GOLFWEEK NAMES “AMERICA’S BEST COURSES”

Scottsdale, Ariz. -Troon Golf,® the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing is pleased to announce that 17 of its managed courses have been named to Golfweek’s list of “America’s Best Courses” comprised of resort, residential, and daily-fee facilities. In addition to those included in the state-by-state, residential and resort rankings, Forest Dunes Golf Club in Michigan debuted on the prestigious list of “America’s Top 100 Modern Courses” (post 1960) while Quintero Golf & Country Club in Arizona made the list yet again. Lake of Isles’ North course in Connecticut also received honors for the first time, debuting as one of “America’s Top 100 Resort Courses” as well as Escena Golf Club in California, which was acknowledged on the state-by-state ranking list.

Troon Golf-managed courses that received recognition as “America’s Best Courses” include:

State-by-State Rankings

Arizona

No. 2 Troon North Golf Club – Monument course, Scottsdale

No. 5 Talking Stick Golf Club – North course, Scottsdale

No. 7 Estrella Mountain Ranch Golf Club, Goodyear

No. 15 Troon North Golf Club – Pinnacle course, Scottsdale

No. 18 Talking Stick Golf Club – South course, Scottsdale

California

No. 16 Escena Golf Club, Palm Springs

Connecticut

No. 2 Lake of Isles – North course, North Stonington

Michigan

No. 2 Forest Dunes Golf Club, Roscommon

Minnesota

No. 7 Giants Ridge Golf & Ski Resort – Quarry course, Biwabik

Missouri

No. 1 Branson Creek Golf Club, Branson

Montana

No. 1 Old Works, Anaconda

New Jersey

No. 5 Sand Barrens Golf Club, Swainton

Texas

No. 14 The Westin La Cantera Resort, San Antonio

Top 100 Resort Courses

No. 66 Lake of Isles – North course – North Stonington, Conn.

No. 80 The Westin La Cantera Resort – San Antonio, Texas

Top 100 Residential Courses

No. 21 Quintero Golf & Country Club – Peoria, Ariz.

No. 34 Forest Dunes Golf Club – Roscommon, Mich.

No. 38 Black Creek Club – Chattanooga, Tenn.

No. 43 Troon North Golf Club – Monument, Scottsdale, Ariz.

No. 71 Haig Point – Daufuskie Island, S.C.

No. 79 Troon North Golf Club- Pinnacle, Scottsdale, Ariz.

No. 80 TPC Snoqualmie Ridge – Snoqualmie, Wash.

No. 83 Broken Top Club – Bend, Ore.

“We congratulate these 17 outstanding courses for being named to Golfweek’s ‘America’s Best Courses’ list,” stated Hud Hinton, president and COO, Troon Golf. “These facilities continually strive to provide unparalleled golf experiences for their members and guests and we are proud to see them recognized by this leading industry publication.”

Among the criteria used by Golfweek’s panel of course raters include:

Ease and intimacy of routing – The extent to which the sequence of holes follows natural contours and unfolds in an unforced manner.

Variety and memorability of par 3s, 4s and 5s – Different clubs hit; extent to which the angles of play create interesting and varied playing options; and extent to which holes offer variety of options from the tee and on the second shot.

Basic quality of conditioning – Variety of playing textures; extent of turf coverage; consistency and quality of bunker sand.

“Walk in the park” test – Degree to which the course ultimately is worth spending a half-day on.

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Troon Golf is the world’s largest golf management company, overseeing operations at more than 185 courses located in 30 states and 22 countries. Additionally, 34 Troon Golf facilities enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications. Troon Golf properties include Ocotillo Golf Resort, Chandler, Ariz.; The Westin Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire, Scotland; Classic Club, Palm Desert, Calif.; Badlands Golf Club, Las Vegas, Nev.; Brookwater Golf Club, Queensland, Australia.; Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, Algarve, Portugal; Palmilla Golf Club, Los Cabos, Mexico; and The Grove, London, England.