Several golf courses operated by the Kentucky Department of Parks have received recognition from Golf Digest and Golfweek magazines.

The course at Mineral Mound State Park located near Eddyville in western Kentucky was ranked #5 in the state in the “Best Courses You Can Play” public-access category by Golfweek Magazine. Eagle Ridge Golf Course at Yatesville Lake State Park, located in eastern Kentucky, and Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park, located in south central Kentucky were ranked #6 and #9 as “Best In State” by Golf Digest Magazine.

In addition, Wasioto Winds Golf Course at Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, My Old Kentucky Home State Park at Bardstown and Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park at Burkesville were rated four stars by Golf Digest for “Best Places to Play” in 2008-09.  These courses were evaluated by approximately 20,000 Golf Digest readers on a five point scale.

 “These awards once again validate the quality and conditioning that patrons have come to expect from the Kentucky State Parks Golf Trail Courses,” said Dan Strohmeier, PGA Director of Golf for the Department of Parks. 

The newest addition to the Kentucky State Parks Golf Trail courses is General Burnside Island State Park near Somerset — a newly renovated course designed by Brian Ault.  The course re-opened in May, 2008, and features zoysia fairways and tees with bent grass greens.  The course measures 6,394 yards from the back tees and is on an island surrounded by Lake Cumberland.  Ault also designed the courses at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park and Hidden Cove at Grayson Lake State Park, both recognized nationally by Golf Digest.

Kentucky State Parks are also offering a new golf package this year – the Chip Shot.  The Chip Shot package includes 18-holes of golf and lodging with rates at $79 per person per night April through October.  The parks continue to offer the popular all inclusive Tee’s & Zzz’s golf packages at resort parks which include golf, lodging, breakfast and dinner and gift card. Rates are $109 per person per night from April through October.

The best golf in Kentucky is now available at all 19 courses operated by the Kentucky Department of Parks. For 2009, the Kentucky Golf Trail is again offering a “trail card” that provides unlimited paid green fees for the cardholder.  The trail card fees have been restructured and now include the daily pass holder play fees.  They are sold at all state park golf courses and are valid through Dec. 31, 2009.  Cards start at $475 for senior players (62 and older).  For more information on the trail card, visit www.parks.ky.gov/golftrail.

Kentucky State Park resorts also feature lodges, cottages, campgrounds, restaurants and other activities such as hiking, swimming, boating, and wildlife programs. For more information about state park golf trail cards, Tee’s and Zzz’s packages, gift cards and course photos, visit www.parks.ky.gov

The Kentucky State Park System is composed of 52 state parks plus an interstate park shared with Virginia. The Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges — more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at http://www.parks.ky.gov