The Tin Whistles, founded in 1904, is the oldest continuous men’s golfing society in the United States. Our mission is to promote the game of golf—its customs, traditions, courtesies, and rules—at Pinehurst Country Club.
We conduct weekly tournaments for our 200+ members and help organize six annual events for the Tarheel Youth Golf Association (TYGA) of the Sandhills. Additionally, we provide six four-year scholarships and three nursing scholarships to Moore County high school students attending Sandhills Community College.
Our members actively volunteer at prestigious tournaments, including the North-South Amateurs, USGA Championships, and other tournaments in the Pinehurst area.
Mission
The Tin Whistles will promote golf in a social setting at Pinehurst Country Club, actively participate in events to benefit our community, and support our youth through scholarships and character development programs.
History
Founded in 1904, the oldest continuous Men's Golf Society/Philanthropic Organization in the country Original objective - promote a golfing and social experience for the early travelers to Pinehurst, thereby making it pleasant to return year after year.
THE TIN WHISTLES, national golf organization, had its beginning in Pinehurst, North Carolina in 1904. The many and varied accounts of its birth run all the way from one that a tin whistle was blown in the village street to call the players to the links to another that the whistle was blown at the spring, near the present twelfth hole on No. 1 course, advising golfers that a corn concoction was being served. However, the consensus is that a group of New Yorkers were vacationing at the Holly Inn, dividing their time equally between the links and the little brown jug. They organized a tournament, the prizes being “two Scotch golf clubs,” to be opened at the finish and dispensed, forthwith. The winners carried the “clubs” back to the Inn, beneath checkered vests, and with great pomp and ceremony, promptly consumed them. At this time, outsiders called them the Wow Wows. During this Pinehurst visit, a copy of Alfred Henry Lewis’ book, “The Boss,” appeared. It is a story of the Old Tammany and gave considerable space to a hoodlum gang known as the TIN WHISTLES. The name was given them because they were summoned to their duty of breaking up polling places, which were unfriendly to Tammany, by the blowing of a whistle. For some reason, unknown, this appealed sufficiently to have the golfers adopt the name “THE TIN WHISTLES The stated objectives of the organization were: “To promote a golfing fellowship at Pinehurst and to maintain there a neutral zone for a choice and chosen few from outside organizations to which it will be pleasant to return year by year.” “It shall be the duty of each member to suppress the incipient conceit of any fellow member who thinks he is in line for the United North and South Amateur Championship.” In recent years, the Constitution has been rewritten and the more prosaic wording of the club objectives stated, “It is formed for social purposes and to promote the customs, traditions, and the “Rules of Golf” at Pinehurst, North Carolina.”
The first group by year of origin is the Tin Whistles, founded in 1904 for the express purpose of enjoying the camaraderie associated with the game of golf. …The group plays by the Rules of Golf, no exceptions. They never permit Mulligans, nor “gimmees”, nor “favored lies”. Violators are given one warning by the Captain…Then on any repetition, the offender is summarily ousted, his vacancy easily replaced from a long number of eager applicants. You can turn your back on any player and know he will play the game fairly. Thus, the listed handicaps are the most accurate of any club in the country.
Our Golf Committee organizes weekly Saturday games for members at the many Pinehurst Resort courses. Additionally, we host ten major tournaments including memorials honoring past Tin Whistles throughout the year. The Tin Whistles also arrange several away events, typically within one to two hours of Pinehurst.
Tin Whistles Scholarship Foundation (TWSF)
Mission
The Tin Whistles Scholarship Foundation (TWSF) is dedicated to providing college scholarships to high-achieving students from Moore County high schools. Scholarship recipients demonstrate exceptional acdemic performance, leadership skills, community service, and financial need.
History
Since awarding its first scholarships in 1979, the TWSF has provided over $2 million in scholarships supporting the college education of over 165 students. Over its 40+ year history, the program has expanded significantly, welcoming new scholars to a distinguished roster of alumni who have excelled in a wide range of professions.
Key Milestones:
- 1979: Awarded two four-year scholarships.
- 2024: Expanded to six four-year scholarships plus three nursing scholarships at Sandhills Community College.
The foundation’s founders, Parker Hall and Vice Admiral William E. Gentner, envisioned scholarships as a way to "give back" to the Moore County community they cherished. From its humble beginnings with two four-year scholarships, the program has grown to fund six four-year scholarships and three nursing scholarships annually. Over the past 40 years, Tin Whistles members have donated over $2 million in scholarships to 165 students (as of 2024). Recognized by The Pilot as the "Gold Standard" for scholarships in the county, the TWSF continues to make a lasting impact.
About the Tin Whistles Scholarship Foundation
The Tin Whistles Scholarship Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization sponsored by The Tin Whistles, Inc., and operated exclusively for charitable purposes. The foundation’s Board comprises 12 trustees and three ex officio members, all of whom are Tin Whistles members.
Board Structure:
Four trustees are appointed annually to serve three-year terms.
Ex officio voting members include the Tin Whistles President, Vice President, and prior year Tin Whistle President, roles that rotate yearly. The Club Captain serves on the board as a non-voting member
2025 marks the 18th year of the TYGA Tin Whistles' Tour Championship, an annual series of tournaments designed to foster young talent in the game of golf. A minimum of six 9-hole tournaments will take place at various local golf courses, featuring boys and girls aged 6 through 12 as participants.
The tournaments, hosted by The Tin Whistles in collaboration with the Tarheel Youth Golf Association (TYGA), are part of the summer schedule organized by the Carolinas Golf Association. The 2025 tournament schedule will be published in March or April on the TYGA website (Play in a TYGA Event).
At the end of the season, the player with the best scores relative to par, based on a required minimum number of tournaments, is crowned the Tour Champion.
2024 Highlights
The Tin Whistles' Tour Championship attracts participants from across the state, including Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Wilmington, and Fayetteville.
- Champion:The 2024 Tour Champion is Parker Cryan from Pinehurst, NC. Parker was presented with a replica of the Champion's trophy at the Tin Whistles' Christmas Dinner Dance in December. Parker and his parents were honored guests at the event. His name has also been inscribed on the Champion's trophy, which is displayed at the Tufts Archives.
- Runner Up:The 2024 Runner-up is Bryan Wells from Wilmington, NC.
Congratulations to both Parker and Bryan for their outstanding performances!
Community Service is a core value of The Tin Whistles. At The Tin Whistles, community service is at the heart of our mission. Our members actively engage in a variety of volunteer initiatives, from keeping our community clean to supporting local healthcare and housing efforts.
Key Community Service Initiatives
Band of Brothers – Adopt-A-Highway
Since 1993, The Tin Whistles have proudly participated in North Carolina’s Adopt-A-Highway Program, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to improving our community. In recognition of 25 consecutive years of service, the North Carolina Department of Transportation honored The Tin Whistles with an award for outstanding public stewardship.
For more than 30 years, a dedicated group of members—known as the Band of Brothers—has gathered early each month to clear litter from Morganton Road, spanning from US 15-501 to NC Route 5.
First Health Moore Regional Hospital
Each year, Tin Whistles members volunteer over 650 hours assisting with patient transportation and support services at First Health Moore Regional Hospital, helping to enhance the care and comfort of patients.
Habitat for Humanity
Our members play an active role in Habitat for Humanity, assisting with home repairs that allow seniors to remain in their residences and contributing to new home construction projects for families in need.
Beyond these key initiatives, The Tin Whistles are deeply involved in additional community efforts, including supporting youth golf programs, volunteering for Project Santa, supporting USGA tournaments, and assisting at the Coalition Food Pantry. Our dedication to service reflects our commitment to making a lasting impact in our community.
