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First opened more than a century ago, this elegant golf resort anchors an extraordinary concentration of 43 courses located within a 15-mile radius in the Sandhill region of central North Carolina. With an astonishing 144 holes on eight impeccably maintained courses, Pinehurst Resort offers a range of options for players at all levels, including a unique opportunity to play on the site of the 2005 U.S. Open.

Pinehurst's premier 18-hole course, simply known as Course No. 2, is generally ranked among the top 10 courses in the country and has hosted more championships than any other golfing venue in the United States. The traditional American design by pioneering architect Donald Ross dates all the way back to 1907, yet remains fresh and challenging from start to finish, with a highly strategic layout that requires distance and accuracy on drives, and absolute precision as you approach the devilishly crowned greens.

Course No. 2 may be the star of Pinehurst, but the supporting cast deserves generous accolades as well. Look for two other vintage layouts by Donald Ross (Nos. 1 and 3); two contemporary championship courses by Tom Fazio (Nos. 4, 8), plus one course on which Fazio collaborated with his uncle, George Fazio; a 1961 Ellis Maples design featuring abundant water hazards (No. 5); and a rugged, dramatically landscaped Rees Jones design opened in 1986 and significantly renovated in 2003. In addition to the eight courses, Pinehurst Resort operates an extensive golf education program with a choice of individual or group lessons. For more information, see www.pinehurst.com.