March | 2019 | Garden Club of the Sandhills

Kirk Adkins, retired international executive and agronomist, really kept our attention throughout his amazing program on “The Art and Science Behind the Preparation of the Pinehurst #2 Course for the 2014 US Open”.

Thanks, Victoria for convincing Kirk to make this presentation!

We learned that preparation actually started YEARS in advance on the course. We were all aware of the complete renovation of number 2, but the facts around how the USGA actually does so much to insure the course is especially tough (protecting PAR) were amazing. Kirk shared with us many of the tools used by the course team. He also told us that while the course we know and love (?) has a year-round staff of 22, the numbers skyrocketed during the Open to make it fast and exceedingly difficult. We learned about the special silicone sand used to make the greens extra fast and the fact that “Yellow is the new Green” (our hostesses, dressed for St. Patty’s Day, obviously didn’t get the word).

Sharon, Cav, Pat Rudovsky and Dolores were our hostesses. Char provided at lot of the Irish charm but couldn’t join us due to Jim’s surgery! Thank you all!

Thanks Kirk for the fabulous learning experience!!!

What creative table decorations we had for the delightful refreshments!

It was a St. Patrick’s Day feast! Thanks ladies

Cav’s golfers and the shamrock tree put together by Dolores stole the show!

Linda and Marilyn had good news about our status and particularly Art in Bloom!

Marillee, Martha, Hartley and Lydia enjoyed the Irish feast presented by our hostesses

We had HUSBANDS with us for this open meeting – it must have been the topic. Thanks, ,Nancy, for bringing Doug along!

Rita, Thea and Malinda’s stylish clothing showed that we were dealing with a typical Pinehurst “pre-spring” weather situation!

Before we adjourned Linda shared more news about our Art in Bloom event in April. We made the cover of Pinestraw! What a coups! As a reminder, there’s still time to get your check in to Marilyn for the Friday evening reception, and the Saturday/Sunday viewing is free! Bring a friend… and tell your friends!

First, an apology to our blog readers for the late posting of the February meeting. Travel and illness left your contributor very much behind. Also our thanks to AB for handling photography duties in Dolores’ absence!

Local Farm Owner, Ben Presley, joined us to share the state of the local Moore County Farmer, for a program entitled “Know Your Food – Where it Came From and How it was Handled Before it Reaches Your Table”.

We learned so much during this presentation. Ben shared the background of his family’s farm… where it came from (tobacco) and where it is today (organic, serving the finest restaurants in the community with farm to table ingredients, flowers/farmers markets, and even a venture into hemp). The hours and effort are tremendous. These farmers need our support throughout the year if we are to hope for a next generation to succeed this one. Thanks, Ben, for the wake-up call!