Dormie Club Origin Story: Rooted in Tradition
Dormie Network’s namesake course, Dormie Club, was created as an homage to the true, pure greatness of golf. The layout by Bill Coore and two-time Masters Champion Ben Crenshaw, coupled with Dormie Network’s genuine hospitality, has resulted in a timeless gem in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Early Days of Dormie Club
In Dormie Club fashion, the start of the club began with walking the future site of the course. Fresh out of the 2003 Masters, Ben Crenshaw went through the North Carolina Sandhills site with Bill Coore, a local of the area and Crenshaw’s long-standing design partner. Walking through the 1,100-acre former quail-hunting retreat over the course of a day, the duo envisioned where a course could fit within the 110 feet of elevation changes, vast array of pines and natural lakes.
After great anticipation, Dormie Club officially opened in 2010 to rave reviews, including a No. 3 in Golfweek's best new courses. At the time of opening, there were only yardages on the scorecards with no mention of par; this choice was to stay true to Coore and Crenshaw’s design choices and course strategy.
The design and architecture of the course, heavily influenced by Donald Ross’ philosophies, aims to give players multiple options for their approach shots in a Golden Age design, allowing different angles to the green. Its “Old World-design" unveiled reachable par fours, wind tunnels, Bermuda fairways, strategy-inducing bunkers, bentgrass greens, and a 241-yard reverse Redan. The 18 holes measure 6,883 yards with a 73.7 rating and 138 slope.
After opening, Dormie Club left its original plan of private play and opened to non-members as a public course, partially due to financial difficulties during the economic crisis. After the 2017 acquisition, one of the goals was to move back towards the original goals of private play, and in 2018, a few years after its opening, the course was ranked No. 3 among the “Best Courses You Can Play in North Carolina” by both GOLF Magazine and Golfweek and the “12th Best Course in North Carolina” by Golf Digest.
Images of Dormie Club in 2017, before Dormie Network’s improvements overhaul
Coore-Crenshaw's Design
Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw overlooking the site of Dormie Club
The Coore-Crenshaw design of Dormie Club uses the open-mindedness of natural forces to shape the course’s outcome. After Coore and Crenshaw walked and studied the property, they used the dynamic features of the environment to ground the overall design, allowing the land to determine the aesthetic rather than the other way around. Throughout the acres, the hollows and plateaus are not leveled but instead built into the course to encourage challenging play and varied options for the golfer.
“Dormie Club was so personal for me,” Coore said. “The opportunity to work in the place that had such an influence on my understanding of golf was truly special. Ben and I felt that it was a site where we could create something complimentary to the history of golf in Pinehurst.”
In such a setting and environment where golf is revered, the Coore-Crenshaw course exceeds expectations through wooded beauty, minimal waste bunkers, sand cart paths, and the duo’s signature undulating greens.
“We let the natural landforms and features go together to be our guide, and we’ve learned that when we do that, each course comes out with its individual character and identity,” Coore said.
With walking bridges and numerous walking paths to the tee boxes and greens throughout the property, General Manager Tony Chapman said Dormie Club is built on a “walking philosophy”. And if the planning was impressive, the upkeep and maintenance are rival to none. Even on the hottest of days, Dormie Club‘s bentgrass greens are in pristine condition.
“Even in the middle of a hot summer, our members desire to come to Dormie Club. This is due to the attention to detail and hospitality that our staff provides for members and their guests,” says Chapman. “One of the advantages of being part of such a remarkable Network is the opportunity to experience a dual destination trip—pairing Dormie Club with Ballyhack, just a few hours’ drive apart.”
An on-course comfort station is accessible from four different holes, including anything from homemade breakfast sandwiches and ice cream to popcorn and a bar. Right out of the clubhouse is an upsized and remodeled putting green.
Dormie Network Acquires Dormie Club
In 2017, Nebraska-based golf investment company Hainoa, LLC took ownership over Dormie Club to add the course into Dormie Network, joining clubs such as Briggs Ranch Golf Club, ArborLinks and the nearby Ballyhack Golf Club in Roanoke, Virginia. Before this point, there wasn’t a proper name – with “dormie” originally meaning having reached a point in one’s life at which nothing could go wrong & the nature of the property, it was only right that the Pinehurst club became the official namesake club. Alongside a goal of returning to the original plan of private play, Dormie Club’s acquisition quickly catalyzed a renewal and revitalization of the club’s amenities while remaining loyal to the core values of Golden Age golf course architecture and Coore-Crenshaw magic.
"Dormie Club is a truly exceptional club that was conceptualized as and designed to be a high-end private course," Dormie Network President Zach Peed said. "Our vision is to make it one of the finest pure golf destination courses in the region."
“Ben and I were both pleased and optimistically excited about the future for Dormie Club when Dormie Network took over,” Coore said. “Our courses aren’t trying to be anything else. They’re being what they are.”
What followed was a series of comprehensive enhancements aimed to highlight the already existing historic and natural sense of the club and local environment, both on and off the golf course.
While refreshing the landscape on the Scottish-inspired course, bunkers were restored through the Better Billy Bunker system, trees were removed for a clearer and more open view of the estate, cart paths were enhanced, new tee boxes were added , and walking bridges were constructed.
Capital improvements included a 16,600-square-foot clubhouse, a comfort station, a practice putting green, a golf shop, a maintenance facility, a new parking area, and 60 beds in 15 cottages of various designs.
With the clubhouse as a highlight of the Dormie Network additions, the inviting design colors and indigenous materials throughout the building keep the clubhouse as a true center of rest and comfort for members. The spacious, contemporary dining room looks over the 18th green while serving signature dishes, cocktails, and cuisine. Also added was a private dining room with an adjacent exterior patio and circular wine room to host private tastings and parties. The cozy lounge welcomes members to the bar with soft seating and opens up to the adjacent outdoor patio.
The long-awaited, large-scale renovations of the clubhouse, golf shop, and cottages were unveiled in a members-only grand re-opening series of events in September 2021. The grand opening was soon followed by a #15 Best Course in North Carolina distinction from Golf Digest in 2021.
"With these immediate investments, we're returning the club to its original concept: an exceptional offering of amenities at a renowned Coore-Crenshaw course in an intimate atmosphere. An exclusive, pure golf experience," Peed said.
“Congratulations to Dormie Club for creating yet another place to experience all the Home of American Golf has to offer,” said Phil Werz, president and CEO of the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The club and Dormie Network with courses nationwide and in markets where we typically do not market will expose even more golfers and visitors to the destination and give us the potential to reach new people who will wish to experience the destination.”
Exquisite Culinary Experience
At Dormie Club, the unique and standout golf experience follows from course to plate. With exquisite cuisine as one of the core aspects of the greatness of Dormie Club, Dormie Network implemented a new, extensive culinary program with Executive Chef Josh Reeves. Combining Southern comfort with Carolina seafood freshness, Chef Reeves blends his southern Atlanta roots with his San Antonio, Texas, and Briggs Ranch Tex-Mex experience to transform the incredible North Carolina cuisine into a rich and unique Dormie Club specialty.
Whether it is the covered patio, the clubhouse main dining room, private dining room, situation room, circular wine room or bar and lounge, guests can rest assured that any of Dormie Club’s exquisite and memorable dining spaces will deliver exceptional food and ambiance. In 2022, Dormie Club's distinctive dining spaces earned the title of 3rd Best in the New F&B Facility category of Golf Inc. Golden Fork Awards.
Reeves and his team work to make both signature dishes and seasonal favorites. The Dormie Club culinary experience includes highlights such as Fried Green Tomatoes, Charcoal Grilled Tomahawk Pork Chop with pickled peaches and blackberry BBQ, Wood Roasted Carolina Oysters with She Crab Butter, Tuna Toro Deviled Eggs, and our Famous Fried Bologna Sandwich at the Comfort Station.
For Dormie Club’s family-style cottage dinners, guests can choose between the Southern Steakhouse experience, Tailgate experience , and a “Taste of Carolina experience” with Southern favorites–these cottage dinners are more intimate than the clubhouse, allowing members to try multiple different dishes and create a unique experience while dining in the cottages. Refreshments include the signature One Iron cocktail, Orange Creamcicle slushies or even transfusions delivered to No. 18.
“When dining at Dormie Club, we want you to really feel the southern charm of North Carolina. All the local ingredients we use tell a story. Some of our dishes may spark a memory from your childhood or family tradition if you are from the Southeast,” says Chef Reeves. “What we are doing here is simple food done right at a high level.”
Memorable Onsite Lodging
60 beds are available throughout the beautiful North Carolina landscape. There are three lodging options—the Dormie Cottage, the Executive Cottage, or the Owner’s Cottage—all just a quick golf cart ride away from the clubhouse.
Each of the 10 Dormie Cottages and four Executive Cottages includes four bedrooms with private bathrooms, a comfortable common area with a TV, and an exterior patio overlooking the golf course. The expansive two-story Owner’s Cottage includes four bedrooms with an exterior deck overlooking the lake next to the No. 5 fairway and an entertainment area with a bar, TV lounge, golf simulator, and patio.
“The main differences between the Dormie Cottages and the Executive Cottages are that the Executive Cottages are slightly larger and have added amenities like a fireplace and steam showers to enjoy after a long day of golf. Most Executive Cottages have fire pits outside to enjoy a nice fireside chat.”
Chapman describes the member experience, “Once you arrive at Dormie Club, you will be taken care of at every turn. From valet car service to a welcome cocktail to your personal golf cart, our team has thought of everything to ensure that your stay is carefree and memorable. Once arriving at your cottage, you will notice small details that set the experience apart, including foam rollers, personalized door signage with your name, king-size beds in every room, premium bathroom amenities, and more.”
The story of Dormie Club is one of original dreams coming to fruition: over the years, the club has evolved and reinvented itself to go back to the very values and goals that Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw envisioned as they walked the North Carolina Sandhills. What started as a vision of pure golf through a design highlighting natural beauty has been fulfilled and elevated by Dormie Network’s consistent commitment to greatness. In a modern time where golf changes each day, Dormie Club stands strong in its original values, attention to detail, open-minded golf design, and timeless impact.
