Press Release

For Immediate Release January 29, 2013

Western Golf Alliance releases latest biennial rankings of western golf resorts

The "Western Stars" ranks the top 18 golf destinations in the western United States

LAS VEGAS. The Western Golf Alliance today released the 2013-14 "Western Stars" rankings, a biennial list of the top 18 golf destinations in the western United States. While a "countdown" of the rankings has been "tweeted" on the club's twitter feed @westerngolf for the last two weeks, the full list was distributed to the media during the Board of Directors' annual winter meeting occuring at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino.

"As an organization, one of the primary missions of the Western Golf Alliance is to promote that which is best about the great sport of golf," said Peter McGarry, WGA president. "Our biennial rankings of the best golf resort destinations is one of the ways we give back to golfers and the golf community."

The top two of the Western Stars rankings remained the same as the 2011 rankings, with Bandon Dunes Resort barely edging Pebble Beach Resort as the #1 west coast golf resort, based on the pure strength of their golf courses. However, it was difficult for other resorts to hold onto the lofty top-spots - of 2011's top 5, only the Sunriver Resort was also able to hold onto a top 5 designation.

Several resorts that focused on improving either their golf courses, their resort, or both, made major jumps up the rankings this year. Most notable were:

-- Four Seasons at Troon North jumping from #6 to #3, and Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay moving from #11 to #6, both based on

improved integration of the overall resort and golf experience.

-- Indian Wells moving from #13 to #9, and Silverado jumping from #17 to #11, both as a result of a new dedication to the quality of

their facilities and a dedication to restore their good names as destination resorts.

-- Talking Stick Resort and Black Butte Ranch, both coming from unranked in 2011 to #10 and #12, due to major improvements ...

a new casino and an eight-figure overhaul of both courses, respectively.

"Again this year, we focused on the balance of great golf and great resorts when assessing these golf destinations," explained Mark Taylor, Western Stars task force chairman. "There is always a dynamic between playing at the best courses, and staying in the best places. We are confident our rankings indicate those locations where you don't need to compromise on either side of that equation, however. These are destinations where you will get the complete package, while playing great golf courses."

"We create and deliver The Western Stars as part of our mission to serve golfers and the golf community throughout the western United States," concluded McGarry. "We are most proud of the fact that everyday golfers will use these rankings to inform and plan their golf trips, and that the information will lead to selecting a destination that will give them the biggest bang for their buck."

The Western Stars rankings are online at www.westerngolf.org/stars.

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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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