On July 18th I ventured south of Durham, North Carolina to Pinehurst. This is a pilgrimage many golfers make to enjoy our great game where Donald Ross gave us courses #1-#4 while embracing course #2 as his masterpiece.
Built in the infant stages of the 20th century, Pinehurst #2 is the only course to have hosted all five of the United States Golf Association’s most important events: the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open, the U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and the U.S. Senior Open. To further crowd its hat of feathers, let’s not forget that #2 also hosted the PGA Championship and the Ryder Cup. So, to say Pinehurst #2 worked itself into being the mecca for golf is one very grand understatement.
But Pinehurst #2 really isn't the story in golf right now. However, Pinehurst's long history within our game certainly has jumped to the forefront...again.
With all the talk about the LIV Tour, one might think it is the major story in golf right now. I assure you it isn’t. This story belongs to the United States Golf Association. The USGA felt that the historical aspect of Pinehurst suited it well for one of its newest events and that the #6 course was worthy of hosting it.
Upon my arrival, everything about #6 looked like a national championship was being played there. From the press tent to the green and tee signs to a neatly dressed driving range with placards awaiting the name of the next competitor to practice, there was no confusing that what was going on at #6 was something very special.
You may have heard of it, the first annual USGA Adaptive Open. Finally, golf is on the grander scale of inclusiveness.
