The 2005 U.S. OPEN Championship: A Return
to Pinehurst
From June 13-19, 2005, Pinehurst will
once again have the honor of hosting
the U.S. OPEN Championship. The resort
became a part of American golf history
when Payne Stewart captured this same
title in Pinehurst in 1999. Stewart's
15-foot putt on the final hole secured
his 2nd U.S. OPEN title and marked one
of the most dramatic and memorable moments
in U.S. OPEN history. The 2005 U.S.
OPEN represents the quickest turnaround
to a host site since 1946.
Donald Ross' most lasting design
treasure remains Pinehurst No. 2.
Built by hand and mule, the course
was first laid out in 1903 and was
officially opened in 1907. Pinehurst
No. 2 was rebuilt in 1935 to remove
the sand greens that had been a part
of the course from its inception,
to add grass greens and make it Championship
caliber. During the reconstruction,
the golf course was lengthened and
the greens completely rebuilt. The
rebuilt greens quickly became the
trademark of No. 2.
Donald Ross lived just off the 3rd
green until his death in 1948 and
was known to spend much of his time
fine-tuning the contoured greens of
Course No. 2. In preparation for the
1999 U.S. OPEN, the greens were restored
and resized to Ross' original blueprint
specifications.
Having always been the jewel of the
Pinehurst collection, No. 2 has hosted
a number of major championships including:
1936 PGA Championship
1951 Ryder Cup Matches
1962 U.S. Amateur Championship
1973-1982 PGA Tour Event
1989 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship
1991 Tour Championship
1992 Tour Championship
1994 U.S. Senior OPEN Championship
1999 U.S. OPEN Championship
2005 U.S. OPEN Championship
Word of the announcement in 2000
quickly spread through Pinehurst and
the surrounding area. Pinehurst Resort
officials were soon on a plane to
San Francisco to finalize details
of the arrangement. The Convention
& Visitors Bureau for the Pinehurst,
Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area began
in earnest its job to assist in securing
the necessary hotel rooms -- which
were expected to exceed 15,000 per
day for the 2005 event. Even Tufts
Archives, who worked very closely
with the media to supply historical
photos and facts, is gearing up for
the requests for information and research
assistance.
According to Pinehurst Championship
Management Director Reg Jones, the
2005 event will utilize the services
of 5200 volunteers. "We're very
fortunate to have the volunteer base
we have here in the area", said
Jones. The course will accommodate
30,000 spectators daily and a sellout
is certain.
"Besides the increased awareness
of North Carolina's great golf product,
the 1999 U.S. Open provided a substantial
economic boost to the state,"
said Lynn Minges, Executive Director
of the North Carolina Division of
Tourism, Film and Sports Development.
"From hotel room rental to restaurant
and retail revenue, visitors to North
Carolina had a total impact exceeding
$120 million."
"We're very honored and pleased,"
said Caleb Miles, President/CEO for
the Convention & Visitors Bureau.
"It confirms the categorical
success of the 1999 Open. Across the
board, the USGA, the players, media,
and spectators all expressed their
appreciation. That is very gratifying
for our community and for the state.
And the real payoff is this attention
has translated into increased visitation
to our golf destination. People want
to recreate the U.S. Open experience
here on their own terms. As successful
as the 1999 Open was, the 2005 Open
has the potential to be even better
because of the experience gained in
1999."
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