Women rule at Pinehurst Resort this week.

Recognizing that the female golf market is the only sector in golf showing growth these days, Pinehurst has invited women to a series of free clinics and discounted playing opportunities by conducting Women's Golf Week.

An influx of women business executives who are using golf to network and level the playing field with their male counterparts is expected to continue to grow female presence in the sport.

Activities this week are open to the public, and women are encouraged to bring friends along to join in the fun.

The week includes instruction by Pinehurst LPGA instructors Kelly Cap and Kelly McCall for the following:

n Today at 1 p.m., nine-hole on-course instruction, with opening instructional clinic (one instructor per foursome) at Pinehurst No. 6, $25 per person.

n Monday, at 9 a.m., two-hour full swing and short game clinics, Pinehurst Golf Academy, free and open to first 30 women. At 3 p.m., two-hour full swing and short game clinics, Pinehurst Golf Academy, free and open to first 30.

n Wednesday, June 4, at 8 a.m., full day of Discover Golf program. It includes full day of instruction, including playing on a Pinehurst course in the afternoon. It is intended for beginner golfers. The fee is $75 a person and includes club rental and lunch.

n Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m., Women's Club Demo Day, Pinehurst Padgett Learning Center/Maniac Hill. Stop by the Pinehurst Pro Shop for specials and sales on women's merchandise.

At 2 p.m., two-person scramble, with up to 50 teams, will be held on Pinehurst No. 3. One person must be female. The cost is $50 per person (bring $20 in cash for Rally for the Cure closest to the pin contest).

Reservations for any of the clinics or golf events can be made by calling the Pinehurst Golf Academy at 291-4427.

Discounted overnight rates are also available during scheduled events -- $125 per room per night, or bed-and-breakfast rates starting at $103 per person (plus tax and service charge).

All events are open to the public. Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA) members also receive discounts on treatments at the Spa at Pinehurst and special offers on golf and spa packages on their next visit to Pinehurst.

The Pinehurst Women's Golf Week, presented by the EWGA, is part of a nationwide initiative through Play Golf America's Women's Golf Month, which provides a series of free learning opportunities and playing benefits at area clubs through the month of June. It is led by a coalition of today's leaders in golf, including the PGA of America, USGA, EWGA, Golf for Women Magazine and others.

This is the third year that Pinehurst has participated in the national campaign.

See www.playgolfamerica. com for more information.?