Ten Miles north of Pinehurst, nestled amid longleaf pines, lies a resort village of Seven Lakes. Initially planned over thirty years ago as a summer home and retirement community, it is one of the fastest growing areas in Moore County with a population approaching 5,000. The community has evolved into a well balanced mix of retirees as well as young professionals with children.  Seven Lakes consists of three distinct communities: Seven Lakes North, Seven Lakes South, and Seven Lakes West. Amenities for these communities include boating, fishing, water sports, tennis, picnic shelters, playground, fitness center, and swimming pool. The community also has public stables providing horseback and equestrian sports and two excellent four star golf courses- Beacon Ridge Golf Club and Seven Lakes Country Club. Its growing commercial center has services that include: supermarket, hardware store, restaurants, banks, lawyers, accountants, video store, gift and antique shops, physicians, optometrists, dentists, chiropractor, and pharmacy. Seven Lakes is named for its seven spring-fed lakes. Fred Lawrence, a Sanford businessman, developed the original project in 1973. Lake Auman, an 820-acre manmade lake is the crown jewel of the Seven Lakes West community.  The gated private community of Seven Lakes combines all the elements of a small town with those of a resort get-away, while remaining an affordable place to live.