My visit was to the Mid Pines Hotel and Golf Resort, just a few miles out of town. A marvellous hotel with two spectacular courses, both designed by Donald Ross in the 1920?s, Mid Pines and Pine Needles. The area is known as the sandbelt, and there are over forty top class course within a few miles radius. For five days we wallowed in the delights of superb greens and stunning architecture and scenery, like a series of Augusta's, all the more appreciated after a visit to the home of The Masters itself.

The Resort is no stranger to major events, and the US Women's Open is returning for the third time in June this year. The stars have certainly enjoyed this location. The complex has been owned by the Bell family since 1953, and the family are actively engaged in the running of the twin resorts. Peggy Kirk Bell was a founder member of the LPGA Tour, and is being honoured this year with an award for outstanding contributions to the game, she will become PGA First Lady of Golf 2007..

There is a choice of accommodation, with hotels/lodges at both, and it is also possible to rent the bungalows and houses which are alongside the tenth fairway. Whichever option is taken the accommodation is sumptious, the service of the highest order, and the food excellent. It is impossible to describe the place in anything but the highest praise. Couple that with two outstanding golf courses, both of which have hosted championship events. Following multi million dollar major refurbishment programmes for both the courses and the buildings, the resort satisfies every need. The practice facilities are second to none, and at Mid Pines it is possible to walk and play, the plants and flowers in the spring are just breathtaking.

The maitre d'hotel at Mid Pines is French, and Phillipe Brainos brings all the European charm to the task.

Mid Pines is a par 72, it is 6598 yards from the back tees, the task is to keep the ball on the fairways, because once into the pine straw which is the covering under the trees, or the waste areas, it is difficult to make pars. As with many American courses, there is water, and the tee shots are testing. The bunkers have excellent sand, but with the Ross penchant for upturned saucer greens and steep run offs, it can be difficult to stay out of them. The azaleas and pink and white dogwoods are everywhere, making each hole a splash of colour.

Just across the road is Pine Needles, which is the more difficult of the two courses, it is being prepared for the US Women's Open. It can stretch to over 7000 yards, and the greens are very fast and contoured, quite a task for the amateur golfer, but capable of being managed from the front tees. It is regularly ranked among the finest courses in North Carolina, in 2004 it was totally re-grassed with Bermuda grass on the fairways, and A1 Bent grass on the greens. The combination offers the an outstanding blend of playing surfaces, but the most important things is that despite the works, the essence of the Donald Ross design has been maintained. A tribute to the skill of the original architect.

For the golfer who is seeking a new challenge, a visit to Mid Pines or Pine Needles will be most rewarding. Pinehurst is just down the road, memories of 1999 and Payne Stewart?s Open victory are preserved with a lifesized statue outside the clubhouse. The museum of artefacts housed there is well worth the visit.