Experiencing Pinehurst Golf
THE TRAVELING CHEFS ARE EXPERIENCING PINEHURST GOLF
When The Traveling Chefs’ son Stephen has learned that his parents were going on vacation close to Pinehurst, he told his dad to play golf there. “I’ll pay for it Dad,” he urged him. You should be experiencing Pinehurst golf! Don’t miss that, he said.
Playing golf at Pinehurst, NC has been one of Chef Pedro’s dreams. A golden opportunity came when he and his wife decided to have their 2-week vacation in Jackson Springs, which is only 11 minutes by car to Pinehurst.
A couple of days after they arrived in Sycamore Lodge, The Traveling Chefs visited Pinehurst to inquire about playing at Pinehurst Golf Club, the cradle of American golf. After a tour of the place, Chef Pedro got a reservation to play The Cradle, a 9-hole Par 3 golf course on September 15, 2020. He opted to play the Cradle because he believed his game is not up to speed with Pinehurst #2 yet.
THE ALLURE OF PINEHURST COURSE #2
The thought of playing Course No. 2 has occurred in his mind. Stephen reminded him to play this course. Of the 9 18-hole golf courses in Pinehurst Resort, Course #2, designed by Donald Ross, has achieved the most fame.
Both Stephen and Chef Pedro have watched on TV when Payne Stewart won the US Open in 1999 against Phil Mickelson there. That was the second major Pinehurst has staged.
“About 1200 people play here everyday,” said an employee who befriended Chef Pedro. He said he is a self-taught golfer with a single handicap. He moaned the fact that his son is not into golf. Because of COVID-19, he said the number of people playing golf there daily went down to about 800.
THE JOY OF PLAYING PINEHURST GOLF
Chef Pedro’s amateurish swing still enabled him to hit the greens in the Cradle 80% of the time. His success is due mainly to the fact that all its greens are huge. You might suspect then that he scored well. Not at all! His putting was terrible. He found the greens fast, challenging, and difficult to read. But he was one happy camper.
His heart was pounding throughout the game. He cannot believe he was actually playing in the birthplace of golf in the US. One can play the Cradle as many rounds as he likes for one time payment. Chef Pedro played the course twice. The first time though was the best, he thought on his way to the club where Chef Alicia waited for him. His heart was full of gratitude.
PUTTING WITH Chef Alicia AT THISTLE DHU
He then played putting with her in the famous Thistle Dhu, an 18-Hole Putting Course. It is free to play for guests of any playing level. Chef Alicia didn’t know she can putt well prior to that day, something that surprised Chef Pedro, as well.
“I wish Stephen and Michael are here, Dad,” she told him. “That’s my wish too,” he said. While walking back to their RV, they made a promise to bring their sons there someday.
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Posted on Categories Family, Relationship, Travel