In an effort to expand its impact in golf and extend its mission to champion and advance the game, the USGA will establish “Golf House Pinehurst” in North Carolina, to include a new equipment-testing facility, innovation hub, museum/visitor center and offices by 2023, and host five U.S. Open Championships in the golf-rich state by 2047.
The announcement adds four U.S. Open Championships to be contested on the famed Pinehurst No. 2 course – in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047 – to the already scheduled 2024 event. The decision accelerates the USGA’s strategy to stage its premier golf championship at America’s most iconic venues with greater frequency. By doing so, Pinehurst Resort & Country Club will serve as the USGA’s first anchor site for the U.S. Open.
“There is no better place for the USGA to plant new roots than the Home of American Golf,” said Mike Davis, CEO of the USGA. “Thanks to the vision of North Carolina, Moore County and Pinehurst leaders, we are taking a bold step forward and forging a long-term commitment that will elevate our championships, foster greater innovation in golf, and ultimately help grow the game.”
“The USGA’s North Carolina history in golf is legendary, from Arnold Palmer to Webb Simpson, and we welcome this new chapter in golf history with the USGA’s new hub in Pinehurst,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “We welcome the USGA’s selection of our state for this significant new component of its operations and new jobs, and look forward to growing with the game across North Carolina.”
“The USGA’s plans for this significant new presence in Pinehurst elevates the Village’s reputation in the golf world and enhances North Carolina’s prestige as a destination for both businesses and tourists,” said Commerce Secretary Anthony Copeland. “Today’s news will add new energy to the leisure and hospitality services and significantly contribute to the long-term recovery of that important segment of our economy.”
The plan, conceived over the last several years, came to fruition through a comprehensive economic development effort that involved representatives from the North Carolina General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Department of Commerce, Moore County, the Village of Pinehurst and economic development experts.
The total $25 million investment over the next several years includes the construction of two buildings to be located near the clubhouse on the historic Pinehurst Resort property, housing 50 full-time USGA staff members.
The campus will feature the USGA's Equipment Standards Test Center - a laboratory dedicated to testing golf balls and clubs for conformance to the Rules of Golf. It will replace the current facility on the USGA's Liberty Corner campus and enable significant new investment in advanced technology required to perform this global governance function.
Pinehurst will also serve as the USGA’s base for its work to advance the game of golf through innovation, research and science, in collaboration with some of the state’s leading universities.
A USGA Golf Museum experience will also be added, giving visitors a chance to delve into the association’s premier collection of golf artifacts and connect them more deeply with the game’s rich history.
Independent studies estimate that the total economic impact of the USGA’s long-term presence will exceed $2 billion to the state of North Carolina. More than 1 million visitors travel to Pinehurst annually.
The USGA, the Village of Pinehurst and Pinehurst Resort all celebrate their 125th anniversaries this year.
“The USGA and Pinehurst Resort have a deep and storied history of partnering to foster the game of golf and crown its greatest champions,” said Bob Dedman, Jr., speaking on behalf of the Dedman family, which owns Pinehurst Resort. “We are honored to be selected as the U.S. Open’s first anchor site, an unprecedented distinction and testament to Pinehurst No. 2’s legacy and future as a championship test for the world’s greatest golfers.”
“While so much of the game’s history is rooted in timeless traditions, both the USGA and Pinehurst have embraced innovation in golf course architecture, agronomy, equipment design, player development and the Rules of the game,” added Dedman. “We’re excited to work with the USGA as they create leading edge equipment and training facilities to advance the game, as well as a new visitor center to link the past to the present and future.”
Championship Commitment
In addition to four newly scheduled U.S. Opens, the USGA will bring its other premier championships to the state at an increased rate, including, but not limited to, the U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Women’s Amateur, U.S. Junior and U.S. Girls’ Junior.
Increased championship frequency will allow the USGA and Pinehurst to make future investments that will enhance the association’s ability to create a first-class player, corporate partner, fan, volunteer and media championship experience. The streamlining of operating costs due to the permanent presence will also allow the USGA to increase its annual investment in the game.
North Carolina has hosted 33 USGA championships since 1955, including last year’s U.S. Amateur Championship at Pinehurst Resort. The 2021 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship will be conducted at the Country Club of North Carolina in Pinehurst and the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open will be played at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in nearby Southern Pines before the U.S. Open returns to Pinehurst No. 2 for its fourth playing in 2024.
Association Offices
Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2022. Formal design plans are not complete; however, the new buildings will be no more than two stories tall and reflect the aesthetic of the village and Pinehurst Resort.
USGA staffers based in Pinehurst will include members of the championship operations, Research and Test Center and Green Section teams. The number represents approximately 15 percent of the USGA’s current workforce and will include some of the game’s foremost scientific and golf management experts.
The administrative building in Pinehurst will feature educational exhibits and memorabilia from the USGA Golf Museum and Library in Liberty Corner, which serves as the primary repository of golf history and learning in the world.
The majority of USGA staff will continue to be based at the association’s main campus in New Jersey.
Other U.S. Open “Anchor Sites”
The spotlight today was on Pinehurst alone, but there was a natural curiosity about other historic courses who might be designated as anchor sites in the future.
When asked what other courses would be considered, USGA Executive Director Mike Davis said, "None specifically yet, but we want to go to the most treasured sites and invest in those sites more often so fans can experience them more often." Davis also spoke of favoring wide open spaces and infrastructures speaking of U.S. Open scheduling to accommodate fans.
USGA Chief Brand Officer Craig Annis also said of future U.S. Open scheduling, "Fewer places, more frequently. We want fans to gain a more intimate knowledge of the course. We're going to be working on some other agreements with other host clubs for longer term deals as well to round out the plan for where we go. But it certainly represents a strategic shift for us."
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