042: Jaime Diaz, Award-Winning Golf Journalist and TV Analyst

Will commercial flight service ever return to the Moore County Airport? We may know soon according to the facility's new director, Rick Cloutier. He was named director in the fall of 2023 taking over from long-time director Ron Maness. Cloutier brings a wealth of aviation experience to his new role and steps in as the airport plans to welcome players and corporate execs from around the country and the world for the 2024 U.S. Open in June. Beyond the championship, the Moore County Airport has big plans for the future and Cloutier took time to visit the Paradise in the Pines podcast to tell everyone all about it. Listen in as Cloutier talks about the potential for the return of commercial flight service to Moore County, his aviation background, the upcoming Festival D'Avion and his love of bourbon and cigars! @visitnc #moorecountync #aviation

Dr. Tom Dorsel is Professor Emeritus of Psychology, a clinical/sport psychologist, and author of the best selling book, “GOLF: The Mental Game.” He currently works with golfers in both Hilton Head and Pinehurst. With major championship golf season upon us in 2024, what better time than to talk about the most challenging six inches in the golf game - the space between the ears! Dr. Dorsel has published hundreds of articles about the mental part of the game including for such noted publications as Golf Magazine, Golfweek and Golf Digest. Check out this episode of Paradise in the Pines as Dorsel delves deeply into the mental part of golf! @visitnc @usga @PGATOUR @golfweek @GolfDigest #mentalgame #sportspsychology

Dan Van Horn is the President and Founder of U.S. Kids Golf. What started as a father simply trying to make golf easier and more enjoyable for his kids has become the world’s leading provider of kids’ golf equipment, tournaments, and development best practices in the world. Since 2018, U.S. Kids Golf has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Businesses in golf by the National Golf Foundation. In 2022, Golf Business Magazine stated “no organization has done more to grow the game of golf than U.S. Kids Golf. It’s not even close.” The annual U.S. Kids World Championships will mark its 19th year competing inside the Home of American Golf and annually brings together some of the best junior golfers from all 50 states and more than 30 countries. The event has an estimated $16.5 million economic impact on the Pinehurst area. Check out this episode of Paradise in the Pines as Dan Van Horn talks about the growth of U.S. Kids Golf, how much Pinehurst has played a role in his success, and what the future holds for the organization.

Robert Hayter is a landscape architect by trade, but there is no one title that defines him. Hayter possesses a wealth of knowledge not only about his trade, but also about a number of topics which made for one of our most interesting Paradise in the Pines episodes. Among his accomplishments, Hayter co-authored Pinehurst's first unified development ordinance and Moore County's plan for highway corridor development in the 1990s. Over the years, he has done work for Duke University, Pinehurst Resort, Colonial Williamsburg and The Homestead Resort in Virginia. He even taught for many years at Sandhills Community College. Talk about a life well-lived! A modern day Frederick Law Olmsted? Many may agree. Give it a listen and Robert Hayter touches many topics and may inspire you in this Paradise in the Pines podcast. For more episodes, visit: www.homeofgolf.com/podcast

If you visit or reside in the Pinehurst area, or Moore County in general, you likely have seen the work of Bob Koontz and his team from KoontzJones Design. As a landscape architect and planner, some examples of his team's work include USGA's Golf House Pinehurst, Golf Pride's Global Innovation headquarters, Pinehurst No. 10, Morganton Park (where the new Target resides), and the new Graybull Club golf course in Nebraska as part of the Dormie Network. A native of Northern Virginia, Koontz and his family moved to Southern Pines in the early 2000s, so he has seen and has been a part of the growth of Moore County the last 20 years. In this episode of Paradise in the Pines, Koontz talks about current projects, the new Autoport motorsports race course near Robbins and what he sees in the years ahead inside the Home of American Golf. For more podcasts, go to www.homeofgolf.com/podcast  @visitnc   @usga  #landscapearchitecture

forthcoming

Mitch Capel is a storyteller, poet, recording artist, actor and author born in Southern Pines. Since 1985, he has been bringing stories to life and delighting audiences throughout the United States with his warmth, wit and compelling storytelling style. As a youth, he was inspired by “The Life & Works of Paul Laurence Dunbar." The genius of Dunbar’s work coupled with the joy in his grandmother’s eyes and the passion of her delivery reading the book to him left an indelible impression in Mitch’s heart. So much so, he is considered the "national interpreter" of the poet laureate's work. Capel has performed all over the country at countless storytelling events and conventions, and has also appeared at the The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and at the inaugural celebration for Barack Obama. In this episode of Paradise in the Pines, Mitch Capel tells a few stories, talks about his love for the game of golf and growing up in Southern Pines.  @visitnc  #moorecountync #sandhillsnc #storytelling #visitnc

This is one podcast you want to check out! Warren Lewis is a chef, entrepreneur, world traveler, wildlife photographer and true Renaissance man. More affectionately known in the Sandhills as "Chef Warren" and proprietor of the impeccable dining establishment in Southern Pines that bears his name, he is always into something. And whatever it is, Lewis does it with verve, energy, passion and with a purpose. In this episode of Paradise in the Pines, Lewis talks about his eye behind the camera, his skill in the kitchen and his mesmerizing, yet unexplained connection to the country of Iceland! Come along for the whirlwind tour with Chef Warren Lewis!  @visitnc   @NCsandhills   @foodandwine  #visitnc #sandhillsnc

The son of a farmer and a school teacher from Richmond County, Tom McInnis was raised on traditional values and beliefs. As a reigning fifth-term North Carolina Senator, McInnis is in the midst of an effort to secure a sixth term as he serves constituents in Moore and Cumberland counties. While the CVB does not endorse candidates and is non-political, Sen. McInnis efforts have impacts on the tourism industry. In this episode of Paradise in the Pines, Sen. McInnis takes on many topics and we invite you to take the time to listen and share!

Happy New Year! We hope you all had a great holiday season and welcome to 2024! This episode of Paradise in the Pines is our look ahead at 2024. As we celebrate two years and 45 episodes in, we take a look back over the last year and share some highlights from past guests, including a little of what to expect in 2024. Enjoy, be sure to search for Paradise in the Pines on your favorite podcatcher, and subscribe!