New members of the N.C. Sports Hall announced

The N.C. Sports Hall of Fame -- based at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh -- has announced its newest members.

Among them is Don McCauley, an All-American running back at UNC in the '60s; former multi-sport star at State and future college football coach Jim Donnan; former State and NFL wide receiver Mike Quick; and current Duke assistant women's soccer coach and UNC legend Carla Overbeck, among others.

"You're always happy for the other guy, hoping one day you'll get the call," McCauley told the News & Observer in Raleigh.

The newest members are:

-Herb Appenzeller, who played football for Wake Forest in the 1940s and was Guilford College athletic director.

-Donnan, a former quarterback for N.C. State who went on to a successful coaching career at Georgia.

-Overbeck, an assistant women's soccer coach at Duke who was a three-time All-American for UNC.

-Quick, a former N.C. State wide receiver who had a Pro Bowl career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

-Karen Shelton, coach of UNC's field hockey squad, which has won seven national titles under her watch.

-Paul Simson, a Raleigh resident who has won two British Amateur Senior Open championships in golf.

"It's nice when people remember you," Quick told the paper.

Six more inducted into N.C. Sports Hall of Fame

The N.C. Sports Hall of Fame (based at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh) recently added a half-dozen new deserving members.

"John Swofford, ACC commissioner since 1997 and a former quarterback at North Carolina, is in the class. Also in the class are Appalachian State head football coach Jerry Moore, North Carolina women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell and former East Carolina and Wake Forest men's basketball coach Dave Odom," said WRAL.

"Former North Carolina State running back and Canadian Football League star Willie Burden, and veteran golfer Roger Watson are also inductees."

The News & Observer's Caulton Tudor writes today that it's only a matter of time before Carolina Hurricanes legends Ron Francis and Glenn Wesley are added.

"Nowhere to be found is anyone with a hockey background. That should change soon," writes Tudor. "Under the 10-year state residency rule for non-North Carolina natives, former Carolina Hurricanes stars and current employees Ron Francis and Glen Wesley will be eligible for consideration in the 2010 voting."

Pinehurst voted best golf resort -- in the world

The readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have named Pinehurst the top golf resort in the world. The resort even finds itself on the magazine's cover.

"Maybe it’s something in the renowned tradition of the pristine golf courses. Maybe it’s something in the serenity of the Sandhills pines," writes the Fayetteville Observer.

"Whatever it is, Pinehurst has a knack for invigorating people ... in a way that keeps them coming back for more."

“This is about what (Pinehurst) provides and how Pinehurst inspires the people that come here,” John Atwood, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, told the Observer.

Atwood acknowledged that while the golf experience was the primary consideration, other features such as staff courtesy and spa quality factored in.

This marks the second time in three years that Pinehurst has received the magazine’s top honor, no small feat considering some of the renowned competition — Kiawah Island in South Carolina, Pebble Beach in California, Kapalua on the island of Maui in Hawaii, just to name a few.

Don Padgett II, the president of Pinehurst, said he believes there’s something to be said for the quality of his resort in besting so many other wonderful venues.

“When you think about it, we don’t have any mountains. We don’t have the ocean,” Padgett said. “But what we do have is a tremendous golf facility and a lot of great people who create a special atmosphere that a lot of people want to be part of.”

Quick hits: Tiger's course boom and Boone's backyard

Tiger Woods to plot new course in WNC
"Tiger Woods will design his first U.S. golf course for The Cliffs at High Carolina, adding cachet to plans for the 3,000-acre exclusive community in Swannanoa and Fairview," writes the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"Woods and Jim Anthony, president of The Cliffs Communities, made the announcement at the company’s The Cliffs Valley community Tuesday, with the world’s top golfer promising a personal touch.

" 'I’m pretty detail-oriented, and I want to do things right,' Woods said. 'I’ll be up here as often as it takes to make things right.'

"Woods said he will own a home or property in the development and that he plans a walking course with a 'minimalist' design. ..."

Boone one of '10 great' small towns with big backyards
"Get a glimpse of the simpler life — and get in shape at the same time," writes USA Today. "Small towns can offer big outdoor adventures in the waning days of summer. Sarah Tuff, co-author of the new 101 Best OutdoorTowns: Unspoiled Places to Visit, Live & Play (Countryman Press, $19.95), shares her picks with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY. ...

"Boone has a built-in air conditioner for the summer months that turn the rest of the South sticky: the Blue Ridge Mountains, which keep temperatures at a lovely 75 degrees in August," Tuff says. "The town, 100 miles north of Asheville, stays hip, thanks to Appalachian State University. Get jazzed at Espresso News before heading into the Pisgah National Forest for hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing. Rafters rollick along the Nolichucky and French Broad rivers." 800-852-9506; visitboone nc.com ..."

Eldrick planning N.C. golf course

Tiger Woods may be planning to design his first North American golf course in Western North Carolina.

"Woods, the top-ranked player in the world, has signed a contract to develop a course at The Cliffs at High Carolina, off Interstate 40 in Fairview, according to [golf.com]," writes the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"Cliffs Communities sent out invitations last week saying they and Woods would 'present' a press event Aug. 14 but did not give details.

"The news conference will be held at Cliffs Valley in Travelers Rest, S.C. Woods confirmed on Tuesday from the PGA Tournament that he would be at the event. ...

"The course would be Woods’ first design in the United States. His design company is building one in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, that will be ready for play in 2009.

"Woods would be another prominent name involved with golf courses in the Cliffs Communities. Jack Nicklaus designed the Walnut Cove course in Arden and the Keowee Falls course in South Carolina. ..."

U.S. Open to return to Pinehurst

Calling Pinehurst No. 2 one of the "core" golf courses for the U.S. Open, the U.S. Golf Association formally announced Monday that the 2014 Open will be played at "No. 2." It will be the third time in 15 years the course will host the tournament.

"Pinehurst waited 99 years to host its first U.S. Open in 1999," writes Stuart Hall. "But the success of that event, won by the late Payne Stewart, and a return trip in 2005, which was won by Michael Campbell, has made Pinehurst a growing favorite among USGA officials. ...

"Although the USGA has no formal rotation of courses that host the U.S. Open, unlike the Royal and Ancient Golf Club does with the British Open, a third national championship in such a short span validates the association's success with Pinehurst. No other course has hosted three U.S. Opens in a shorter span of time."