NEWARK, Ohio – The Longaberger Company has engaged Billy Casper Golf (BCG) to manage The Longaberger Golf Club and its award-winning, 18-hole championship golf course.
Under the multi-year agreement that begins November 1, Longaberger will continue to own the golf club in Licking County, Ohio, near Nashport. BCG will direct all aspects of golf course and property maintenance, staffing and training, clubhouse operations (food and beverage, merchandising, etc.), golf instruction, marketing and public relations, special events and financial management. The 18 full-time employees of the golf club will have the opportunity to become BCG employees.
“We’re putting the day-to-day operations of our world-class golf course in the capable hands of Billy Casper Golf – an innovative company with the expertise to expand its growth potential,” said Tami Longaberger, chief executive officer and president of Longaberger. “Our golf club employees have worked hard to build a premier golf destination, and they deserve the opportunity to work in consort with Billy Casper Golf to further enhance the course and its standing.”
The relationship with BCG is part of Longaberger’s broader initiative to focus on its core strength of handcrafting functional and unique baskets for the home and all lifestyles. Last month, Longaberger announced significant investments in basketmaking operations to reduce energy consumption and make the company more environmentally friendly.
“Billy Casper Golf is honored to work with Longaberger, a company with leading brand recognition that shares our keen attention to quality products and outstanding customer service,” said Peter Hill, chairman and chief executive officer of BCG. “We look forward to building on the robust golf and social offerings at this exceptional property.”
Longaberger Golf Club, which opened in 1999 and was designed by renowned golf course architect Arthur Hills, ranks No. 57 in the U.S. (out of roughly 13,500 public access courses) in GOLF Magazine’s 2008 “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” list. Golfweek Magazine rated Longaberger Golf Club No. 1 in Ohioin its recent 2008 state-by-state rankings.
Among the most dramatic holes on Longaberger’s 7,243-yard parkland-style layout is the par-5, No. 4 that plays 565 yards from the back tees with a 150-foot elevation drop from tee to green. The course is defined by panoramic natural beauty, rolling hills and immaculate playing conditions. A 25-acre natural grass driving range and practice facility, with target greens and a chipping, pitching and bunker area, ensures golfers of any skill level can hone their games in a secluded, finely-appointed setting.
Longaberger’s stately 60,000-square-foot clubhouse features elegant banquet facilities, a dining room, grill room and pro shop. The club is a favorite among wedding and social event planners, as well as golf outing and tournament coordinators throughout Ohio.
For more information about Longaberger Golf Club, or to reserve a tee time, visit www.longabergergolfclub.com or call 740.763.1100.
About The Longaberger Company
The Longaberger Company is America’s premier maker of handcrafted baskets and offers a variety of other home and lifestyle products, including pottery, wrought iron and fabric accessories. There are approximately 45,000 independent Home Consultants in all 50 states who sell Longaberger products directly to customers. For more information about Longaberger, visit www.longaberger.com.
About Billy Casper Golf
Headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, Billy Casper Golf was co-founded by Robert Morris and Peter Hill in 1989 along with professional golf legend Billy Casper, the Masters and two-time U.S. Open winner who ranks seventh all-time with 51 PGA Tour wins. The company manages 98 golf courses in 23 states, theDistrict of Columbia and Costa Rica. Combined with Buffalo Communications, the golf-lifestyle PR division of BCG, 25 of their courses were honored in the recent Golfweek’s “America’s Best” state-by-state rankings. For more information about Billy Casper Golf, visit www.billycaspergolf.com or call 703.761.1444.
Contact:
Tom Matthews
740.322.5157
tom.matthews@longaberger.com
Nick Lashinsky
Billy Casper Golf/Buffalo Communications
703.891.3324
nlashinsky@billycaspergolf.com
