Rees Jones To Renovate Pinehurst No. 7 Course

By HOWARD WARD

Rees Jones, whose design of Pinehurst Resort’s No. 9 Course was put on hold last year due to the economic slowdown, has been commissioned to renovate the No. 7 Course, one he built in 1986.

Jones, who has designed more than 100 courses around the world, including Talamore in Southern Pines, has earned the nickname “Open Doctor” because of having remodeled six U.S. Open courses.

The No. 7 Course is scheduled to shut down on June 17 and reopen in early 2003. The greens are being redone with Penn G2 bentgrass and some of the greens surfaces will be modified for less contour.

Plantation Sale?: The word is that a transaction involving The Plantation Golf Club in Southern Pines is nearing fruition.

The complex, which was designed by Arnold Palmer in the early 1990s, has been saddled with financial concerns for years and a sale was almost completed a year ago. This time, no one is talking until the deal is completed. But word has been leaked that plans are to make Plantation an ultra-private, high-line facility. There’s also a rumor that a third nine may be built. Stay tuned.

North and South: Special ceremonies, including a film containing interviews with former champions, will highlight the opening of the 100th Women’s North and South amateur Championship June 23-28 at Pinehurst Country Club.

Meredith Duncan won the event in 2001, defeating Mimi Epps 6 and 5 in the 36-hole finals.

Former champions of the prestigious event include Donna Andrews, Peggy Kirk Bell, Glenna Collett, Carol Semple Thompson, Laura Diaz, Brandi Burton, Patti Rizzo, Beth Bauer, Page Marsh Lea, Kelly Robbins, Louise Suggs, Hollis Stacy, Barbara McIntire and 2000 winner Candy Hannemann of Duke University.

Practice rounds on courses 2 and 8 are scheduled for June 23, followed by qualifying rounds on June 24-25. The first and second rounds of match play will be played June 26, with quarterfinals and semifinals on June 27 and the 36-hole finale on June 28. All of the match play will be held on the No. 2 Course.

The 102nd Men’s North and South is scheduled for June 30-July 5. Michael Sims defeated Bryce Molder in 38 holes last year.

Hyland Hills Pro-Am: The popular Hyland Hills Club Car Pro-Am will be held on June 25. There will be shotgun starts at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and professionals are to  bring three amateurs.

The entry fee is $72 per player and includes breakfast, lunch, a cocktail party and range balls. The format is better-ball of four. For information call host professional Doug Thompson at 692-3752.

SCC Classic: John Dempsey is rightfully proud of the success enjoyed by the Sandhills Community College Foundation Coca-Cola Classic Golf Tournament. Over the past 12 years, the tournament has raised nearly $250,000 for Sandhills students.

Dempsey, president of SCC, is already hard at work promoting the 13th annual event, which will again be held at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club on Monday, Aug. 12.

Money raised by the event is used as scholarship aid for Sandhills students and the format is better-ball of foursome with gross and net divisions. For information, call 695-3706.

Pines Invitational: The 27th annual Pines Invitational Golf Tournament is scheduled for Southern Pines Elks Club July 27-28.

The format is two-man better-ball with the field being flighted following Saturday’s round.

The tournament benefits Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cystis Fibrosis Foundation, N.C. Jaycee Burn Center, Boys Home of North Carolina and local community support.

The entry fee is $140 per player and includes carts and beverages for both days, lunch on Saturday, trophies and prizes, a shirt and a welcome bag.

The field is limited to the first 124 entries and preferred pairings will be considered for Saturday’s round. For information, call Michael Frye at 692-6542, or Rick Noyes at 295-7315.

KMCB Follow: The annual Marge Owings Memorial Keep Moore County Beautiful tournament is laying unofficial claim to being the largest charity golf event held in the state.

The event proved so popular this year that it drew a field of 400 players, using three shotgun starts over two days at Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club.