The Pinecrest Inn
"Afterward, as a nightcap to a fine evening, I proposed that we take a crack at the Pine Crest's infamous Chipping Board."(Page 133)

The Pine Crest Inn sits within strolling distance of the Village of Pinehurst, with its inviting antique shops, delightful specialty stores, sumptuous dining and so much more -- reminiscent of a more genteel time years ago.

Owned for the last 40 years by Bob Barrett, the Pine Crest Inn is managed today by Bob's son, Peter, and staffed by people who care about guest's comfort and pleasure, The Pine Crest Inn was previously owned for 27 years (until his death in 1948) by legendary international golf course architect, Donald Ross.

If you're looking for the soul of golf, you might find it at the Pine Crest Inn. The inn has been praised by guests and the media for its "traditional flavor and hospitable charm." Locals and guests alike gather in Mr. B's bar to quench their thirst, with Carl Wood, Scott Patera, and Brenda J. presiding behind the bar. The lobby is decorated with photos and paintings of Donald Ross. There is also a piano bar which is frequently put to good use by pianist Clarence Levine who plays a mean keyboard and evokes song and dance whenever he plays.

The Pine Crest Inn creates an atmosphere that is charming, gracious and relaxing. There are plenty of ways for guests to enjoy their time, including the an informal parlor game known as "the chipping board," where guests are invited to chip golf balls into the fireplace from a distance of ten feet, through an eight inch hole in a piece of plywood -- a rite of passage since the 60s. Ben Crenshaw is said to have accomplished a perfect ten-out-of-ten -- a feat Payne Stewart duplicated on the day before he won the U.S. Open in 1999.

LINK: www.pinecrestinn.com