After taking a year off due to a conflict with the 2009 Nationals, the NC Open returns with a vengeance as 6 of the top 8 and 9 of the top 17 players in North America battle for the prestigious title. With half of the participants arriving at Pinehurst from outside North Carolina, anticipation and excitement is apparent as most players spent extra time on the lawns today. Play will begin at 8:30 Thursday morning as everyone will play 5-6 block games by noon on Friday to qualify for the final 12 spots in the playoffs.