More Than Just 'Rich Golfers'

As of Thursday, July 5, 2012

Talking about being out of touch!

Tom Crosby, AAA vice president of communication for the Carolinas, was quoted recently saying the price of gas in Moore County, which is the highest in the state and runs 25-30 cents per gallon more than surrounding counties, is higher because, “It’s a lot of rich people playing golf, right? That is why it is more expensive.”

Thanks, Tom, for that bit of info! But keep in mind there are more people in Moore County than rich golfers. We also have a working class of people struggling to just make ends meet.

Drive through Pinehurst and surrounding communities and see how many golfers you see.

The other thousands you see are the “other than rich” going about their jobs, if lucky enough to have one, and of course burning gas bought at the premium price.

Of course, the major players and suppliers will not return phone calls. They are ashamed to face the working public with the hurt they are inflicting. Why not just come out and tell us we are getting it put to us by the controlling few in Moore County? Frankly I have seen few “rich golfers” lately, and if I did they were not buying gas.

Personally, I am not a “rich golfer,” nor even a golfer, just a person in the textile industry, or what is left of it. My older son and daughter-in law are not golfers either, just a family with two children trying to manage. My other son and his family, not golfers, the same, all working and trying to survive.

Look around Moore County, Tom. You will see a lot of other than “rich golfers,” all paying the price at the pump. Maybe we are creating “rich golfers”? Or maybe just “rich”?

Bill Price

Pinehurst

More like this story

DaveyNC 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Mr. Price, I have heard that if you ask nicely, the oil companies will develop your own personal price, just for you. They will completely ignore all other aspects of any local market if you will only ask.

skylinefirepest 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Davey....just for giggles, I bought new tires recently for the Highlander and got them from Wally World. But since they weren't in stock here I had to pick them up in Rockingham. They were ten bucks per tire cheaper there than here and I was told it was because of Pinehurst. Told by their tire man! True? Probably!

bigD 10 months, 3 weeks ago

So the cost of living in Pinehurst is higher...what would tires cost in Boston or NYC?

getreal 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Gas price for regular in Sanford, July 5th. $3.02 per gallon. They are practicing price gouging here. Don't like it? Don't buy your gas here. Maybe if business falls off, they will wake up and stop trying to stick it to the residents of Pinehurst.

Bigguy 10 months, 3 weeks ago

I went thru Sanford July 4th on my way to Raleigh, gas prices were$3.18- $3.21 on the highway. Same in Raleigh. Last week had been in Mebane and the prices were down to $2.95. Fayetteville was around $3.18 except at Sam's $3.05.

DaveyNC 10 months, 3 weeks ago

People move here for the benefits that Moore County has to offer and with that comes a little bit of a downside. On the one hand, we get lots of restaurants and new stores and on the other, we pay more for gas. Take away the resorts and the tourists and the large number of retirees and we would be Scotland County. I don't mind paying a little bit more for gas if that is the trade off.

The_AnonymusProfit 10 months, 3 weeks ago

Seriously? Take your average 3 bedroom house in Moore County and sell it in Ridgewood New Jersey. Down here about 175k, there about 500k.

The cost of living is different everywhere. Thats just how it is. Gas is cheaper in Fayetnam. But cigarettes are higher, how do I know this? I live in moore county, I work in fayetville and I smoke. I buy my smokes from the wall greens on hwy 1 in aberdeen and I buy my gas in fayetville.

Markets are different everywhere. A water heater in NC is cheaper then a water heater in Mississippi. Why is that? Different market.

And as Davey points out. The only thing that keeps this town from being bust are the golfers and moore regional hospital. Go outside of Aberdeen, Pinehurst, Southern Pines to Vass, Cameron, Raeford, Robbins, Carthage. How do those areas look? Why do they look that way? No industry or commercial application. Carthage is a bit better because of the jail and the court house.

airwolf 10 months, 2 weeks ago

This is all about Moore county, NC and not New Jersey. We don't care to hear about Jersey. Yes the gas prices are the highest here in Moore county simply because of the Yanks (the rich golfers) moving to this area.

airwolf 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Pocket picking @ its best!

skylinefirepest 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Actually TAP I have to disagree with you. You don't see a multitude of golfers supporting the stores and eateries in the area. People come from Sanford and Rockingham to shop and eat here. The golfers support Pinehurst but that's probably about it. The housing market is great for retirees and now the military is picking up steam in our area.

DaveyNC 10 months, 2 weeks ago

skyline, my daughter waits tables in one of the chain restaurants in SP. By far, the best tippers she gets are golfers.

JD 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Carthage is a bit better because of the jail and the court house.

Not knocking you, this is just a sad reflection of a town when those are the best things you have going for you.

By far, the best tippers she gets are golfers.

Horny old men on retreat from the wife. They always tip young women well. I remember working for Pinehurst in H.S. beverage cart girls suffered constant on the job harassment from golfers, but they tipped well, so the girls just dealt with it.

The_AnonymusProfit 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Skyline im on a cell but i think i can show you how they do

NocOwl 10 months, 2 weeks ago

Mr Price, just because Tom Crosby said it, doesn't mean he's responsible for it! It sounds like you're appealing to him to change the gas prices, but there is nothing he can do about it, he was just speaking the truth about the reason for price gouging. Despite the many non-rich working class here it is still considered a tourist area, and prices are higher in tourist areas no matter where you go. I agree with the folks who say to stop paying the prices here. My husband works outside of Moore County, so when my car is low on gas, we trade vehicles for a day so he can fill mine at a cheaper price. If you don't want to drive far for cheaper gas, the prices are more reasonable at the gas stations on 211 going towards Hoke County, and I think down in Pinebluff.