Press Release

For Immediate Release November 2, 2007

The Western Golf Alliance publishes regional golf course rankings

"Where You Can Rip It" rankings identify best courses for public access golf

BOTHELL, Washington. The Western Golf Alliance today officially published its first-ever ranking of golf courses. Designated as the "Where You Can Rip It" rankings, this effort identifies the best public access golf courses in the western United States.

The Where You Can Rip It rankings identify 100 great golf courses. The courses were evaluated within the nine regions of the WGA, with members subjectively assessing the quality, playability, and overall value of each course. Members then nominated courses and discussed the merits of each. Finally, within each region they selected and ranked the 11 best courses they have played.

"Amateur golfers really care about the quality of public courses, and they care about their golf dollar. Every golfer deserves the chance to play the very best golf courses available," explained Brian Gray, WGA president. "We want all golfers to benefit from the wide range of experience our members have had playing public courses across the western United States."

"As a regional golf organization comprised of amateur 'weekend warriors' spread across five states, the WGA is better qualified than any magazine or professional golf organization to provide this sort of unbiased evaluation and service to golfers," Gray concluded.

Mark Taylor, chairperson for the Where You Can Rip It Task Force, provided additional insight into the course selection and evaluation process. "Our members log hundreds of rounds of golf every year. We form opinions about what makes for a great day on the links, everything from course quality to services, and we know what we should pay for those amenities."

"Every golfer knows where they can go locally to play good golf, but these courses represent the best golf, with the best services, at the best value," said Taylor. "Any 'average' golfer who plays these courses is going to discover a superior golf experience, and they're going to have a great day. That's really what our rankings are all about."

The WGA intends to update the Where You Can Rip It rankings biennially. The 2008 rankings are available at this web site.

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About the Western Golf Alliance: The Western Golf Alliance is the premier golf organization in the United States. The WGA exists to further the greatness of this grand sport of golf through the improvement of golf play by its members, the promotion of golf rules, etiquette, and tradition, and the ability to gather together from time to time for golf events and tournaments. The regional organization spans five western states, and is organized into nine geographic regions. Further information is available at http://www.westerngolf.org/.

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