ROYAL DORNOCH WISHES PINEHURST WELL FOR THE LATEST MAJOR

THE 2024 US Open Championship is being staged at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club from June 13-16.

Given the close ties between the Highlands of Scotland and the North Carolina “Cradle of American Golf,” Royal Dornoch captain Professor David Bell (pictured right) has sent messages wishing the hosts well on what will be the fourth time Pinehurst has welcomed the Major in the past 25 years.

“The world’s finest golfers will be pitting their wits against the celebrated Pinehurst No. 2 course, which is generally regarded as the enduring masterpiece of the many hundreds of courses created in North America and beyond by renowned architect Donald Ross,” said Professor Bell.

The looming US Open marks the 175th USGA event to be hosted by a course designed by Ross.

“Donald Ross, of course, is a son of Dornoch and our first ever professional and ‘keeper of the green.’ He enjoyed lifelong ties to the golf club where he first fell in love with the game Scotland gave to the world,” continued Professor Bell.

“Ross even named his long-time home near the third green at Pinehurst No.2 Dornoch.

“The highly acclaimed links of Royal Dornoch, which bear the imprint of Old Tom Morris, heavily influenced his architecture and the links between Dornoch, Pinehurst and the Country Club of North Carolina have been nurtured over many, many years.

“The Tufts family, who developed Pinehurst, played an integral role in bringing Royal Dornoch to the attention of generations of American golfers.

“Last year, we welcomed Pinehurst Mayor John Strickland to Dornoch and the golf club.

“He and town provost Paddy Murray signed an agreement under the banner ‘Donald Ross: Birthplace to Workplace’ that will strengthen bonds between the two communities.

“Our members also enjoy the annual matches with our friends at the Country Club of North Carolina and we will be taking a special interest in the action from the US Open as it unfolds.”