Located in the Sandhills of Moore County, North Carolina, Pinehurst Resort hosts many prestigious golf tournaments including the North and South Open, PGA Tour and the U.S. Open. According to Golf Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler, Pinehurst is often referred to as one of the world’s top golf destinations.
With an ocean to the east and in the west, North Carolina has long been a popular tourist attraction. Mineral springs in the mountains, for instance, attracted medical patients during the 1830s, and after word spread of the beautiful western landscape, tourists flocked to the state to vacation. In the piedmont region, golf resorts have been a favorite for sport enthusiasts from around the world. On the coast, Nags Head, Morehead, and Wrightsville have long remained resort towns in North Carolina.
Recognized as one of the best flatpickers for the guitar, Arthel “Doc” Watson was born in 1923 in Watauga County, North Carolina. Watson’s early life greatly influenced his musical style and techniques. Although blind, Doc Watson won eight Grammy awards and the National Medal of the Arts.
One of the best pitchers to play in the major league of baseball, Gaylord Perry was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. Born in Williamston, the right-handed pitcher was known for his fastball, his competitive spirit, and for “doctoring” up the baseballs he threw. Perry holds the distinction as the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both major leagues, and he ranks #6 on the all-time list of strikeouts with over 3,500.
The “New Traditionalist,” Randy Travis, transformed the country music genre to its traditional, old style during his singing career in the 1980s and 1990s. Born in Marshville, a small community outside of Charlotte, Travis (born Randy Traywick) grew up on his family’s farm while playing and singing at concerts and parties. Travis’s big break came when he partnered with Lib Hatcher, and he became a country music legend before moving into an acting career.
Considered “The Father of Bluegrass Music,” Earl Scruggs was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina – Cleveland County, to be exact. Mastering the banjo at an early age, Scruggs later joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys and earned wide acclaim for his “Scruggs-Style Picking.” After his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Scruggs retired with his wife to Madison, Tennessee.
One of the early communicators of the radio and television era, Edward R. Murrow was born in Guilford County. As a CBS broadcaster during World War II and the Red Scare, he was known for his command of language, signature phrases, and willingness to tackle difficult and controversial issues. He pioneered many programs that became the basis for the future of both radio and television news.
More commonly known as O. Henry, the North Carolina-born author was famous for his “O. Henry Endings” and popular short stories in the early-twentieth century. Born in Greensboro in 1862, O. Henry’s early childhood and adolescence greatly influenced his literary style and voice. Some of his famous works include “The Gift of the Magi”, “The Ransom of Red Chief”, and “Memoirs of a Yellow Dog.”
Referred to as the King of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), Richard Petty remains the driver in stock car racing history with the most wins. Petty was born to a racing family in Level Cross (Randolph County), North Carolina, in 1937, and as a twenty-one year old, he started racing. Known also for his trademark racing techniques, such as drafting, and charming personality, Petty won seven championships and was voted the most popular driver in NASCAR for nine years.
One of the greatest American stock car drivers of all time, Dale Earnhardt was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The son of Ralph Earnhardt, Dale continued the racing legacy, and it lives on today with his son, Dale Earnhardy, Jr., and the company Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI). Known as the Intimidator for his aggressive driving style, Earnhardt won seven NASCAR titles, rivaling fellow North Carolinian driver, Richard Petty.