Golf Digest recognizes the historic Donald Ross design
French Lick, IN (December 21, 2007) – The Donald Ross course at historic French Lick Resort Casino in French Lick Indiana has been selected among the "Best New Public Course Remodels of 2007 by Golf Digest. The publication’s annual review of America’s Best New Courses appears in the January 2008 issue.
Golf Digest’s annual survey of America’s Best New Courses is conducted by a panel of 800 golfers who considered nominees that had opened between May 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007. Panelists rate courses based on shot values, design variety, resistance to scoring, memorability, and aesthetics.
The Ross course finished runner-up to the Old White Course at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia. Originally constructed in 1917 by world-renowned architect Donald Ross, the legendary Ross course at French Lick Resort Casino has been home to many regional and national tournaments including the 1924 PGA Championship won by Walter Hagen.
"This is a great honor for a wonderful golf course, and a very special project, restoring this legendary course back to its original Ross design", said Dave Harner-Director of Golf Operations for French Lick Resort. "This course can now be enjoyed in its original form for years to come. We couldn’t be more honored or proud."
French Lick Resort Casino invested $4.6 million dollars into the project working closely with the design firm of Schmidt-Curley and the Donald Ross Society to preserve the historical integrity of the course. The project included utilizing old photos of the course to return 35 original Bunkers all featuring the Ross trademark flat bottoms and deep, gnarly faces as well as adding new sand and tile to existing bunkers. In addition, green complexes where enlarged to their original shapes, a new state of the art irrigation system installed, as well as new teeing areas lengthening the course to over 7,000 yards.
French Lick is fast becoming one of the premier golf destinations in America
The Donald Ross course restoration is part of the golf renaissance occurring at French Lick Resort Casino. The 18-hole Donald Ross Course at French Lick (formerly the Hill Course) officially reopened in September 2006.
Following the Ross restoration, Lee Schmidt also oversaw the Bendelow course renovation. The $1 million project included taking the original 18-hole layout, which runs adjacent to the French Lick Springs Hotel, and reducing it to nine authentic, quality holes. This decision made room for resort expansion, a state of the art practice facility, and a 60,000-square-foot Sports Center, which offers a 10-station indoor driving range and indoor putting green.
Golfers will also look forward to the opening of the Pete Dye Course at French Lick in 2009. Located on a hillside behind the historic French Lick Springs Hotel – one of the highest points in Indiana – Dye’s course will feature views that stretch for over 30 miles. Golfers are sure to feel the famed architect’s signature design features as they tee off from vista to vista on this 18-hole masterpiece and walk the course if they choose.
When completed the French Lick Resort Casino will offer 45-holes of championship golf with three unique designs that will be a perfect compliment to each other when booking a golf package. For more information, please visit www.frenchlick.com or call 1-888-MY-HIDEAWAY (1-888-694-4332).
Contact:
French Lick Resort Casino
Dyan Welsh, (812) 936-5926, dwelsh@frenchlick.com
Resort & Golf Marketing
Kevin Frisch, (989) 614-0241, kevin@resortandgolf.com
Dave Richards, (248) 642-6420, dave@resortandgolf.com
