By STEVE HANF Bill Lankford celebrates his 30th year running Maple Leaf Golf Club this year. But like many 30-somethings – and beyond – Lankford instead likes to focus on the 29th birthday. “The biggest one was back in October: 29 years,” Lankford jokingly said of anniversaries. “I worked for Container Corporation of America for…
In 1999, Payne Stewart was among four PGA Tour players scheduled to appear for a skins match at Mill Creek Golf Club the day after the U.S. Open. Then Stewart won the U.S. Open, beating Phil Mickelson on an 18-foot putt on the 72nd hole at Pinehurst No. 2. It’s a putt that’s lived…
By MARC PRUITT Say goodbye to Pine Brook Country Club in Winston-Salem as you might know it. No, the club that opened in 1954 isn’t shutting its doors. It has a new ownership group that is making plenty of changes, most notably a new name – Maple Chase Golf and Country Club. Initially the…
By STUART HALL The claims by equipment manufacturers are as enticing as those of a carnival barker. Their product will produce more distance, reduce spin rate, improve ball control and help shape shots. In general, your game can only improve, so just step right up. The claims are mixed with technical terms like launch angle,…
By BRAD KING Well known in the Triad during her college career by her maiden name, Laura Philo, the Wake Forest hall-of-famer was a two-time first team All-American and the 1996-97 Marge Crisp Award winner as the school’s top female athlete. Laura Diaz has gone on to become the most successful Demon Deacon in LPGA…
By STEVE WILLIAMS SOUTHERN PINES – It was totally understandable that Annika Winebarger was nervous during the final round of the 2-A/1-A State Championship at Longleaf Golf and Country Club. The senior from Elkin High School found herself in the lead after an opening-round 74 on Oct. 28 and she was in the final pairing…
By EDDIE SOUTHARDS FOXFIRE VILLAGE – A group of girls at Ledford High School has proven that golf can be a team sport. Despite not having a player contending for the individual title, the Panthers won their third straight 3-A state championship at Foxfire Resort and Golf Club. They won by 29 shots over Northern…
By STEVE WILLIAMS SOUTHERN PINES – Isabella Rusher and Grace Yatawara are successful year-round players on the junior golf circuit and both are ranked in the top 20 in the N.C. Junior Girls Rankings. So it was no surprise that they were the leaders when Salisbury captured its third consecutive 2-A/1-A state title at Longleaf…
By CHRISTIAN WORSTELL Walking up to the ninth green at Pinehurst No. 6 on Oct. 29, Victoria Allred couldn’t hold it in any longer. After starting her day on the 10th tee of the final round of the 4-A state championships, Allred knew this would be the last fairway she would ever walk as a…