By Gilbert Baez, WRAL Fayetteville reporter; Pat Welter, WRAL Sports

Pinehurst, N.C. — U.S. Open Media Day was Monday at Pinehurst No. 2, just weeks away from one of golf’s most anticipated events.

Pinehurst is often called the cradle of American golf.

“Pinehurst is special in so many ways,” said John Bodenhamer with the USGA. “I think it’s the history. For architect Donald Ross, this was his masterpiece.”

Pinehurst last hosted the men’s Open in 2014 and hosted the women’s Open in 2022. The signature features include hard and fast greens that sometimes send putts wayward.

“You have to, every hole, make sure you hit it in play and then you got to be smart where you leave it on the green,” said 2023 U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark. “From there, the greens are so fast.”

WRAL Sports reporter Pat Welter was asking the golf Gods for mercy on Monday while playing a practice round. He wasn’t the first and won’t be the last.

“From the sand traps to the greens, this course will take everything you got,” Welter said.

The 2024 Open is scheduled for Father’s Day weekend – June 13-16 – and is the fourth U.S. Open and 11th USGA championship at Pinehurst. Pinehurst will also host in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047.

Nine-figure economic impact a huge deal for Moore County

A look around golf’s mecca will also show some of the economic benefits the event will bring to Moore County. Tons of fans will flock to the Sandhills and generate a boost for the area. Fans know Pinehurst for hosting Payne Stewart’s historic win in 1999 months before he tragically died in a plane crash.

“To see the Payne Stewart statue out front and the memories that have been created here,” said golfer Joe Jaunch. “To actually see it on TV and see it from afar and follow it throughout the years and to actually be here now is something special.”

“To be at the world-renowned Pinehurst is a treat for me and three of my good friends who are getting in a few rounds together,” said golf fan Jimmy Kemp.

Their visit will play out countless times come Father’s Day weekend. The PGA Tour is expecting close to 250,000 people at this year’s championship. It’ll generate millions of dollars for Moore County restaurants, motels and local merchants.

“We can figure anywhere between the range of $150 million to $190 million with this being one of our biggest championships,” said Reg Jones, U.S. Open Championship Managing Director. “I certainly feel like it’s going to be on the higher end.”

The new 1895 Club will generate lots of cash at Hole 18. It’s premium seating in a climate-controlled atmosphere with a ton of amenities.

The PGA is investing big bucks at Pinehurst as well.

“It’s what we call Golf House Pinehurst,” Jones said. “And it’s our second home. Our headquarters is up in New Jersey… but now we have 70 of our staff, about 25 percent of the entire team is now headquartered here in Pinehurst.”

To give you an idea how lucrative the U.S. Open is, the most exclusive premium tickets are in the 1895 Club. A 5-day pass will set you back $11,000. Thursday and Friday are already sold out.

You can still get those tickets for Saturday and Sunday for $2,500 each.

Source: wralsportsfan.com