Now that the golfing world’s focus has shifted from the U.S. Open at Pinehurst last week, it may be time to introduce readers to one of the Sandhills’ best-kept secrets.

Nestled among the longleaf pines just 10 miles from Pinehurst is Seven Lakes Country Club. Designed by Peter V. Tufts, great-grandson of the founder of the Carolinas’ most famous resort, this 21-year-old course reflects the traditions of the great Scottish golf architects of the early 1900s.

According to Tufts, Donald Ross, the famous designer of Pinehurst’s renowned No. 2 course and site of the U.S. Open, believed every golfer, regardless of handicap, appreciated a challenge. Certainly, Seven Lakes fits this description.

Playing just under 7,000 yards from the "tips" with water coming into play on nine of the 18 holes, it’s a magnificent challenge for the most skilled of players. At a recent pro-am held there, local professionals were heard telling first-time players that Seven Lakes compared favorably with Ross’s courses, many of which cost upwards of $100 to play.

While the men’s tees are scaled back to 6,151 yards and the women’s to slightly less than 5,200, the course is fair but still formidable. Don Farr, Seven Lakes head professional for the past nine years, says, "I’m constantly amazed at the number of times I hear members commenting to each other how they never get tired of playing this course."

Tufts utilized the local natural beauty of the Sandhills superbly, laying out the course in such a manner as to have its share of both uphill and downhill lies. The signature hole, the 533-yard, par-5 11th, requires a tee shot with a 175-yard carry from the championship tees. Playing at 467 yards for members, the teeing area is on an island tee and plays entirely uphill, often into the wind.

According to Golf magazine, "For sheer visual impact, No. 11 is a real eye-opener."

Rated as a 3½-star golf course by Golf Digest, the support facilities are first rate, too. The membership recently invested $650,000 in renovations that include the clubhouse, pro shop, business offices and maintenance buildings. These were completed in April.

Membership at Seven Lakes also includes an upscale tennis facility that contains six Har-True outdoor clay courts.

"We’ve just completed our annual Spring Senior Tournament, which included more than 125 ranked players from North and South Carolina, " said Mike Harris, director of tennis. "This tradition was begun in 1979 when Stan Smith defeated Wimbledon finalist Roscoe Tanner here to become the Seven Lakes champion."

Uniquely located in the Seven Lakes community, the club has the benefit of being part of a gated and secure housing complex. Part of the amenities include boating –– there are eight lakes on the property –– a swimming pool, horseback riding and well-planned and supervised youth activities.

"Many people in this part of the state are unaware that there is a member-owned club of this caliber that is nearby the more expensive and crowded resort courses in the area," said club president DeWitt Petterson. "And they certainly aren’t aware that our club is financially attractive. Being a part of this fabulous community is just frosting on the cake."

Seven Lakes also features outstanding dining, with both a luncheon chef and a dinner chef. Special weekend entertainment is also available. A membership drive is currently being undertaken and interested parties may contact club manager Oz Hamzah at 673-1088.

Rollin Tomberlin is publicity and marketing chairman of Seven Lakes Country Club.