NGCOA Course of the Year Finalists Announced – Atkinson Makes the "Cut"

The finalists for the NGCOA’s Course of the Year Award include four clubs from four very competitive regions: The Legend at Shanty Creek Resorts in the Midwest, Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in the West, Atkinson Resort & Country Club in the Northeast, and Currahee Club in the South. The award recognizes member-owned courses that excel in four categories: course quality, ownership and management, contributions to the community and contributions to the game. The Course of the Year winner, which will be announced on Feb. 25 at the NGCOA Annual Conference in San Antonio, will come from a group of modern-era courses that are distinguished in each area. The Legend at Shanty Creek Resorts in Bellaire, Michigan, operates four distinctly northern Michigan golf courses, including one designed by “The King” Arnold Palmer. The Legend Golf Course helped launch the northern Michigan region as a legitimate golf destination in the mid 1980s. Mr. Palmer predicted it would remain popular for golfers of all abilities, not just low-handicap players. His sentiment still rings true today, as The Legend remains the most played of the four courses of Shanty Creek Resorts. Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, Sacramento, California, boasts two championship golf courses, a world-class teaching facility with over 15 golf professionals, more than 10 different junior, senior, group and private programs, and a 100-stall, lighted driving range that includes over 100 stalls, five practice greens and two bunkers. The driving range at Haggin Oaks is so popular that it stays open 24 hours a day during summer hours. Atkinson Resort & Country Club, in Atkinson, New Hampshire, is home to one of New Hampshire’s finest 18-hole, Par-72 public golf courses as well as one of the best practice facilities in New England. The practice facility is designed to truly help golfers improve their games, with 15,000 square feet of grass tees, 12,000 square feet of putting greens, multiple bunkers and a 65-yard short-game practice hole. Currahee Club, in Toccoa, Georgia, is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains overlooking the shores of Lake Hartwell. Taking advantage of the natural contours of the land, acclaimed golf course architect Jim Fazio succeeded in crafting a 7,513-yard championship masterpiece that plays even better than it looks. The NGCOA will also recognize winners of the Award of Merit for long-term contributions to the game, the Jemsek Award for Golf Course Excellence, the Don Rossi Award for significant contributions to the NGCOA, the Champion Award for service to course owners at the regional level, and the Player Development Award for success in attracting new players to the game. The NGCOA’s Annual Conference is the golf industry’s largest gathering of owners and operators of daily fee, private, resort and municipal courses. The conference, which will be held Feb. 23-26, offers educational and networking opportunities and guest speakers. NGCOA members and non-members can register for the conference at www.ngcoa.org/conference. The conference occurs in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show, Feb. 25-26, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Tex. The show, which is presented by the NGCOA and GCSAA, showcases the golf industry’s latest products and services throughout an expansive exhibit area and offers a wide range of educational opportunities.]]>