times

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.