Wilson Staff Introduces Environmentally Friendly Eco-Carry Bag

(CHICAGO) - Wilson Staff is proud to introduce the new Wilson Staff Eco-Carry golf bag, the first golf bag on the market made from 100 percent recycled polyester fabric, offering eco-conscious golfers a fashionable and environmentally-friendly golf bag.

The eco-friendly lightweight carry bag utilizes GreenPlus fabric. One Wilson Staff Eco-Carry golf bag is made from the equivalent of 12 plastic one-gallon bottles, similar to two-liter soda bottles. In the initial manufacturing phase, the plastic bottles are crushed into plastic flakes. The flakes are then transformed into a stable fiber through a process called de-polymerization and re-polymerization.

Lastly, the stable fibers produced from this process are woven into a filament yarn that is used as the fabric for the final product. This process reduces the release of carbon dioxide by 70 percent as compared to normal polyester production that can be harmful to the environment.

Designed in an earthy, moss green color, the Wilson Staff Eco-carry golf bag is lightweight (3.7 lbs.) and durable. The slim form features an exclusive, soft neoprene handle and six-way top divider. With a paddle-activated stand built into the top of the bag, a Swivelmax double strap and ergonomic hip pad, the bag is designed to be eco-friendly on the environment and extremely comfortable to carry.

To accompany the environmentally friendly bag, Wilson Staff also has developed the Eco-Core golf ball. The core is manufactured with devulcanized, recycled rubber tires, which reduces landfill waste. The Eco-Core uses 50 percent less packaging and is made from recycled board stock.

The genesis of the Wilson Staff Eco-carry golf bag and Eco-Core golf ball is Wilson Staff's dedication to think globally and play locally, encouraging golfers to take their best shot at doing their part to improve the environment for generations of golfers to come.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Longaberger Golf Club Collects Golf Digest Honors

Acclaimed Arthur Hills Central Ohio Design Offers Championship Golf, First-Class Amenities

(NASHPORT, Ohio) – Longaberger Golf Club today announces that it has been honored as one of the best courses in Ohio, as well as the United States, in Golf Digest’s biennial “The World’s Greatest Golf” rankings.

Golf Digest, one of the industry’s most respected publications, has named Longaberger one of the top 20 courses in Ohio and one of ”America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses.” Muirfield Village, designed by Jack Nicklaus and home to the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament, and the venerable Pebble Beach Golf Links led the respective rankings.

“Longaberger Golf Club is a design masterpiece that not only compares to the finest courses in the country, but also is extremely player-friendly,” says Joseph Livingood, Senior Vice President of Billy Casper Golf, which manages Longaberger Golf Club. “Golf Digest raters routinely experience the best designs, and to have Longaberger positioned among this elite group of courses is an honor.”

The rankings were determined by more than 900 Golf Digest panelists nationwide who played and rated thousands of courses on seven criteria: Shot Values, Resistance to Scoring, Design Variety, Memorability, Aesthetics, Conditioning and Ambience. After panelists filed their evaluations, the magazine averaged the scores of the categories, with Shot Values counting double, and totaled the averages to determine the overall standings.

Entering its 10th-anniversary season, the Arthur Hills design has racked up an impressive list of accolades, including being named the country’s No. 4 course overall in GolfWorld magazine’s inaugural “Readers’ Choice Rankings” in the category “Top 50 Public Courses.” Longaberger Golf Club also ranks No. 57 in the United States (out of roughly 13,500 public-access courses) in GOLF Magazine’s 2008 “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” list and Ohio’s No. 1 course in Golfweek Magazine’s “America’s Best Courses You Can Play 2009” rankings.

Set among scenic, rolling hills and boasting immaculate playing conditions, Longaberger Golf Club is at the hub of a vibrant, greater-Columbus area golf destination that includes several other highly regarded daily-fee courses. Adding to golf-related offerings at Longaberger is a 25-acre natural grass driving range and practice facility, with target greens and a chipping, pitching and bunker area.

To accompany affordable stay-and-play packages that include multiple rounds of golf at the club or opportunities to be paired with other stellar layouts in the area, Longaberger has introduced “Play-All-Day” unlimited golf rates for the 2009 season – further increasing the incredible value.

For more information about Longaberger Golf Club, or to reserve a tee time, visit www.longabergergolfclub.com or call 740.763.1100.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Sun Mountain Intros Micro Cart

New Micro Cart Folds 25 Percent Smaller

(Missoula, Montana) - The new Micro Cart from Sun Mountain is a new-look walking cart sporting four-wheels while folding 25 percent smaller and weighing 20 percent less than leading push carts.

Weighing only 13 lbs. and folding down to 52 cubic inches, the name, Micro Cart, pretty well sums it up. Micro Cart comes with no assembly required and folds and unfolds in one easy motion.

Micro Cart will be available in early 2009 with a full-suggested retail price of $239.

For the retailer nearest you, call 800-227-9224 or visit www.sunmountain.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort Opens Today

(French Lick, IN) - French Lick Resort, located in southern Indiana, announces the new Pete Dye golf course will officially open for play today. The new Dye course marks a significant move forward in the golf renaissance that has been taking place at one of the countries leading resort destinations.

"We are very excited about the opening of the new Pete Dye course here at French Lick Resort. The course is arguably one of the most exciting inland designs that Pete Dye has ever created with panoramic views in all directions," says Dave Harner, Director of Golf at French Lick Resort. "Pete spent a great deal of time on site creating a visually stunning and challenging layout that will test the skills of not only the greatest golfers in the game, but also players of all levels. He did a wonderful job in laying out a variety of tee markers and angles that will make it playable for everyone."

Many already believe that Dye has created one of the most breathtaking and exciting 18 holes of golf in the country. The course was carefully carved on a dramatic hilltop offering a variety of elevation changes, rugged and dramatic terrain, narrow fairways and ever changing bunkers, along with spectacular views from every hole that stretch for over 40 miles.

Acknowledging the advances in modern equipment, golf balls and player fitness, Dye has designed a golf course that stretches over 8,100 yards from the professional tees. However, this new creation welcomes all levels of players. With five sets of tees, yardages begin at 5,100 yards from the forward tees. Most players will probably play from 6,100 to 6,600 yards.

This new course is already gaining recognition. In 2010, the PGA of America will play its PGA Professional National Championship on the new Pete Dye course. This is expected to be the first of several high profile professional events to be hosted here.

The new Dye course showcases many distinct design features, including the newly designed volcano bunkers, as well as stretches of holes on each nine that are vintage Dye. The front nine builds excitement from hole to hole and gets more visually dramatic as the outward nine finishes back up toward the clubhouse with one of the best views on the course.

The back nine offers the most dramatic stretch of holes from Nos. 11-14. This culminates with one of the course's signature holes, No. 14. Stretching nearly 600 yards from the back tees, this par five, with a split fairway, escalates from tee to green over a massive grass hollow that will intimidate even the elite players.

Complementing the new Pete Dye course at French Lick Resort is the historic Donald Ross course, which has just undergone a $4.6 million restoration project that has brought the course back to Ross's original plans.

"We are very excited about showcasing not only this new modern Pete Dye masterpiece, but also our newly restored and historic Donald Ross course, making this truly one of America's must see golf destinations," says Harner.

French Lick Resort is now the only resort in the world that combines the classic history of Donald Ross and the modern day design of the legendary Pete Dye. This combination is a spectacular opportunity for golfers to experience two of the best designers who ever shaped beautiful landscapes into golf courses.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

FootJoy Introduces Puretouch Limited

Experience Luxury and Pure Feel

(Fairhaven, MA) - FootJoy, the No. 1 glove in golf, sets a new standard in feel, fit and performance for the serious player with the introduction of the PureTouch Limited golf glove. Featuring a lighter leather specification, a more tailored, conforming fit and new leather preparation techniques, PureTouch is designed for better players who demand the finest in materials, fit and feel. Due to the exclusive leather specifications and strict manufacturing process, the PureTouch glove will be available in a strict number of shops.

"PureTouch stands above all other golf gloves," says Maria Bonzagni, Director of Golf Glove Marketing, FootJoy. "Every aspect of this glove, from the leather that's selected to the extensive manufacturing process, has been scrutinized to ensure it is the finest, most luxurious glove on the market."

Exceptionally Soft and Supple Feel
Using exclusive Cabretta leather specifications, PureTouch delivers a soft, supple feel never before seen in a golf glove. New leather preparation techniques are applied and the perforations on the palm fingers have been removed which eliminate any disruption between the player and golf club. The end-result is an amazingly soft, luxurious feel.

Precision, Tailored Fit
Every aspect of the glove on the back of the hand was designed to deliver a contoured, conforming, almost molded-like fit to your hand. The tailored cut and targeted elastic placement delivers that custom fit.

Meticulous Construction Elements
Every single detail has been scrutinized during production of the PureTouch glove. The glove has its own dedicated manufacturing line and quality assurance team. Every glove is hand inspected before packaging. In addition, the unique manufacturing process is longer which enhances the soft, supple feel of the glove.

Luxury Package Design
The PureTouch packaging is completely different from any other glove on the market. It invites the consumer to experience luxurious feel from the outside of the package all the way to the moment they slide the glove on their hand.

Tour Use
For the reasons listed above, the PureTouch glove is limited. Therefore the glove is being positioned among the best players in the world and many have already made it their glove of choice. Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington switched to PureTouch immediately.

"All the FootJoy gloves are superb, but I have to say that when I first put the PureTouch on, it felt very different," said Harrington. "The quality was excellent, it was a precision fit, felt very soft and provided a fantastic grip. I've been wearing it for a while now and just love the fit and feel."

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Golf Consumers Rate Kaua‘i Courses Among Nation’s Elite

‘Garden Isle’ Scores High in ZAGAT Survey's Biennial Poll of Discerning Golfers

(Kaua‘i, Hawaii) – ZAGAT America’s Top Golf Courses 2009-10 (Sixth Edition) published its biennial results this month and Kaua‘i courses and resorts scored among the best in the United States in many categories.

The ZAGAT survey covers 1,149 of the top courses in the U.S, including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Results are based on input from 6,054 reviewers, collectively bringing in more than 640,000 annual rounds.

According to ZAGAT, courses that score between 26-30 points on a 30-point scale rate as “extraordinary to perfection.” Three Kaua‘i courses scored in this highest category – Princeville Prince Course, Poipu Bay Golf Course, and Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club’s Kiele/Maile Course. A fourth – Puakea Golf Course – scored in the second-highest level, which ZAGAT terms “Very good to excellent.”

One ZAGAT survey respondent called the Prince Course, which is near the The St. Regis Princeville Resort, “golf at its finest.” Poipu Bay was labeled a “stunning beauty” and is adjacent to the Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort & Spa. Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club, which is located next to the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club, was lauded as “a Kaua‘i must-play.” And Puakea was recognized for its “beautiful design and top-notch maintenance.”

“Having four of Kaua‘i’s five courses in the destination consortium ‘Kaua‘i: Discover Golf’s Ultimate Island Green’ earn this distinction is rewarding,” said Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau Executive Director Sue Kanoho. “But what’s even more exciting to contemplate is where Princeville’s 27-hole Makai Course will rate in the next ZAGAT edition. It is scheduled to unveil its renovation on November 1 this year and it is expected to better than ever.”

Here are the other ZAGAT categories in which Kaua‘i courses and resorts earned top scores:

40 Most Popular in the U.S.
* Princeville Prince
* Poipu Bay

Scenic
* Kauai Lagoons Kiele/Maile
* Puakea
* Poipu Bay
* Princeville Prince Course

Outstanding Lodgings
* The St. Regis Princeville Resort
* Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort & Spa

Top-Rated Facilities
* Princeville
* Poipu Bay

Top-Rated Service
* Poipu Bay

Junior Friendly
* Poipu Bay

Storied
* Poipu Bay

Fine Food Too
* Poipu Bay
* Princeville

Par-3 Holes
* Princeville Prince

Practice Facilities
* Princeville Prince

Private Functions
* Princeville Prince

Pro Shops
* Princeville Prince

Princeville Prince and Poipu Bay were two of the five top-rated courses in Hawaii by ZAGAT Survey respondents.

For more information about the Garden Isle, visit www.kauaidiscovery.com/activities/golfing/ or call 800-262-1400.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Sweetgrass Golf Club Readies for 2009, Opening Day April 30

Newest Amenity of the Island Resort & Casino Offers Value-Laden Stay-and-Play Packages

(HARRIS, Michigan) – Sweetgrass Golf Club – recently ranked by Golfweek as one of the state’s “Best Courses You Can Play” – announces, weather permitting, April 30 will be Opening Day for the 2009 golf season.

Owned and operated by the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation, the Paul Albanese-designed course – located in the unspoiled splendor of the Upper Peninsula – subtly pays homage to Native American lore throughout the championship layout. 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 newest amenity to the Island Resort & Casino, Sweetgrass stretches to 7,300 yards from the tips and promises 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 response to Sweetgrass Golf Club last season was incredible and we’re expecting an even greater reaction this season as the course continues to mature,” says Island Resort & Casino General Manager Tom McChesney. “Whether our guests are coming in for the day just to play golf or taking advantage of one-of-many stay-and-play packages and enjoying our restaurants and gaming, our staff is looking forward to making them feel right at home.”

Highlighting the stay-and-play packages is the Perfect 4-Some – which includes golfers’ choice of two or three nights at the luxurious Island Resort & Casino and three rounds of golf to be played between the brand new Sweetgrass Golf Club, TimberStone and Marquette Greywalls for as little as $249, based on double occupancy.

Off the golf course, the resort boasts the brand new, luxurious Palm Tower, which adds 162 spacious, well-appointed rooms and luxurious penthouse suites to the existing Sun Tower’s 113 rooms. Additionally, the Island Showroom hosts national acts, Club Four One nightclub and the Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar welcome guests looking to dine or quench their thirst, and the Vegas-style gaming floor was expanded with an additional 500 slot machines.

Sweetgrass Golf Club and the Island Resort & Casino are easily accessible via a pair of regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette. For more information on the course and resort, please visit www.islandresortandcasino.com/ or call 800-682-6040, ext. 2252.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Canadian Rockies Courses Honored in Golf Digest’s Biennial “Best-of” Issue

Three Iconic Courses Lauded as Top in Country; Noted for Design, Scenery and Playability

(ALBERTA, Calgary) – The Canadian Rockies golf-and-resort lifestyle destination consortium announces three of its courses have earned Golf Digest’s prestigious “Best of Canada” award in its biennial rankings of the world’s top facilities.

The Fairmont Banff Springs, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Kananaskis Country Golf Course placed eighth, 18th and 19th respectively on this coveted list which considered more than 2,100 Canadian courses. Banff Springs was also named on the exclusive “100 Best Courses Outside the United States.”

The three courses are members of the Canadian Rockies golf-and-resort lifestyle consortium which also includes highly acclaimed Canmore Golf & Curling Club, Stewart Creek Golf & Country Club and Silvertip Resort – home course to PGA Tour Professional Stephen Ames. Together, these courses are unparalleled for natural splendor, challenging yet playable mountain landscapes with varying elevation drops, abundant wildlife and breathtaking setting. Its collective brand tagline says it all: “Canadian Rockies Golf: Historic. Dramatic. Untamed.”

The Fairmont Banff Springs and The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge showcase classically designed 18 holes by the iconic Stanley Thompson and nestled in the heart of Banff and Jasper National Parks, capitalizing on the area’s stunning scenery. The Fairmont Banff Springs course boasts 147 bunkers with the infamous par-3 200-yard Devil’s Cauldron while The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is home to the 140-yard 15th hole – frequently considered one of the four best short holes in the world.

Both Fairmont properties were honored in the prestigious “World’s Best 25 International Golf Hotel” listings with The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge ranked 10th and The Fairmont Banff Springs at 15th, validating that the Canadian Rockies golf-and-resort lifestyle consortium is one of the world’s most coveted travel destinations.

Meanwhile Kananaskis Country’s Mount Lorette – one of two dramatic layouts designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. on the club’s property – winds through the cascading Kananaskis River, a location that Jones himself called “the best natural setting I have ever been given to work with.” The club’s Mount Kidd course features one of the world’s most photographed holes – the island-like green on No. 4.

“It’s no secret that Stanley Thompson and Robert Trent Jones Sr. are two of golf’s best architects in history,” says Gordon Schultz, spokesman for the consortium. “To have three of the designs by these men lauded on such a list speaks volumes for the high-caliber of facilities in our consortium. All of the courses are consistently ranked in various influential publications as “best-of” – there’s no better natural setting in which to golf.”

Golf Digest's biennial rankings are determined by the magazine's course rating panelists, a group of several hundred low-handicap golfers who rated thousands of courses on a 10-point scale in various criteria and the results appear in the May 2009 issue, currently on newsstands.

The Canadian Rockies golf-and-lifestyle consortium is the ideal destination for outdoor lovers and those looking for peace and pampering. Combine the spectacular scenery and summer daylight as late as 11 p.m. and golfers can play to their heart’s delight and still have time for family and the region’s many activities. These include award- winning spas, helicopter tours, hiking, fishing, rafting, gourmet restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, horseback riding and many children’s programs.

What people are increasingly discovering, however, are the proximity of these properties to one another as well as the combined wealth of resort and lifestyle options accessible by Calgary and Edmonton airports – from international and commercial to regional and private.

To view the stunning topography, vacation options and learn more about the area visit www.canadianrockiesgolf.ca. Website visitors can view stay-and-play packages or request custom quotes for trips and packages or they may call 877.323.3633 for more information.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

New Jersey National Golf Club Hosting Summer Junior Golf Camps

Summer Camps Open To All Boys And Girls Ages 7-14

(BASKING RIDGE, N.J.) - As part of their junior golf initiative, New Jersey National Golf Club, a private 18-hole Championship Golf Course located in Basking Ridge, N.J., recently announced they will be hosting four weeks of Summer Golf Camp for boys and girls ages 7 through 14. The 2009 Summer Junior Golf Camps will tee off June 23 through 26, and will be led by Head PGA Golf Professional, Sean Toohey.

The Summer Junior Golf Camps are available to first-time golfers, as well as boys and girls of all skill levels, as campers will be grouped according to age and playing ability. The programming is designed to match each student's ability, and the curriculum is flexible to ensure learning is paced for each student.

Each Summer Golf Camp session will include general knowledge of the rules of golf; the fundamentals of the swing, including the grip, stance, posture, ball position, alignment, balance, body rotation and follow-through position; proper golf etiquette, and of course, on-course play.

Each session will be overseen by the Head Golf Professional, along with New Jersey National's seasoned staff of PGA Professionals, including Mike Stankowski, Damien Hamlett, Mike Mytro and Brian Wheller.

"The golf staff is looking forward to an exciting summer of Junior Golf Camps, as the opportunity to teach young and aspiring golfers about the game is always rewarding," says Sean Toohey, Head Golf Professional, New Jersey National Golf Club. "New Jersey National offers a clean and safe environment, and most importantly, the campers will have an enjoyable experience, while learning and playing this great game."

New Jersey National will offer four Summer Golf Camp sessions. The first camp session runs from June 23rd to June 26th; the second session from July 7th to July 10th; the third session from July 21st to July 24th; and the final session of the summer will take place August 18th to August 21st. The Summer Golf Camps will include snacks and drinks Tuesday through Thursday and lunch on Friday. All camps run from 9 a.m. to noon and are $225 for members and $250 for non-members.

For more information or to reserve a spot, please call the Pro Shop at 908-781-9400 ext. 3.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Golf Digest Names Circling Raven One of Country's ‘100 Greatest Public Courses”

Award-Winning Amenity of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and its CDA CasinoResort Hotel in Worley, Idaho Continues to Garner Best-Of Awards

(WORLEY, Idaho) – While accumulating best-in-kind honors has been a constant since Day One at Circling Raven, some distinctions stand out more than others. Golf Digest magazine’s biennial ranking of “America’s Greatest Public Courses” is one of them.

It’s not just that the magazine is considered, along with a select few others, the Holy Grail resource for discerning golfers and resort lifestyle travelers. It’s also the methodology employed.
Golf Digest's biennial rankings are determined by the magazine's course rating panelists, a group of several hundred low-handicap golfers who rate many thousand U.S. courses on a 10-point scale in various criteria.

“Considering there are roughly 13,500 public access courses in the U.S. being named one of the ‘100 Greatest’ by this esteemed magazine is extremely humbling and gratifying,” said Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel CEO David Lasarte-Meeks.

This is the debut for Circling Raven on Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” and it didn’t just eke in. The Gene Bates-designed course landed at an impressive No. 61, joining the likes of other heavyweight courses such as Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pacific Dunes, Whistling Straits, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, Bethpage (Black Course), and Torrey Pines (South Course), which hosted Tiger Woods’ epic U.S. Open Championship win over Rocco Mediate last summer.

Also on the list is Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course (No. 75), which is an easy, scenic drive from Circling Raven and one reason why many avid golf travelers seek out the Idaho panhandle for a spectacular, value-laden golf-resort getaway. Another reason is Palouse Ridge in Eastern Washington and a short hop from Circling Raven. Palouse Ridge was named a best-new course last year upon its grand opening by many prominent golf publications, and it, along with Circling Raven Golf Club and Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course offer a formidable trio of A-plus golf courses close to one another and Spokane Airport (GEG).

In addition to being named one of “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” Circling Raven also shone in Golf Digest’s “Best-in-State 2009-10” breakdown, both biennial lists of which appear in the May 2009 issue which is currently on newsstands.

The Best-in-State lists combine both public and private courses, and Circling Raven came in at No. 5, trailing three private courses and a recently-shuttered public-access resort course. Hence, Circling Raven is effectively the No. 1-rated public course in Idaho by Golf Digest.

This is the latest award garnered by Circling Raven, which has accumulated 40 since its first full season (2004). Recent honors bestowed upon Circling Raven include:
* Top 100 Courses You Can Play 2008-09 – GOLF Magazine
* Top-40 Casino Courses in the U.S. (No. 4) – Golf Digest
* No. 1 in Idaho, America’s Best Courses You Can Play – Golfweek Magazine 2009
* Top U.S. Resort Courses – Golfweek Magazine 2008
* America's Top Golf Courses - Zagat Survey 2007-08 rankings
* No. 1 Tribal Golf Course in America - Native American Casino Magazine 2008
* Top 36 Resort Courses in the West – Fairways + Greens Magazine 2008
* Resort Merchandiser of the Year – PGA of America Northwest Section 2008
* Resort Merchandiser of the Year – Inland Empire Chapter of the PGA 2008
* Service Excellence Award by the Coeur d’Alene Area Chapter of the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor

For more information about Circling Raven Golf Club or Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort & Hotel call 1-800-523-2464 or visit www.circlingraven.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Mississippi Courses Honored in Golf Digest’s Biennial 'America’s Greatest Courses'

Venues and Course Types Run the Gamut from State Park andCasino Amenities to the Site of the PGA TOUR’S Viking Classic

(JACKSON, Mississippi) – The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism today announces that 10 courses in the state have been voted to Golf Digest magazine’s biennial ranking of “America’s Greatest Courses State by State 2009-10.”

Furthermore, one of them – Fallen Oak in Saucier – garnered the elite distinction of being named to the magazine’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses,” debuting on this coveted list at No. 19. Mississippi’s best-in-state courses according to Golf Digest are:
* No. 1 – Annandale Country Club (Madison), Jack Nicklaus design hosts the state’s annual PGA Tour stop, the Viking Classic, which Will MacKenzie won last fall and will be played Oct. 29-Nov. 1 this year
* No. 2 – Fallen Oak Golf Club (Saucier), Tom Fazio design and amenity of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, an MGM Resorts Property and sister course to Shadow Creek in Las Vegas
* No. 3 – Old Waverly (West Point), designed by Bob Cupp and Jerry Pate, hosted 1999 U.S Women’s Open won by Juli Inkster and U.S.G.A. 2006 Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship
* No. 4 – Reunion Golf & Country Club (Madison), Bob Cupp design across the street from No. 1 Annandale, these two renowned private courses offer as good a one-two punch as exists
* No. 5 – Hattiesburg Country Club (Hattiesburg), recently renovated private club course which has hosted many national golf events including the PGA TOUR’s former Magnolia Classic, now called the Viking Classic and held at No. 1 Annandale
* No. 6 – Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, Azaleas Course (Philadelphia), designed by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate, an amenity of the Pearl River Resort which annually hosts a Hooters Tour event; many say it has an Augusta National look and feel
* No. 7 – Shell Landing Golf Club (Gautier), designed by Davis Love III, unspoiled natural beauty and environmental sensitivity are hallmarks of the modern design; tricky, fast greens are one of the course’s primary defenses
* No. 8 – Grand Bear Golf Club (Saucier), designed by Jack Nicklaus, an amenity of Harrah’s Grand Casino Biloxi, meanders through the DeSoto National Forest and is an unencumbered, pure golf experience
* No. 9 – The Dogwoods Golf Course (Grenada), nestled in the expansive natural environs of Hugh White State Park, this Gary Roger Baird design has also been tabbed “America’s Best Golf Bargain” by Golf Digest
* No. 10 – The Bridges Golf Club at Hollywood Casino (Bay St. Louis), Mississippi’s only Arnold Palmer Signature Design, shot-maker’s delight scenically located adjacent to the casino and bay.

Golf Digest's biennial best-in-state rankings are determined by the magazine's course rating panelists, a group of several hundred low-handicap golfers who rated thousands of U.S. courses on a 10-point scale in various criteria. These updated state-by-state rankings appear in the May 2009 issue of Golf Digest which is currently on newsstands.

“Mississippi is delighted to have our courses recognized for their excellence by Golf Digest magazine,” says Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division Director D. Craig Ray. “We hope this will inspire golfers to visit our great state and discover why Mississippi is rapidly becoming known as one of the best golf destinations worldwide.”

For more information about these courses or to schedule a visit to Mississippi, call toll-free to 866-801-8551 or go to http://www.visitmississippi.org/ and receive a free Golf Travel Guide and suggested play-and-stay itineraries.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

ZAGAT Survey Ranks Pawleys Plantation among Top Golf Courses

(PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C.) - One of the nation's leading surveyors of American travelers, ZAGAT, has ranked Pawleys Plantation among the top golf courses in the United States, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in its recently released 2009-10 guide, America's Top Golf Courses 6th Edition. ZAGAT surveyed more than 6,054 avid golfers for the ratings and reviews in the guide.

Those surveyed rated Pawleys Plantation as "very good to excellent" in all categories including the course, facilities, service, and value. Describing the course as "one of Jack Nicklaus' best designs," the guide reports that the course "is an example of true Southern Golf all the way down to the plantation-style clubhouse."

ZAGAT is the brand name of America's leading guides to restaurants, golf, and hotels. The 2009/2010 golfer's guide contains over 1,000 player reviews of the country's public, semi-private and resort courses. Pawleys Plantation was also ranked very highly in the 2007-08 edition.

"Pawleys Plantation is very excited and honored to be recognized by ZAGAT again," says Jann Walker, director of marketing for Pawleys Plantation. "We take pride in our well-conditioned course and are thrilled the raters continue to rank our course so highly. Zagat is known for producing reliable resources for travelers, so we know that when ZAGAT speaks, travelers listen."

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Golf Digest Ranks The Territory among Top Oklahoma Courses

State’s Premiere Golf and Residential Community Offers Private-Club Experience via Value-Laden Packages

(Southwest Oklahoma) – The Territory, a golf and residential community near the town of Duncan, today announces it has garnered the No. 6 spot in Golf Digest’s 2009-10 Best-in-State rankings.

A culmination of a vision by owners Rick and Barbara Braught, The Territory joins high-profile courses such as Southern Hills and Oak Tree – both of which have hosted major championships – in Oklahoma’s Top 10. The golf and residential community has also recently been named a “Best New” and “Top Residential” course by Golfweek Magazine – adding to the list of impressive accolades over its five years in operation.

“From Day 1 at The Territory, our goal was to introduce a course and residential community that would stand the test of time and be one of the finest clubs anywhere,” says Rick Braught. “We’re honored that a prestigious publication such as Golf Digest thinks so highly of our course.”

Hard on the Chisholm Trail, amid the rolling hills and native grasses which define The Territory’s terrain, the Randy Heckenkemper-designed golf course features five sets of tees (ranging from 4,845 to 7,110 yards), a state-of-the-art training facility and a three-hole short course.

Off the golf course, The Territory is flush with luxurious amenities such as the Prairie House – headed by Chef Keith Zinke – and myriad outdoor activities. The Prairie House offers members and guests some of the finest cuisine in the region, while a swimming pool and multi-purpose sport court cater to the children, as well as the young at heart.

Not only is The Territory within a short drive of lakes for boating and fishing and mere minutes from a pair of schools, shopping, dining and churches, but also the Duncan Regional Hospital was named to the Solucient Top 100 Hospitals – a list of more than 3,000 hospitals that identifies industry benchmarks by recognizing U.S. hospitals that have achieved excellence in quality of care, operational efficiency, financial performance and adaptation to the environment.

The Golf Digest rankings were determined by more than 900 panelists nationwide who played and rated thousands of courses on seven criteria: Shot Values, Resistance to Scoring, Design Variety, Memorability, Aesthetics, Conditioning and Ambience. After panelists filed their evaluations, the magazine averaged the scores of the categories, with Shot Values counting double, and totaled the averages to determine the overall standings.

For more information on The Territory, call 580.475.0075 or visit www.territorygolf.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Augusta Ranked at Top of Golf Digest List

(NEW YORK) - For only the second time in the 25 years of Golf Digest's biennial ranking, there is a new No. 1 golf course in the country. Augusta National Golf Club has taken over the top honors on Golf Digest's list of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses.

Ranked No. 2 on the 2009-2010 list, Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey dropped out of first place for only the second time ever and the first time since 2001 when Pebble Beach Golf Links overtook it. Pebble Beach ranks 6th on the 2009-2010 list and remains No. 1 in the ranking of the 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses, a title the course has held since the list's inception in 2003.

Golf Digest has conducted America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses rankings since 1966, making it the oldest and most respected ranking in the game. The 100 Greatest package, which also includes America's 100 Greatest Public Courses and the 100 Best Courses Outside the United States, appears in the May 2009 issue of Golf Digest. Complete rankings, including the list of the Best Courses in Each State and a database of every course that has appeared on one or more of Golf Digest's national rankings, will also be available online at www.golfdigest.com/go/100greatest starting April 6.

Rounding out the Top 10 on America's 100 Greatest are: No. 3 Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, No. 4 Cypress Point Club, No. 5 Oakmont Country Club, No. 7 Merion Golf Club (East), No. 8 Winged Foot Golf Club (West), No. 9 Fishers Island Club - up from No. 16 in 2007 and the only new addition to the top-10 - and No. 10 Seminole Golf Club.

"Although the architectural changes at Augusta National have received criticism over the past few years, our panel consensus ranked it No. 1," said Ron Whitten, Golf Digest senior editor of Architecture. "We evaluate seven different aspects of each course's design, and while it's hard to pinpoint individual reasons for a course's ranking, I think it's fair to say that Shot Values and Resistance to Scoring were the likely categories that contributed to Augusta's elevation."

Because America's 100 Greatest includes private courses that most readers don't have access to, Golf Digest established a ranking of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses in 2003 to showcase the top courses in the nation that are open to all golfers.

Behind Pebble Beach at No. 1, the Top 10 on America's 100 Greatest Public Courses includes: No. 2 Pacific Dunes, No. 3 Whistling Straits (Straits), No. 4 The Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, No. 5 Bethpage State Park (Black), No. 6 Pinehurst Resort & Country Club (No. 2), No. 7 Bandon Dunes, No. 8 Shadow Creek Golf Course, No. 9 TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium Course) and No. 10 Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club.

To determine America's 100 Greatest, America's 100 Greatest Public and the Best Courses in Each State, Golf Digest's more than 900 panelists nationwide played and rated thousands of courses on seven criteria, each on a scale of 1 to 10: Shot Values, Resistance to Scoring, Design Variety, Memorability, Aesthetics, Conditioning and Ambience. After panelists filed their evaluations, Golf Digest averaged the scores of the seven categories (scores in the Shot Values category count double) and totaled the averages to determine the overall rankings.

The international rankings were compiled from ballots submitted by U.S. and international golf-course panelists, editors among Golf Digest's network of 23 editions of the magazine and other affiliate magazines around the world.

A course must be two years old to be considered for America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses and at least a year old for any other ranking. All panelists involved in the ratings travel and play at their own expense and on their own timetables.

Eight courses not in the previous ranking made the 2009-2010 list of America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses:
No. 27 - The Club at Black Rock, Coeur d'Alene, ID
No. 39 - Sebonack Golf Club, Southampton, NY
No. 42 - Canyata Golf Club, Marshall, IL
No. 68 - Stone Canyon Club, Oro Valley, AZ
No. 76 - Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, PA
No. 80 - Bandon Trails, Bandon, OR
No. 83 - Eagle Point Golf Club, Wilmington, NC
No. 100 - Crooked Stick Golf Club, Carmel, IN

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Pocono Mountains Golf Courses Partner with Genesis Golf Trips

Four-county Northeastern Pennsylvania Golf Destination Features Classic Designs, Modern Gems by Industry’s Legendary Architects

(POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pa.) – The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau today announces its partnership with Genesis Golf Trips, offering customers a one-of-a-kind golf experience to the four-county, 36-course destination with myriad options to accommodate all skill levels and prices.

The partnership, new for the 2009 golf season, provides a variety of packages incorporating as many or as little of the esteemed Pocono Mountain courses desired by the individual. This enables golfers to try different facilities and/or play 36 holes in a day.

“Combining the marketing force of Genesis Golf Trips with the golf experience of the Pocono Mountains is a match made in heaven,” says Carl Wilgus, President and CEO of the PMVB. “Visitors can golf at a difference course each day for a month and still have some of our award-winning facilities left.”

From classic designs featuring tight fairways and postage stamp-sized greens to expansive resort courses with in-demand amenities; championship courses that challenge the best golfer to options that are both economical and less imposing for the beginner, the Pocono Mountains have satisfy every golfer’s want and need. The Pocono Mountains continue to evolve developing new courses and offering gaming in addition to a plethora of other leisurely pursuits and outdoor activities.

Genesis Golf Trips acts as an unbiased, third-party point of contact to evaluate and meet consumer needs through a variety of options available. Genesis provides four-star planning services and accountability to golfers even though they may be playing multiple and independently owned golf courses.

Information about the Pocono Mountains’ partners is available on www.PoconoGolfTrips.com. For more information on the area, visit www.800poconos.com or call 800-POCONOS (800-762-6667).

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com

Stone Canyon Golf Club Set to Open May 15

Kansas City's First Greg Norman Signature Design Offers Introductory Play Opportunity

(INDEPENDENCE, MO.) - The Greg Norman-designed Stone Canyon Golf Club is set to open May 15th, 2009. Located just east of Kansas City, in Independence, Stone Canyon is the first Greg Norman Signature Design in the greater Kansas City area. The layout at Stone Canyon will provide members and their guests with a truly memorable golf challenge with Norman's signature design traits that include closely mown green surrounds, creative bunkering and landscape accents that pay homage to some of the great courses in the world.

Stone Canyon will be introduced to the greater Kansas City metropolitan area in 2009 but will not officially begin operation as a private club until 2010. Upon opening on May 15th and during a limited time during this inaugural season, Stone Canyon Golf Club will offer a preview rate of just $50 per player including golf car (regular unaccompanied guest rate will be $80).

"Our goal is to have every golfer in the region experience Stone Canyon Golf Club and this stunning Greg Norman Design at least once this season, stated David Goff, vice president of operations for OB Sports (the management company overseeing operations at Stone Canyon). "For those that take advantage of this introductory offer and want to make Stone Canyon their home course, we have created a 'Priority Membership Offering' that will allow families and individuals to reserve their spot and receive additional benefits in the meantime. Becoming a Stone Canyon Priority Member requires only a $1,000 deposit which is fully refundable should members decide not to exercise the option of joining the Club in 2010," added Goff.

The Stone Canyon Community offers 230 homes for luxury single-family living. Masterfully planned around the remarkable Greg Norman Signature private golf course, these rolling 362 acres of quintessential Missouri landscape provide an ideal setting for a restorative lifestyle. Stone Canyon homeowners will also enjoy special membership privileges at Stone Canyon Golf Club which will offer a variety of amenities. Located within the Gold Star award-winning Blue Springs School District and only minutes away from local entertainment, shopping and dining, Stone Canyon is uniquely positioned to provide easy access to the places you need to go while providing a home that invites you to step away from it all.

For more information on Stone Canyon Golf Club, e-mail cwwoods@stonecanyongolfclub.com, call: (816) 228-3333 or visit www.stonecanyongolfclub.com.

Contact: AmericanGolferBlog@gmail.com