Pinehurst & Southern Pines in Moore County, NC Named Prettiest Small Towns

Dec. 29, 2009 - PRLog -- A recent poll named 2 towns in Moore County among the top 10 prettiest small towns in North Carolina. Out of 45 NC towns with populations less than 15,000, Pinehurst was voted #2 and Southern Pines #9 based on charm, character, historic homes, landscapes, architecture and commitment to preservation, among other factors.

The poll of 32 in-state journalists was conducted by writer Bill Hensley of Charlotte, former director of the NC Division of Travel & Tourism.

In addition to the Village of Pinehurst and the Town of Southern Pines, the Town of Cameron, also in Moore County, received a number of votes in the poll.

The Village of Pinehurst is a scenic resort community in southern Moore County.  It is best known as home to the world-renowned No. 2 golf course, host to the 1999 and 2005 U.S. Men’s Open Championship, among many other golfing events and tournaments.  The U.S. Men's Open, as well as the U.S. Women's Open, will both be played at Pinehurst No. 2 back-to-back in 2014, which is unprecedented in golf history.  The No. 2 course is one of 43 golf courses located throughout Moore County, albeit the most prestigious one!

Pinehurst Resort, with the beautiful Carolina Hotel and luxurious Spa at Pinehurst, includes courses No. 1 through 8.  In 1996, the Village of Pinehurst and Pinehurst Resort were given National Landmark status for their significant role in U.S. golf history.  This is the only golf-related designation of its kind in the United States.

The heart of the Village is a unique array of shops and bistros that offers something for everyone.  Residents and visitors alike notice and appreciate the special ambiance and natural beauty of Pinehurst.

The Town of Southern Pines is the largest municipality in Moore County and is nationally known for its equestrian activity and beautiful, expansive horse farms.  At the heart of Southern Pines' "Horse Country" are 2 pristine nature preserves totaling 4,900 acres and offering miles of riding trails.

The downtown area features a myriad of picturesque shops, cafes and professional businesses.  The Town uniquely combines a thriving commercial and industrial base with a diversity of cultural, historical and recreational offerings.  Southern Pines is also home to Pine Needles Resort & Golf Club, host to the 1996, 2001 and 2007 U.S. Women’s Open Championships.

In addition to the "Prettiest Small Towns" designation, the Pinehurst - Southern Pines area has also been ranked as #24 in Economic Strength out of 574 areas throughout the United States with populations between 10,000 and 50,000.  This 2009 ranking by POLICOM Corporation puts the Pinehurst - Southern Pines area high on the national list of communities with a stable economy consistently growing both in size and quality, enabling residents to enjoy a higher quality of living and less economic volatility.

"The accolades Pinehurst and Southern Pines have received simply reaffirm what residents here already know", said Ray Ogden, Executive Director of Moore County Partners in Progress.  "The enviable quality of life here is our greatest asset, and Moore County is a great place to live, work and play!"

Partners in Progress is the economic development organization that serves all of Moore County, North Carolina to improve the quality of life for our citizens through new business recruitment and existing business expansion. For more information about Moore County, Pinehurst or Southern Pines, visit http://www.moorebusiness.org or call 1-800-461-3755.  Additional news releases from Partners in Progress are at the following link:  http://www.moorebusiness.org/in-the-news/.

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About Moore County Partners in Progress: Partners in Progress is the economic development organization serving all of Moore County, North Carolina. Moore County, home of Pinehurst, is an excellent business location with an exceptional quality of life, low property taxes, impressive schools, premier healthcare & many other amenities. Visit http://www.moorebusiness.org or call 1-800-461-3755