NEWTON, Kan., Jan. 9, 2013 – Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kan., was recently named as one of four finalists for the 2013 National Golf Course of the Year award by the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) as part of the association’s annual awards program. The 2013 NGCOA awards will be presented during the association’s 2013 Annual Conference in San Diego, Feb. 3-8.
“It is a great honor to be recognized by the NGCOA as a finalist for the National Course of the Year award,” said Chris Tuohey, KemperSports general manager of Sand Creek Station Golf Course. “Sand Creek Station has become an integral part of the Newton community since opening six years ago and we are pleased to share this honor with our dedicated staff and loyal customers.”
Each year, the NGCOA accepts applications for the National Course of the Year award to recognize a golf course that exemplifies exceptional course quality and management excellence, while making important contributions to its community and the game. Sand Creek Station, ranked as one of the top 50 “Best Municipal Courses” in the U.S. by Golfweek in 2011-2012, was selected as a finalist for this award largely due to its lasting contributions to the Newton, Kan., community.
The facility, which is owned by the City of Newton and managed by Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports, has built a reputation of providing an exceptional golf experience and has been recognized by the National Golf Foundation for its top-level customer service. As a result, the KemperSports management team at Sand Creek Station has led customer service training classes for more than 500 local business owners, civic leaders and citizens from Newton, Kan., over the past two years at the request of the local Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the course holds numerous fundraising events and golf camps each year to benefit charitable organizations and individuals in need throughout in its community.
Sand Creek Station has played host to a number of national amateur tournaments since its opening in 2006 and was most recently selected by the United States Golf Association to host the 2014 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. The course at Sand Creek Station, a par-72 championship layout, was designed by Jeffrey Brauer and is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
In addition to the 2013 National Course of the Year award, the NGCOA will also recognize the winners of the following awards at its Annual Conference: Award of Merit, the Jemsek Award for Golf Course Excellence, the Don Rossi Award for significant and long-lasting contributions to the NGCOA, the NGCOA Champion Award for service to course owners at the state level, the Player Development Award, and the Paul Porter Award for commitment, service and leadership to a chapter or international affiliate.
For more information about Sand Creek Station Golf Course, please visit www.sandcreekgolfclub.com or call 316.284.6161.
About Sand Creek Station Golf Course
Sand Creek Station Golf Course is located in Newton, Kan. and its unique links-style design features plenty of mounding encompassing the bent grass fairways and undulated greens uncharacteristic of the courses in the area. The sanctity of the railroad has been preserved throughout the golf course to remind players of the history of the area. Sand Creek Station Golf Course was voted by GOLF Magazine as a “Top 10 New Courses You Can Play” in 2006. The course was also voted the No. 2 “Best Course You Can Play” in the state of Kansas by GolfWeek; visit www.sandcreekgolfclub.com or call 316.284.6161.
About KemperSports
Northbrook, Ill.-based KemperSports builds, owns and manages golf courses, resorts, athletic clubs and lodging venues across the U.S., Caribbean and Central America. The company’s award-winning portfolio includes nationally-ranked courses and tournament venues such as Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, named the No. 1 Golf Resort in North America by Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine; The Glen Club; Desert Willow Golf Resort; Harbor Shores, site of the 2012 and 2014 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid; and Chambers Bay, host of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and the 2015 U.S. Open. For more information about KemperSports, please visit http://www.kempersports.com. Join the KemperSports social media conversation at www.facebook.com/kempersports and www.twitter.com/kempersports.
About NGCOA
The National Golf Course Owners Association is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The Association represents the key decision makers with ultimate responsibility for golf courses throughout the world. Through advocacy, information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information, visit www.ngcoa.org or call 1-800-933-4262.
Contact:
Chris Tuohey Megan Godfrey
KemperSports General Manager KemperLesnik
p: 316.284.6161 p: 708.214.4287
ctuohey@kempersports.com megan.godfrey@kemperlesnik.com
