Pinehurst in Pinehurst, North Carolina A perfect golf resort to tee it up. From the March 24, 2003 Issue of New York Pinehurst is no secret: With eight eighteen-hole courses and two more on the way, it’s the largest golf resort in the country. But this is one case where bigger is indeed better. Pinehurst has it all: quality, variety, and history. Pinehurst No. 2, the first course built by Donald Ross, introduced high-quality public golf to these shores. Today it remains by far the easiest U.S. Open site for nonprofessionals to play. The heralded Centennial (No. 8), the just-rebuilt No. 4, and the challenging No. 7 are all first-rate as well. Stay at the grand Carolina Hotel or the intimate Holly Inn. — Larry Olmstead and Aric Chen Details Several carriers offer nonstop service from LaGuardia and Newark to Raleigh-Durham, about an hour-and-a-half drive from Pinehurst (800-ITS-GOLF; pinehurst.com). Doubles start at $321 until May 31 ($236 after June 1), and include meals and daily rounds on the four marquee courses.