Sweetgrass Golf Club Honored by Golf Digest as "Best-New" Course

Amenity of the Island Resort & Casino Continues to Garner Top Awards from Leading Publications

(HARRIS, MI) - Sweetgrass Golf Club - the rising-star amenity of the Island Resort & Casino -- today announces it earned Golf Digest magazine's esteemed "America's Best New Courses 2009" honor, adding to the impressive roster of awards garnered from high-profile, national publications.

Owned and operated by the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation, Sweetgrass is an 18-hole, par-72 masterpiece which stretches 7,300 yards from the tips. Offering five sets of tees, the layout subtly pays homage to Native American lore. Historic bridges rescued from the region, intricate rockwork and a liberal sprinkling of the namesake sweetgrass add to the course's unique look and feel.

Defining new courses as ones opened from May 2008 -- April 2009, Golf Digest raters judged each course for shot values, design variety, memorability, resistance to scoring and aesthetics. Averages, from each category, were combined and totaled to determine the winners. Golf Digest's rating system is unique as its nearly 1,000 low-handicap raters play and evaluate nominated courses at their own expense.

Golfweek previously honored Sweetgrass - designed by Paul Albanese and opened in 2008 - with "Best New" and "Best in State" list distinction.

"Sweetgrass, Island Resort & Casino and the Hannahville Band of the Potawatomi Nation are extremely gratified to receive this award," said Island Resort & Casino General Manager Tom McChesney. "We will continue to enhance the course as we strive to provide our guests and visitors with an exceptional experience."

Boasting more than 1,400 slot machines and 24/7 gaming, the Island Resort & Casino offers Craps, Blackjack, Roulette, Poker and more. The Island Showroom hosts top musical acts from a variety of musical genres. Dining options include the Firekeeper's Restaurant, Beachcomber Restaurant & Bar, Coral Reef Grille and Bingo Snack Bar. Live music in the lounge, the Club Four One nightclub, a swimming pool and conference center are other popular resort offerings.

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 Michigan airports in Escanaba and Marquette as well as Green Bay, Wisconsin.

For more information on the Island Showroom, the casino or Sweetgrass Golf Club, please visit www.islandresortandcasino.com, www.sweetgrassgolfclub.com or call 800-682-6040, ext. 2252.

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