A half-century ago in 1974, the World Golf Hall of Fame was founded in Pinehurst, N.C., site of a supersized portion of the game’s American history. There it stayed, run by Pinehurst Resort’s management company for a decade before ownership transferred to the PGA of America, which later moved the hall to St. Augustine, Fla.
Times change, long-term leases expire and the siren sound of home beckons — all of which is to say that the World Golf Hall of Fame has returned to Pinehurst, just in time for the 2024 U.S. Open on Course No. 2.
The Hall of Fame resides in the USGA Experience building on the governing body’s newly opened satellite campus, Golf House Pinehurst. (Under the revamped structure, the USGA is responsible for day-to-day operations, management and artifact preservation related to WGHOF displays plus the content, presentation and visitor experience; the hall itself continues to operate as an independent organization within the World Golf Foundation and serves as the sole administrator of HOF induction, including process, criteria and ceremony.)
The building’s first floor houses USGA-related galleries, including artifacts from the USGA Golf Museum and Library, the sport’s most comprehensive collection. On the second floor is the relocated, revamped and streamlined WGHOF, where visitors encounter a new Hall of Fame locker room. Here, each of the 164 Hall of Fame members has a dedicated display of gear and artifacts that helps tell their unique story.
Bob Jones’ Spalding 2-wood. Donald Ross’ compass, slide rule and bifocals. Jack Nicklaus’ MacGregor bag from the 1965 Masters. Johnny Miller’s clubs, ball and champion gold medal from the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont. Annika Sören- stam’s shirt from the first round of the 2003 Colonial on the PGA Tour. The list goes on and on.
“There’s no better connection to golf ’s past, present and future than Pinehurst, and no organization that works harder than the USGA to preserve the history of this great game,” says USGA CEO Mike Whan. “We look forward to celebrating the greatest moments, and golf ’s greatest athletes, by including the World Golf Hall of Fame as an important part of our new Pinehurst home.”
The welcome mat is out.
