Sweetgrass Debuts in Golfweek’s ‘America’s Best Courses You Can Play’ List

Brand New Amenity of the Island Resort & Casino Recognized for its Design, Playability

(HARRIS, MI) – In its first year of eligibility, Sweetgrass Golf Club – the newest amenity of the Island Resort & Casino – was named No. 20 on Golfweek’s 2009 ‘Best Courses You Can Play’ state-by-state rankings; besting nearly 700 Michigan facilities.

Unveiled this week, the rankings were based on routing, feature shaping, natural setting, greens, variety, conditioning and maintenance, landscape management overall impressionability and other criteria. Hundreds of Golfweek raters spent months examining thousands of courses nationwide to determine its prestigious “Best-of” list.

“To be recognized as a top facility in the state with not even a full season under our belts is remarkable,” says General Manager Tom McChesney. “We’ve strived to incorporate the region’s heritage into a playable, yet challenging course and think golfers will be happily surprised when they visit Sweetgrass and the Upper Peninsula and quick to return.”

Owned and operated by the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation, the resort unveiled the Paul Albanese-designed Sweetgrass in July of 2008. The course subtly pays homage to Native American lore throughout the championship layout, while historic bridges rescued from the region, intricate rockwork and a liberal sprinkling of its namesake sweetgrass add to the course’s unique look and feel.

The course stretches to 7,300 yards from the tips, promising to challenge the best golfers, while the beginner-friendly forward tees measure a modest 5,000 yards. In all, five sets of tees accommodate golfers of all levels.

The Island Resort & Casino is bringing back its popular “Perfect 4-Some” stay-and-play package in 2009. Golfers can enjoy two nights at the luxurious resort and play three rounds of golf on a trio of the Upper Peninsula’s finest courses – Sweetgrass Golf Club, TimberStone and Marquette Greywalls – for as little as $249, based on double occupancy. Greywalls also made Golfweek’s “Best in State” list.

Located in the unspoiled beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Island Resort & Casino and Sweetgrass Golf Club are easily accessible via a pair of regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette.

For more information on the Island Showroom, the casino or Sweetgrass Golf Club, please visit http://www.islandresortandcasino.com/ or call 800-682-6040, ext. 2125.

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