Never mind that just across the street, its sister course, Pine Needles, is hosting the U.S. Women’s Open. Nothing that somewhat tomboyish course does is going to alter the lifestyle of this lady.
The Peggy Kirk Bell family owns both Mid Pines and Pine Needles, but while both courses were designed by the late and great Donald Ross, they’re as different as real-life sisters. There is definitely a family resemblance, but there is no questioning their individuality.
Mid Pines is the elder of the sisters, and while she probably will never host a U.S. Open, has her own legacy. Pine Needles may boast one of the strongest golf courses in the area and be able to sell more corporate tents than any Women’s Open site in history, but that doesn’t put Mid Pines’ nose out of joint.
She goes her own way, offering one of the more elegant hotels in the area. And while the course was never designed with an Open in mind, it is still one of the classics — a delight to play and all Donald Ross from its tees to its greens.
Mid Pines opened in 1921 and Pine Needles in 1928. Both courses were shut down during World War II and used as military bases. When they were preparing to open in 1944, Ross suggested to friends Frank and Maisie Cosgrove that Mid Pines might be a good place for them.
The Cosgroves leased the facility and spent the next 29 years there. The army stay had not been good to Mid Pines, and even the interior of the hotel had been painted beige. The course had been allowed to grow up and was in horrible shape.
But the Cosgroves patiently nursed it back to health, and in 1953 joined with a young married couple, Peggy and Warren Bell, in buying Pine Needles. It was the beginning of a union that would end with the Bell family owning both courses in 1994 after forming a partnership with businessmen Sonny Ridenhour and Jack Campbell of High Point.
“It was about a three-year deal,” said Kelly Miller, chief operating officer of the company. “Mid Pines was owned by Quality Inn and never really fit into their scheme. For them, the hotel and the golf course were kind of like a square peg in a round hole.”
Helen Downie, who was manager of Mid Pines was retained and continues to do an excellent job, according to Miller. Chip King, who was head professional at Mid Pines, is director of golf for Mid Pines and Pine Needles, with offices at Pine Needles.
One of the charms of Mid Pines is its ability to lure people back again and again. Some groups have been coming to the resort on an annual basis for some 40 years. They never tire of the visit.
“I love our customers,” Downie said. “We’re friends serving friends. We have a wonderful staff here and our guests feel at home.”
More than $3 million was spent on restoration and renovations at Mid Pines and its obvious. The hotel has been completely refurbished and the golf course, under the care of David Fruchte, has never been in better condition.
“There’s a certain pride about owning something like Mid Pines,” Ridenhour said. “It’s a masterpiece. You can’t replace that thing. You can’t build a Donald Ross course now.”
Mid Pines isn’t an overly long course, but it’s no piece of cake, either. The trademark Donald Ross greens make it a challenge and it holds its own against the best golfers in the world.
Many Carolinas PGA Section events are held at Mid Pines, as well as the LPGA Club Professional event that returns this year. It is also scheduled to host the U.S. women’s Senior Amateur Oct. 5-10, 2002.
