Eagle Mountain Golf Club, Langdon Farms Golf Club, Lodestone Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club, Stone Canyon, Tetherow,Three Crowns Golf Club and We-Ko-Pa
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Nine golf courses at eight facilities affiliated with Scottsdale-based OB Sports Golf Management were honored by Golf Magazine in its 2010 rankings of the “Best Courses Near You.” This annual ranking lists the best courses you can play within each state. Eagle Mountain Golf Club, Langdon Farms Golf Club, Lodestone Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club, Stone Canyon, Tetherow and Three Crowns Golf Club were all listed in their respective state rankings. The two golf courses at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saguaro and Cholla) earned spots on both the “Best Courses Near You” rankings and the rankings of the “Top 100 You Can Play” which lists the top 100 courses nationwide.
“Golf Magazine’s rankings are highly anticipated by golfers, they look forward to seeing them each year,” said Phil Green, President of OB Sports Golf Management. “We graciously accept these honors on behalf of the clubs, and congratulate everyone involved for creating these special golf experiences. Most importantly, I would like to personally thank all of our team members at each of these respective clubs. They are obviously providing excellence in all aspects of the facility experience.”
Golf Magazine’s senior editor of travel/course rankings, Joe Passov, relies on a host of golf course panelists who fan out over the country and report back to him. Passov explains:
Each panelist considers factors such as design rhythm, creativity, setting and conditioning, but the value of each category is left to each panelist’s discretion. Our 100 voting members hail from 17 countries and include major championship winners, Ryder Cup players, architects, amateur champions, photographers, journalists, historians and a small but fiercely passionate crew of course connoisseurs (a dozen in all) who have played at least one entire edition of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World.
We-Ko-Pa Golf Club
The golf courses – Cholla and Saguaro – at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club were honored in both categories. Cholla placed 34th in the nationwide ranking and 2nd out of the 30 clubs listed in the Arizona-specific ranking. Saguaro placed 43rd in the nationwide ranking and 3rd in the Arizona ranking. 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. 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/wekopa
Eagle Mountain Golf Club
Of the hundreds of public-access golf clubs in Arizona considered for the list, only 30 were chosen, and Eagle Mountain Golf Club placed 20th. Perched high above Scottsdale in the city’s iconic McDowell Mountains, the 18-hole, par-71, Scott Miller-designed golf course weaves its way around mountain peaks and through desert arroyos loaded with Mesquite, Palo Verde and Saguaro making Eagle Mountain the quintessential Sonoran Desert track with a bit more character than most. The views from the golf course are stunning with the entire southeastern Valley of the Sun on display. When it opened in 1996, the Arizona Republic rated Eagle Mountain as the “Best New Public Golf Course” in the Valley; and since then, it has earned other awards including “Top 50 Public” in Golf World Reader’s Choice Rankings (2009) and 4.5 Stars (of 5), in Golf Digest’s “Places to Play” in 2009. To learn more about Eagle Mountain Golf Club visit www.eaglemtn.com, call 480-816-1234, follow Eagle Mountain on Twitter at www.twitter.com/eaglemtngolf or become a fan of Eagle Mountain on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eaglemountaingolf.
Langdon Farms Golf Club
Langdon Farms Golf Club placed 14th of the 15 public-access golf clubs in the state of Oregon chosen for the list. Langdon Farms is home to 18 holes of stunning golf designed by John Fought and Robert Cupp. Langdon Farms Golf Club opened to rave reviews in 1995 and immediately became a favorite in the Portland area. Over the years, the local, regional and national golf writers have consistently recognized it as a truly unique golf experience. The “Big Red Barn” clubhouse, winner of Golf Inc’s “Best New Clubhouse” award, was modeled after the original barn on Mr. Langdon’s farm. The original barn, built in 1916, actually comes into play down the left side of the 8th hole. The Big Red Barn clubhouse, creative signage, theme development, and links-style golf course design and maintenance elements have all contributed to the exceptional reputation of Langdon Farms. The golf facility is open, as displayed at the entrance, to the “PUBLIC ONLY” and specializes in hosting tournaments, outings and special events. For more information on Langdon Farms Golf Club, to reserve a tee time, or to book wedding, tournament, or special event call 503-678-GOLF (4653). For more information on Langdon Farms Golf Club visit www.langdonfarms.com, become a Fan of Langdon Farms on Facebook at www.facebook.com/langdonfarms or follow Langdon Farms on Twitter at www.twitter.com/langdonfarms.
Lodestone Golf Club
Only 10 golf clubs in Maryland were considered for the list, and the new Lodestone Golf Club debuted in the third position amongst the Best Courses Near You. Lodestone Golf Club boasts a stunning Hale Irwin signature-design (in collaboration with golf architect Todd Schoeder) that unfolds through the mountainous region above Deep Creek Lake and the renowned Wisp Resort. The par-72 layout plays 7,507 yards from the Irwin Tees and features Bentgrass greens, tees and fairways. In addition, the course is truly a natural mountain-golf experience highlighted by bold, tree-lined fairways, eye-catching bunker complexes and dramatic rock outcroppings. Not only is Lodestone set at the highest elevation of any course in Maryland (at 2,973 feet above sea level), but this premier club features numerous jaw-dropping elevation changes and 40-mile views of the Deep Creek Lake region. For more information on Lodestone Golf Club, call 301-387-GOLF (4653), email info@lodestonegolf.com, visit www.lodestonegolf.com, become a fan of Lodestone on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lodestonegolf or follow Lodestone on Twitter: www.twitter.com/lodestonegolf.
Longbow Golf Club
Longbow Golf Club placed 21st of the 30 golf clubs chosen for the Arizona listing. The 7,003-yard Ken Kavanaugh-designed golf course offers a desert-style layout firmly tied to the traditions of the game: no homes or roads intrude on the interior of the playing field, and short distances from green to the next tee make walking a pleasure. In 2003 Kavanaugh was called on to improve the golf experience. Armed with expanded acreage, his efforts resulted in an entertaining array of risk/reward holes that appeal to the golfer’s competitive spirit. In fact, Longbow was also honored by Golfweek magazine in its 2009 listing of the “Top 100 Resort Courses in The Country.” The renovation also yielded a sprawling new practice facility and contemporary-style clubhouse with a unique patio. Longbow also emerged as a tried venue for a variety of competitive events including numerous Gateway Tour events, the US Amateur qualifying, Golfweek Junior Series events and the AJGA Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic presented by Longbow. The surrounding 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. 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.
Stone Canyon
Of the numerous golf clubs in Missouri considered for the list, only 5 were chosen, and Stone Canyon Golf Club placed 4th. Stone Canyon Golf Club is the first Greg Norman Signature Design in the greater Kansas City area. The layout provides members and daily-fee club guests with a truly memorable golf challenge dotted with Norman’s design traits including closely mown green surrounds, creative bunkering and landscape accents that pay homage to some of the great courses in the world. The site itself is quite dramatic with interesting rock outcroppings, rolling topography and dramatic views towards downtown Kansas City to the west. The Stone Canyon Community offers 230 homes for luxury single-family living. Masterfully planned around the remarkable Greg Norman Signature private golf course, these rolling 362 acres of quintessential Missouri landscape provide an ideal setting for a restorative lifestyle. Stone Canyon homeowners also enjoy special membership privileges at Stone Canyon Golf Club which will offer a variety of amenities. Located within the Gold Star award-winning Blue Springs School District and only minutes away from local entertainment, shopping and dining, Stone Canyon is uniquely positioned to provide easy access to the places you need to go while providing a home that invites you to step away from it all. For more information on Stone Canyon Golf Club, call 816-228-3333 or visit www.stonecanyongolfclub.com. Become a fan of Stone Canyon on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stonecanyongolfclub or follow Stone Canyon on Twitter at www.twitter.com/stonecanyongc.
Tetherow
Of the hundreds of eligible golf courses in Oregon, only 15 made the ranking. Tetherow earned the 7th spot, just behind notable names such as Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails. Tetherow Golf Club, designed by award-winning architect David McLay Kidd who designed Bandon Dunes, boasts a visually striking par-72 layout. The routing takes full advantage of the panoramic views of the Cascade peaks and the rugged high desert terrain. In its short history, Tetherow has been honored by nearly every major golf publication. Upon opening, Tetherow was ranked #1 as the Best New Course You Can Play in The Country by Golf Magazine and has since then received numerous other “Best New” Rankings from Golf Digest, Links Magazine, Golfweek, T&L Golf and the Robb Report. Tetherow was also honored for environmental stewardship and became the first course in Oregon to become a Certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary, by the Audubon International. The club boasts an 18,000 square foot clubhouse that features a well appointed golf shop, restaurant, and patios with views of the golf course and surrounding Deschutes National Forest. Tetherow is just minutes from the vibrant restaurants, cafes and culture of downtown Bend, and is situated in close vicinity to Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort, miles of hiking and biking trails, world class fly fishing, white water rafting on the “the Deschutes,” and more. For more information on Tetherow, visit their website www.tetherow.com or call 541-388-CLUB (2582). 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 4th. Located in Casper, 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, known as the Platte River Commons, will also comprise a business park, jogging trail and parks within its 350-acre boundary. Golf guests of Three Crowns are challenged by eight water features that come into play on fourteen holes and over eighty 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. In fact, 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 dons 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
About OB Sports
OB Sports is a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success that currently manages 36 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information on OB Sports, visit www.obsports.com, call 480-948-1300. Become a Fan of OB Sports on Facebook at www.facebook.com/obsports or follow OB Sports on Twitter: www.twitter.com/obsportsgolf.
Contact:
CA Roberts
(480) 948-1300
caroberts@obsports.com
Kris Strauss
(480) 518-5003
kstrauss@obsports.com
