She's 83 going on 20 and one of Pinehurst's greatest assets. This Annie Oakley of American women's golf has
the energy of ten. With her family members, she runs one of the best, most complete small golf resorts in the
country: Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club,
host of the 1996, 2001 and 2007 US Women's Open.
Findlay, Ohio, native Peggy Kirk Bell came to Pinehurst
in the early 1950's, the young bride of Warren
"Bullet" Bell, her high school sweetheart who had played pro basketball with the Fort Wayne Pistons before
turning to business.
Before that she barnstormed the country in her own airplane, playing in pro tournaments after a stellar
amateur record. Her best friend and frequent traveling partner was Babe Didrikson Zaharias, and the two
are credited with pioneering the first professional women's tour.
In 1953, the Bells bought Pine Needles in partnership with Frank and Maisie Cosgrove and the Cosgroves'
son in law Julius Boros, the '52 and '63 U.S. Open champion. At that time, the original clubhouse had been
bought by the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh and turned into a hospital and sanitarium. In 1954, the lease
on the adjacent army barracks which had been used for guest accommodations ran out, leaving Pine Needles
with only the course, a Donald Ross design.
While the Cosgroves were busy managing Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club across Midland Road and Boros was off
playing tournaments, the Bells, ignited by an exciting vision for the property, rolled up their sleeves
and started building. The first project was the clubhouse, a chalet design which they built under the
pines on a slight rise overlooking the practice facility and the 18th green (the 1st green before the
old clubhouse was converted).
Subsequently expanded and modernized, the clubhouse fits ideally into Pine Needles rustic themes. A
pinewood lodge, it incorporates world class dining, spacious lounge and bar, executive suites, and completely
renovated locker rooms and pro shop.
Like a callow youth who ripens to maturity gradually, the resort grew in size and stature over many years
until now it is widely recognized as one of the country's outstanding small golf clubs and resorts.
A total of 75 comfortable, modern rooms in 12 chalet-style lodges are complemented by communications-equipped
small meeting rooms, a swimming pool (the first resort pool ever built in Pinehurst), a 16,000-square-foot
conference center, and first class, award-winning instructional programs/facilities geared to every level
of player, all ages and both sexes. Golf for Women magazine has consistently rated it among the nation's
most women-friendly resorts. Most recently, the resort added a four-hole practice course to complement one
of the largest practice ranges in the country.
Since "Bullet" passed away in 1984, Peggy has continued to run the resort (and Mid Pines) with her children
and their spouses. Preserving the family atmosphere at Pine Needles is its distinguishing trademark and a
major reason why Pine Needles gets a high percentage of return visitors. Golfers are drawn to her personality
and teaching talent.
"I gave my first golf lesson in "53 and I charged $2," she said. "That was pretty good then. I was only the
second woman to ever teach golf. My first student was a woman. I said to my husband, 'I can't teach this
woman. I know nothing about teaching. I only know how to play.' My husband said, 'Well, you know more than
she does. Just teach her what you know about the swing.' She's been at it ever since.
"It turned out I really liked teaching," said Bell, who has written several instruction books that have
become bibles for women golfers. Over the years, she has taught a host of men as well as women. "I love
to teach men, too," pointed out the acknowledged golfing Dean of Women.
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