Seven OB Sports-Managed Courses Honored by Golfweek

We-Ko-Pa Saguaro

Longbow, The Oaks, Sandia, Tetherow, Three Crowns, and We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro and Cholla) all make Best State-by-State list

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – Seven golf courses at six golf facilities managed by Scottsdale-based OB Sports Golf Management made the list of 2012 Golfweek’s Best Course: State by State. Longbow Golf Club, The Oaks Golf Club, Sandia Golf Club, Tetherow, Three Crowns Golf Club and We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saguaro and Cholla) all earned rankings in their respective states. We-Ko-Pa’s Saguaro Course also was included in Golfweek’s “Modern” ranking which lists the top 100 courses designed after 1960.

“Congratulations to all the people at the clubs who have worked so hard to create the type of golf experience that is not only recognized by golfers but by industry-leading publication like Golfweek as well,” said Phil Green, Chief Operating Officer of OB Sports Golf Management. “The courses that were honored have made the list from several years, with a few moving up a notch or two. That’s a good indication of the staff’s ongoing dedication and commitment to excellence. Thank you all for making this happen.”

The annual ranking lists the top public-access golf clubs in each state. Of the hundreds of eligible courses within each state, only a few clubs make the list. Course-ranking panelists apply the following criteria when considering each golf course: 1) ease and intimacy of routing, the extent to which the sequence of holes follows natural contours and unfolds in an unforced manner; 2) variety and memorability of par 3s, 4s and 5s, different clubs hit, extent to which the angles of play create interesting and varied playing options, and extent to which holes offer variety of options from the tee and on the second shot; 3) basic quality of conditioning, variety of playing textures, extent of turf coverage, consistency and quality of bunker sand; 4) walk-in-the-park test, degree to which the course ultimately is worth spending a half-day on.

Longbow Golf Club 
Of the hundreds of public-access golf clubs in Arizona considered for the list, only 25 were chosen, and Longbow Golf Club placed 19th. This is the fourth consecutive year (and fifth time in last six years) that Longbow made the list. Longbow Golf Club and Business Park is a 330-acre, mixed-use commercial development that incorporates office, light industrial, retail and hotel uses surrounded by desert vegetation and a main street transportation design and features the award-winning Longbow Golf Club. Longbow Golf Club features a 7,003-yard Ken Kavanaugh-designed golf course that was also ranked as one of the “Top 100 Resort Courses in The Country” by Golfweek magazine for 2009. Daedalus Real Estate Advisors, LLC is a Phoenix-based commercial real estate services company that provides investment, development and communications consulting to corporate real estate clients in Arizona and the Southwest. For more information about Longbow Golf Club visit www.longbowgolf.com, call 480.807.5400 or become a fan of Longbow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/longbowgolfclub, or follow Longbow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/longbowgolfclub.

The Oaks Golf Club 
In Mississippi only 10 were chosen, and The Oaks Golf Club placed 7th. This is the third consecutive year that The Oaks made the list. Originally opened in 1998, The Oaks Golf Club is nestled amongst majestic timberlands and native wetlands providing one of the most unforgettable golfing experiences on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The striking par-72 layout is highlighted by strategic bunkering, dramatic green complexes and a meandering routing and creates a serene and tranquil golf experience. The Oaks has challenged some of the best players in the country as a former host of Nike Tour/Buy.com Tour events in 1999 and 2000 (now the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Series) and having hosted the first stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School in 2003. The Oaks Golf Club also known for having “Hooters Girls” refreshment cart staff. Clad in their traditional Hooters Girl uniforms, these beverage cart staff members provide refreshments and snacks for golfing guests at The Oaks. Fo r tee times or more information on The Oaks Golf Club call (228) 452-0909 or visit www.theoaksgolfclub.com. You can also become a Fan of The Oaks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theoaksgolfclub.

Sandia Golf Club 
Only 10 were chosen in New Mexico, and Sandia Golf Club placed 4th. 2012 marks the sixth consecutive year that Sandia has made the list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sandia Resort & Casino features a world class golf experience that offers a visually stunning and strategic 18 hole golf course designed by Scott Miller, complete practice facility and a 16,000 square foot “Pueblo” style clubhouse featuring restaurant, golf shop and expansive patio. The golf club at Sandia is a key amenity to the Sandia Resort & Casino that is already a popular gaming and entertainment venue. Sandia offers a world class resort that features 228 luxurious, oversized guest rooms including over 30 suites. Every guest room and suite are highlighted by awe-inspiring views of the Albuquerque skyline or the rugged wildness of the Sandia Mountains. The resort also includes over 35,000 square feet of “state of the art” entertainment, meeting & convention space that can accommodate groups up to 30 00, a 12,000 square foot spa and a multitude of dining options including a 410 seat signature buffet, steakhouse and Bien Shur, the roof top gourmet restaurant with an indoor/outdoor entertainment lounge with the most breath-taking views this side of the Valle Grande. For more information on Sandia Golf Club visit www.sandiagolf.com or call 505.798.3990. You can also become a Fan of Sandia on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sandiagolf or Follow Sandia on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SandiaGolf.

Tetherow
In Oregon, only 10 made the ranking. Tetherow earned the 5th spot, ahead of notable names such as Pronghorn (Nicklaus), Crosswater in Sunriver, and Pumpkin Ridge, to name a few. This marks the 4th consecutive year that Tetherow made the ranking. Located minutes from downtown Bend, Oregon, Tetherow is residential golf community that meanders over 700 acres of stunning high-desert terrain and includes 379 home sites ranging in price from the low-$200s to the mid-$700s with acreage of 1/3-acre to more an acre. In addition to custom home sites, Tetherow boasts a striking 18-hole course designed by award-winning architect David McLay Kidd. Recognized by Golf Magazine as the “No. 1 Best New Course You Can Play in The Country” and honored with “Best-New” accolades from Golf Digest, Golfweek, Links and the Robb Report, Tetherow Golf Club has quickly become one of the most sought-after tee time in the Central Oregon golf scene. Tetherow was also honored for environmental stewardshi p and became the first course in Oregon to become a Certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary. The club boasts an 18,000 square-foot clubhouse that features a well-appointed golf shop, restaurant, members Grille and expansive patios with spectacular views of the golf course and surrounding Deschutes National Forest. Other amenities at Tetherow include a complete practice facility, expansive practice putting greens and short-game learning center. Tetherow is situated just minutes from restaurants, cafes and cultural attractions of downtown Bend. Plus, nearby outdoor opportunities abound at Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, on miles of hiking and biking trails, world-class fly fishing and white water rafting on the Deschutes River and more. For more information on Tetherow, view their website at www.tetherow.com or call 541.388.CLUB (2582). You can also become a Fan of Tetherow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tetherowgolf or Follow Tetherow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tetherowgolf.

Three Crowns Golf Club
Only five golf clubs made the list for Wyoming, and Three Crowns Golf Club placed 2nd for the sixth year in a row. Located in Casper, Wyoming, Three Crowns Golf Club features a spectacular Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that plays to a par 72 and stretches to 7,065 yards from the back tees. Three Crowns Golf Club is built on a former Amoco Oil Refinery site along the North Platte River. The whole site is known as the Platte River Commons which will also comprise a business park, jogging trail, and parks, is about 350 acres in total. Golfing guests of Three Crowns are challenged by eight brilliant water features that come into play on 14 holes and more than 80 sand bunkers that contain eye-catching white sand imported from Idaho. After their round, guests enjoy the inviting clubhouse and restaurant, aptly named the “Filling Station”. The entire facility is themed around the historic refinery and the rich petroleum heritage for which this region is known. The monument sign on each teeing ground is a miniature oil derrick, as is the pewter bag tag sold in the well appointed golf shop. The “Filling Station” adorns décor and artifacts from historic refineries, as well as, a unique menu that utilizes terms from the Oil Industry to identify the names of entrees. Even the name Three Crowns itself is symbolic of the three grades of fuel that used to be sold by Standard Oil/Amoco. For additional information on Three Crowns Golf Club call 307-47-CROWN (472.7696) or visit: www.threecrownsgolfclub.com.

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club 
Both golf courses – Cholla and Saguaro – at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club made the Arizona list. Of the hundreds of public-access golf clubs in Arizona considered for the list, only 25 were chosen, and Cholla placed 3rd and Saguaro placed 1st for the sixth year in a row. In fact, it has occupied this spot since it opened in December of 2006. Located on the Fort McDowell Indian Community, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is a daily fee golf facility that consists of the original 18 holes, the Cholla course, designed by Scott Miller and a second 18 holes, the Saguaro course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. In addition to the two 18-hole courses, there is a large practice facility, a full-service clubhouse and a smaller clubhouse serving the Saguaro Course. We-Ko-Pa is owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and is operated by EF Golf and OB Sports Golf Management. For more information on We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, call 480-836-9000 or visit them online at www.wekopa.com. We-Ko-Pa is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wekopagolfclub.

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