Jim Hinckley used to unload golf clubs from the trunk of Jack Q. Public’s Buick at Porter Valley Country Club. Now he has lunch at the home of Jack Nicklaus in Palm Beach.

That’s what 29 years of working for Robert Dedman’s ClubCorp International will do for a guy.

"I’ve been working for the company since I was 14," Hinckley, now president and chief operating officer, said during a recent visit to Pinehurst. "I was a bagboy at Porter Valley in Northridge, Calif., one of ClubCorp’s properties. I worked in the pro shop there and became an assistant pro, then moved to the corporate offices in Dallas."

Robert Dedman Sr. knows how to found a company and how to select people who serve that company well. Hinckley fit the mold — and the rest, as they say, is history.

But what Hinckley and other ClubCorp principals are most interested in is now, as in June 14-20, the week of the 1999 U.S. Open.

"Just the fact that we’re having the U.S. Open here at Pinehurst is incredible," Hinckley said, "and the people of the Open have been blown away by the presentation. When the world sees what happens here in June, it’s going to be an incredible experience."

A U.S. Open in Pinehurst was only a dream in 1984 when ClubCorp sent Hinckley to the resort on a scouting mission.

"I was the first person from our company on the property," Hinckley said. "I’ve been very involved from the beginning and I had the responsibility to make Pinehurst a success. I’m here every two weeks, and there’s a great source of pride in seeing what we’ve accomplished. The U.S. Open just puts a stamp of approval on Pinehurst."

Hinckley credits Pinehurst president Pat Corso for making the dreams and even leading the charge for 10 years," Hinckley said. "He brought Jon Wagner (championship director) on, and that was a great move. I was aware of what was going on and sat in on the strategy meetings, but Pat and Jon knew what they were doing. They’re professionals, and in our company, we don’t operate where someone is looking over their shoulder at everything they do."

The acquisition of Pinehurst by ClubCorp came at a time when the resort was in a down cycle. Changes in ownership had left the clubhouse and six courses in need of repair, and the image as one of the world’s great golf Meccas was in danger of being tarnished.

"It has been a win-win deal," Hinckley said. "Obviously, the success of Pinehurst is pleasing, and I do believe that success has elevated the image of our company. And I know that what happens here in June will continue to elevate that image. Pinehurst is our crown jewel, our most successful property and our most notable property.

"Our mission is to be the world leader in golf, private club and resort experiences. I really believe that after the players and spectators are here in June, they’ll agree that’s what we are."

There will be no resting on laurels after the Open, though. Since ClubCorp took over, the resort has built two new courses, 7 and 8, renovated the others and is currently having No. 4 rebuilt by Tom Fazio.

"We don’t just want to maintain," Hinckley said. "We want to continue to improve. We’ve rebuilt the clubhouses, part of the rooms, the kitchen, replaced floors and roofs. We bought Manor Inn and renovated the Holly Inn.

"When we got here, people used to say Pinehurst’s best days were in the past. Now those people look at it and say the best days are in the future."We put a lot of money back in, but that’s the philosophy of our company. It’s owned by the Dedman family, and we’ve never declared a dividend. Every penny we’ve made has gone back into the property.

"We all take great pride in what we’re doing, and we have a term we call pride in belonging. Members are proud of belonging to our club, and guests are proud that they can come to Pinehurst."

Hinckley’s parents wanted him to have a career in medicine, but he changed directions at the age of 18.

"I wrote my dad a letter and told him I didn’t want to be a doctor, that I was going to have a career in golf," he said. "I’m fortunate that I have a passion for what I do. Mr. Dedman has been like a second father to me, and we’re very, very close. In some ways he treats me like a second son. We talk every day, no matter where we are.

"Obviously, he’s enjoyed great success. He had a plan and knew where he wanted to go. He has some of the best instincts I’ve ever seen, and one of the things I’ve learned from him is to trust my instincts and judgment."

ClubCorp employees pride themselves on a "culture" instilled by Dedman. Part of that culture is being able to tease each other in a way that keeps them from taking themselves too seriously. Another part of that culture is a set of values that they live by.

"There are five values that we preach every day," Hinckley said. "One is personal integrity and character. No. 2 is to remember that our members and guests are king. No. 3 is to plan your work and work your plan. No. 4 is win-win relationships. We can’t win at the expense of someone else. And No. 5 is continuous growth. We want to continue to grow our people, our profits and our company. And we try to hire people to fit that culture."

Hinckley enjoys being a part of that culture as much as he relishes the repuation of Pinehurst Country Club’s No. 2 Course.