Golfweek’s ‘Best Casino Courses 2011’ Ranking

12-13-2011

 Michigan, Mississippi, Washington and Idaho Courses Named

 

(VIENNA, VA) – Nine golf courses represented by Buffalo Communications – the global lifestyle division of Billy Casper Golf, owner/operator of more than 130 golf properties nationwide – are among the top-50 in “Golfweek’s Best: Casino Courses 2011” ranking.

 

The nine courses, listed in Golfweek’s December 9-16 issue, represent eight golf facilities in four states. Six of the layouts are located in Mississippi – Fallen Oak (ranked No. 2), Grand Bear (No. 26), Dancing Rabbit’s Azaleas and Oaks courses (Nos. 28 and 48, respectively), The Preserve (No. 32) and Shell Landing (No. 44). Rounding out the remainder of Buffalo Communications’ clients on the list are Washington’s Salish Cliffs (No. 11), Idaho’s Circling Raven (No. 14) and Michigan’s Sweetgrass (No. 27).

 

“These well-known sites always deliver an exceptional golf and gaming experience,” says Rich Katz, Managing Director of Buffalo Communications. “Located in pristine regions, they give visitors a wealth of activity options both on the course and on the casino floor. We were thrilled to see them recognized for their commitment to excellence.”

 

Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate each had a hand in designing three of the courses – including Dancing Rabbit’s two courses in a collaborative effort. Fazio also designed Fallen Oak while Pate crafted The Preserve. Gene Bates, who is also a client of Buffalo Communications, created Salish Cliffs and Circling Raven while Jack Nicklaus crafted Grand Bear, Paul Albanese designed Sweetgrass and Davis Love III laid out Shell Landing.

 

Here are brief descriptions of each course, by state:

 

IDAHO

 

·         Circling Raven, Worley: Circling Raven, affiliated with the newly renovated Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel, meanders through 620 stunning acres adjoining the Coeur d'Alene National Forest. A regular on “best-of” lists, Circling Raven is also ranked 83^rd among Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses 2011-12.”

 

MICHIGAN

 

·         Sweetgrass, Harris: The highly acclaimed Sweetgrass Golf Club, an amenity of the Island Resort & Casino, traverses rolling meadows and across wetlands in the Upper Peninsula. It hosts the LPGA Futures Tour’s annual Island Resort Championship at Sweetgrass in late June.

 

MISSISSIPPI

 

·         Dancing Rabbit (Azaleas and Oaks), Philadelphia: Dancing Rabbit’s award-winning Azaleas course has been called “The Augusta you can play” by GOLF Magazine. It and its superb sister course, The Oaks, are framed by the picturesque Choctaw landscape of ancient pines and hardwoods, and are affiliated with the Pearl River Resort.

[Back to Press Releases Main]