Belgrade Lakes Called,"A Good Course With a Great Public Relations Effort" in November Issue
SHORT HILLS, N.J. (November 5, 2007) — Despite being called, "one of the best Maine golf courses" and "one of the best public courses in the country" by several national golf magazines, Golf Odyssey: The Insider’s Guide to Sophisticated Golf Travel recently wrote that Belgrade Lakes Golf Club is undeserving of the accolades. These findings are based on a recent site inspection by Golf Odyssey and detailed in its just-released November 2007 issue.
While the course’s many elevated tee boxes afforded beautiful views and set up dramatic shots, its predominantly downhill-running holes with ultra-wide fairways, modest rough, and large, unobstructed greens, prompted Golf Odyssey’s reviewers to call it a, "short, mostly defenseless track" and they couldn’t understand, "how any serious golfer would choose to play here rather than at scores of ‘lesser rated’ courses."
By traveling anonymously and refusing advertising, discounts, and free, "FAM" trips from the properties it reviews, Golf Odyssey experiences golf courses, resorts and restaurants as the general public would, and it
made one of its unannounced visits this summer to Maine’s Belgrade Lakes Golf Club.
Beyond the golf course, which creates a player-friendly, resort-type atmosphere, Golf Odyssey was surprised to find that Belgrade Lakes had few resort amenities. There was no on-site lodging, and little nearby, in this remote part of Maine, and clubhouse dining consisted only of a snack bar.
"This is a perfect example of how Golf Odyssey’s independence can help golfers make smarter decisions about where to spend their time and money," said David Baum, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Golf Odyssey newsletter, now in its 16th year. "If you just go by rankings and what has been written in the public relations-fueled mainstream media, you’re often missing out on the real story."
In addition to its review of Belgrade Lakes Golf Club, Golf Odyssey’s November 2007 issue informs readers about two "must play" golf courses (plus another worth consideration) in the Ayrshire region of Scotland; evaluates the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort in Florida; and includes "buzz"-worthy golf vacation news in its section called, What the Golf World is Talking About.
For a copy of Golf Odyssey’s November 2007 issue, or to arrange an interview with golf vacation expert David Baum, call 800-550-2286 or visit: www.golfodyssey.com.
Next month, Golf Odyssey will publish its annual, year-end awards for golf courses and resorts, and in the coming months, will shine its critical spotlight on golf vacations in: New Zealand, Hawaii, the Dominican Republic, and Wales.
About Golf Odyssey
Golf Odyssey, LLC publishes a monthly, subscription-only, printed newsletter and companion website. Now in its 16th year, Golf Odyssey: The Insider’s Guide to Sophisticated Golf Travel, is dedicated to the publication of honest and unbiased evaluations of great golf destinations in the United States and abroad. Golf Odyssey travels anonymously, pays its own expenses, and does not accept advertising from golf courses, resorts or restaurants in order to serve its subscribers with objective information and discriminating advice. Subscribers to Golf Odyssey include Fortune 500 CEOs, members of 95 of the top-100 golf clubs in America, professional athletes and celebrities, and world-famous golf course architects. To subscribe to Golf Odyssey and/or give it as a gift, please visit www.golfodyssey.com.
About David Baum
A former partner at Goldman Sachs in New York City, David Baum is the publisher & editor-in-chief of Golf Odyssey and Golf Vacation Insider. He is a leading expert on golf travel and has played more than 50 courses in five countries in the last twelve months alone. In addition to authoring two golf travel books, Planning the Ultimate Golf Vacation and Planning the Ultimate Bandon Dunes Golf Vacation, he serves as the golf travel columnist for Dealmaker Magazine and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The International Herald Tribune, USATODAY.com, Golf For Women, US Airways Magazine, Bloomberg News, Cigar Aficionado and other national publications.
Contact:
Denise Brite
Media Relations Coordinator
Golf Odyssey & Golf Vacation Insider
denise@golfodyssey.com
973-564-6223