78: Andy Priest, Carolinas Golf Association Executive Director

The Home of American Golf couldn't be prouder that the World Golf Hall of Fame has returned to its original home in Pinehurst. Located at the USGA's Golf House Pinehurst campus, the WGHOF also includes the USGA Experience.The unique locker room design of the WGHOF provides a fun insight into the careers of legendary players and other inductees who helped shape the game of golf. It's director, Mike Trostel is literally a walking encyclopedia and historian who takes great pride in collecting the items for the lockers that tell the story of each and every person enshrined in the facility.In this episode of Paradise in the Pines, Trostel talks about his role with the WGHOF, his passion for the game of golf and a special new display in the coming year featuring the late and beloved Payne Stewart.

Kellyann Miller was born and raised with Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club literally as her backyard. Part of the family that owns that venerable club, plus Mid Pines Inn & Golf Club and Southern Pines Golf Club, she opted for early career experiences in the big city with big brands in NYC, Austin and San Diego. But life, career and a yearning for a family of her own has led her back to Southern Pines as special projects and brand director for her father Kelly Miller's trio of courses.In this episode of Paradise in the Pines, Kellyann Miller talks about returning home, the major new projects on the horizon and perhaps an invite from the USGA to once again host a future U.S. Women's Open!

There is a lot happening in Moore County these days. Growth in Moore County is inevitable as a globally-recognized destination, and that creates significant opportunities for economic development. Natalie Hawkins heads up the Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) and in this episode of the award-winning Paradise in the Pines, Hawkins touches on a number of topics including the lingering aspects of the 2024 U.S. Open, how Amazon's $10 billion plan to our south will impact us here, the possible return of commercial flight service to the Pinehurst area and much more in this must-listen conversation!

If you follow Pinehurst Resort's social media channels, you've seen an endless array of amazing images and video content. The driving force behind all of that content is Matt Gibson. While you may not recognize his face, his mission is what he sees behind the lens.In this episode of Paradise in the Pines, meet Matt Gibson and learn more about how his unique storytelling style endears people to Pinehurst Resort and the Cradle of American Golf.

Following in the footsteps of a legend is never easy to do, but Andy Priest is ready for the challenge. With Jack Nance stepping down as executive director of the Carolinas Golf Association after 40 years, Priest actually returns to the CGA after serving as the leader of the Alabama Golf Association for nine years. Priest started his golf career in 1997 under Nance and returns with a vision for the future of the organization. In this episode of Paradise in the Pines, Priest talks about his golf career path, his vision for the CGA and how he plans to fill the shoes of a legend.

While the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area has its share of talented local chefs, we can now boast our very own celebrity chef! Leigh Orleans appeared on Season 22 of the hit FOX TV show “Hell’s Kitchen” and now calls Moore County home. On this episode of Paradise in the Pines, Leigh talks about how she survived Gordon Ramsey’s wrath, her love of everything culinary, and even shares a few home cooking tips! 

We are very fortunate to have a very diverse and talented arts community in the Pinehurst area of North Carolina . Among the abundance of artists in a number of disciplines, Larissa Ann Ray has found a unique niche. It all started with a spark created by her work known as "Sergeant Reckless." From there, Larissa Ann Art has been driven by a sense of purpose, which allows her to pay it forward and make positive impacts in her community and beyond.Meet Larissa Ann Ray in our latest episode of Paradise in the Pines.

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The Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area of North Carolina is a burgeoning music destination. And no one has a better pulse of the local music scene and its potential like Baxter Clement, owner of Casino Guitars in downtown Southern Pines. Clement has spent most of his life in the music industry and has traveled the world to perform.But, Southern Pines and Moore County has always been home for Clement and while his touring days are pretty much over, his guitar empire is known across the globe. In this episode of Paradise in the Pines, Clement talks about his life in music, being married to the Mayor of Southern Pines, our talent-rich music scene and the potential for a major regional music festival for our destination.

Tim Russell is the new executive director of the Sunrise Theater in downtown Southern Pines. His path to the stage at the Sunrise spans the globe from Australia to Hong Kong to Europe as a corporate executive. All along the way, he's always been a huge music fan and part-time musician. He's been a resident of Moore County for about 10 years, and when the chance to manage the Sunrise became available, he jumped at it. Russell brings a ray of sunshine to the Sunrise and in this episode of Paradise in the Pines, he talks about his vision for the venerable venue, his passion for music and how Moore County is becoming a burgeoning music destination. @visitnc  #mooremusic #sandhillsnc #southernpinesnc