The United States Golf Association (USGA) officially opened Golf House Pinehurst, its seven-acre campus adjacent to the Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s main clubhouse. The new location includes the Association’s equipment-testing and research facility, the USGA Experience, an outdoor educational landscape feature, the recently relocated World Golf Hall of Fame, and administrative offices.

“When I joined the USGA, I shared with our internal teammates that while the USGA will always celebrate history, we’re not going to be afraid to make some. Today is proof positive that we’re just getting started,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA, during the Grand Opening Celebration that took place on May 12. “In four years, we’ve gone from vision to reality, and achieving this important milestone is the action of more than a visitor, but a neighbor. Together, we’re going to do great things for the good of the game that will live on for another 20, 50 years and beyond.”

Following the ceremony with representatives from the State of North Carolina, Moore County, the Village of Pinehurst, and other dignitaries, the USGA gave attendees a firsthand look at the campus and features, including:

  • The USGA Experience, the immersive view of golf, and the USGA’s work to unify, showcase, govern and advance the game. The Science of Golf and Championship galleries feature interactive multimedia displays that incorporate AI, interactive touch screens, sculptures, and trophies;
  • The World Golf Hall of Fame, where fans can see and read about the legacies of those who made the game great;
  • USGA Golf Museum Special Exhibitions that highlight the USGA’s comprehensive collection of collection of golf artifacts;
  • The USGA’s Research and Test Center, the only one in North America dedicated to testing golf balls and clubs for conformance to the rules of golf;
  • The Glade, the USGA’s outdoor learning landscape to help elevate awareness of the USGA’s ongoing work to help make golf more sustainable, with native plants and pollinator habitats;
  • The Grove, a restoration of the ancient longleaf pine forest native to the region through a partnership with NC State University; and
  • The USGA Shop where the association sells branded golf products and exhibit-related specialty items.

Golf House Pinehurst was made possible by the economic development effort involving representatives from the North Carolina General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Moore County, the Village of Pinehurst, and economic development experts. The Pinehurst Resort & Country Club gave the land to the USGA for a 150-year term.

According to the USGA, independent studies estimate that the total economic impact of the association’s long-term presence in Pinehurst, combined with the USGA championships it will bring as a designated anchor site, will exceed $2 billion to North Carolina.”

The USGA announced 12 future championships at Pinehurst Resort, including the 2024 U.S. Open (June 13-16) and the return of the back-to-back U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Open in 2029, previously conducted at Pinehurst in 2014.

USGA staffers based in Pinehurst total 70 full-time employees working in championship operations, equipment standards, player Development, green section teams, and scientific and golf management experts. 

The campus compliments, but does not replicate, the Association’s headquarters in Liberty Corner, N.J.

The USGA Experience and World Golf Hall of Fame is open to the public at from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST Wednesday through Sunday, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The Association is not charging admission in June to honor the grand opening. To learn more, go here.

Image courtesy USGA