Looking for a little quality time on a Kentucky golf course? Maybe you have a score to settle with a friend or you’d like a little relaxation with a family member. Whichever the case, here’s news of interest.
Tee it up in July when Kentucky State Parks make it well worth your time by participating in the Professional Golf Association’s Play Golf America promotion.
From July 6-31, at any of the 18 park courses, players18-years of age or younger may play a free round and smack a free bucket of balls on the driving range when accompanied by a paying adult (carts not included).
“Golf is absolutely family friendly,” said Commissioner Gerry van der Meer, of the Kentucky Department of Parks. “Novice or experienced duffer, this special is a nice deal and a neat way to introduce kids to golf, build the players of tomorrow and create memories of a lifetime,” he said. “Kentucky State Parks have a time-honored relationship with golf and top-notch courses. The entire family can plan a weekend getaway, combination golf/camping trip and loads of other outdoor adventures.”
Six of the park system’s golf courses have been recognized over the past several years as “bests” by Golf Digest and Golfweek Magazine. Honors include most affordable, best place to play and best course distinction. Mineral Mound State Park near Eddyville; Hidden Cove at Grayson Lake State Park in Olive Hill; Yatesville Lake in Louisa; Dale Hollow Lake near Burkesville; Wasioto Winds at Pine Mountain State Resort Park near Pineville; and My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown all got a thumbs up from the publications.
“The recognition shows what quality play is available anywhere in the state,” van der Meer added. “Teeing off at any of them is a great golf value, convenient and in July, an even better deal.”
Additional park golf packages make play a sweet proposition other times of the year. The “Chip Shot” includes lodge accommodations and 18 holes of golf with cart for only $79. The all-inclusive Tee’s and Zzz’s package includes overnight lodging, breakfast and dinner at the lodge restaurant, 18 holes of golf with a cart, preferred tee times and a complimentary gift card redeemable at any park, pro shop or gift shop. The price starts at $109 per person, per night, based on double occupancy and are available from April 1 to Oct. 31. Reservations are subject to availability and prices do not include appropriate taxes.
For more information about any of the 51 Kentucky State Parks and historic sites, golf options including the State Parks Golf Trail, and other activities and events, go to the website at www.parks.ky.gov or call toll free 1-800-255-PARK.
****To read some of Michael’s Kentucky golfing experiences, visit his golf blog.
Michael took some fantastic pictures recently when he and a few friends teed it up on the golf course at Barren River Lake State Resort Park. According to him, the golf course offers a challenging test of golf in a relaxing setting.
When he writes a review on his golf blog, I’ll link to it from within this post.
Enjoy!
Some of the LPGA’s stars of tomorrow can be found in eastern Kentucky this weekend at the Crooked Creek Golf Course in London. More than 140 golfers from all over the world are in town for the 2009 Falls Auto Group classic.
Seo-Jae Lee, the gorgeous young lady you see to the left, is among the talented group and she apparently feels great about the course – “It’s really hilly and the grass is really thick. They are very similar and I have a lot of confidence.” Talent + Confidence usually means trouble for the rest of the field.
The Duramed Futures Tour is actually holding its second annual event in Laurel County. Thousands of spectators are expected to watch the golfers compete this weekend. Over 6,000 came through the gates last year – in addition to the golfers’ families.
The 2009 Falls Auto Group Classic runs through Sunday.
Visit Michael’s Golf Blog to read his review of the beautiful Mineral Mound Golf Course in Eddyville, Kentucky.
Kentucky’s own Kenny Perry recently told USA Today that the outpouring of support he’s getting (after losing The Masters) has touched him deeply. Today’s paper quotes the popular golfer as saying, “I’ve received hundreds of cards and letters from people who genuinely care about me. They all started out, ‘I’ve never written a letter like this, but I felt compelled to write to you.”
Kenny spent last week at home in Franklin, Kentucky and conducted the interview with USA Today Tuesday in a conference call.
Kenny held a two-shot lead in The Masters with two holes to play. He ended up in a three-way play-off that was won by Angel Cabrera.
“The outpouring of love and support from everybody was more emotional for me than anything.”
Kenny has received calls from Greg Norman and Scott Hoch, who have been in similar golf shoes, so to speak. He even got a letter from George W. Bush!
Perry, 48, has never won a major before…. yet. It’s just a matter of time.
Click HERE to learn more about Kenny Perry’s golf course in Franklin, Kentucky or call (270) 586-9373 for information.
It may not seem like it today (brrr!) but gorgeous weather is literally right around the corner, and as any Kentuckian can tell you, Kentucky wears nice weather as beautifully as any state ever could. The birds, the wildlife, the lakes, the rivers, the greenest grass you’ve ever seen, the trees, and the breathtaking flowers… What a glorious show we get to enjoy every year. Are you thanking God for living here yet? I know I am.
Below is a press release from the Kentucky Department of Tourism. They’re feeling the love, too!
‘Unbridled Spring’- Make Travel Plans
For Kentucky’s Colorful Awakening
FRANKFORT, Ky. About this time of year Kentuckians are itching to trade coats and gloves for short sleeves and sneakers. Spring is when some of the most beautiful scenery in the nation sprouts in the commonwealth as a preview of hot weather to come. It’s a great time of year to get away and see an “Unbridled Spring” unfold across Kentucky as different flowers bloom from region to region. To help plan your path to the posies and where you can kick your shoes off for the night, the Kentucky Department of Travel has the perfect e-guide.
An “Unbridled Spring” web promotion begins April 7 and runs through Memorial Day at www.KyTourism.com. It’s sure to lure you on your way for a long weekend or day trip to see what’s blooming. This year, the program is longer and includes more places to spot buds and flowers, tips for events, locations and trips, photos of Kentucky wildflowers, regional videos, and other tools to plan springtime travel.
“Unbridled Spring” (previously Wildflower Watch) links to places throughout Kentucky to see spring blooms like trails, botanical gardens, state parks and nature preserves. Besides a variety of wild flowers that grow throughout the state, “Unbridled Spring” appeals to travelers to visit public areas including the approach to Kentucky’s state capitol which is paved with tulips, Owensboro’s Azalea-Dogwood Trail and jonquils that glow along major roadways in Louisville. Information on golf, fishing, trails and children’s activities as well as other outdoor adventures, are available with the click of a mouse.
“Our spring promotion has developed a well-deserved reputation for guiding travelers to a beautiful time in Kentucky,” said Kentucky Department of Travel Commissioner Mike Cooper. “This year “Unbridled Spring” has even more information and pictures to entice native Kentuckians and visitors alike, to get out, travel the state and watch spring return to our very distinct landscapes.”
Information on specific park events at Kentucky State Parks is available at www.parks.ky.gov. For Kentucky tourism information, go to www.kentuckytourism.com where you’ll find “Unbridled Spring” and other resources for travel in Kentucky. Travelers are urged to grab their cameras and add to the web site by sharing their “Unbridled Spring” experiences with others by uploading digital photos and videos of their trips.
(Note: Visitors to wooded areas and trails should exercise caution when hiking due to damaged trees caused by this past winter’s ice storm.)
Make a point of seeing as much of our beautiful state this spring and summer as you can. Hit up the locally owned stores and restaurants – you know that’s where the really good stuff is, right?! Be safe and have a ball.
This was the best Ryder Cup ever. Not just because the USA finally remembered how to win (!), not just because it was on Kentucky soil, and not just because we had two Kentuckians (Kenny Perry and J.B. Holmes) and Boo Weekley on our side. There was just so much excitement and an abundance of American pride.
As a state and a country we all fell under Boo’s spell. He’s SO one of us, how in the world did the stork miss the drop. The bird must’ve had my sense of directions because Boo was born in the Florida panhandle instead. Maybe Stork, United thought, “They’ve got the Waltrips, let’s give this character to Florida.”
Oh, well, it doesn’t really matter. We’ve adopted him now.
What makes Kenny Perry’s performance all the more impressive is the fact that he was in a great deal of pain. He was, in his words, “..eating Advil like candy.” Fellow Kentuckian J.B. Holmes has also made a name for himself. You know, if Boo weren’t scaring up so much attention, I think our own J.B. would be in the center of the limelight. He’s a character, himself!
Below are some of my favorite write-ups about the whole shebang:
Kentucky Comes Up Big in Ryder Cup
Kentucky Boys Give US Boost
Kenny Perry Savors Home Cooking in His Kentucky Reign at Ryder’s Cup
Louisville, Kenny, and J.B., you made your fellow Kentuckians proud. And along with Paul Azinger, Boo Weekley, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Anthony Kim, and the rest of the team – you made the whole country proud!
Kenny Perry Contemplates his Next Shot
Louisville, Kentucky is just showing off this summer. She’s snapping her fingers and strutting her considerable stuff. I overheard her say something like, “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.”
The state fair just wrapped up, so the city can turn its attention entirely to their next big event: The drama of the Ryder Cup! All eyes will be Valhalla Golf Club next month (September 16 – September 21) when the Ryder Cup gets under way.
I’ll just be honest with you, I’ve never golfed beyond miniature golf (but I am something of a guru at that). BUT, I absolutely love to watch golf. My all-time favorite golfers are Kenny Perry, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Tom Lehman, Michelle McGann, Tiger Woods, Paul Azinger (you can just call him Captain Azinger now), Ernie Els, and the Pink Panther – a.k.a. Paula Creamer. There aren’t many things more enjoyable than being able to watch one of your favorites on Sunday afternoon – right in the thick of things!
I hope the USA team will do themselves proud this year. On paper, we look pretty amazing. I’m counting on Kenny Perry to have one of the best tournaments of anyone. Are you kidding me?! A Kentucky boy on his home turf? I’ll put my money on a Kentucky boy any day of the week – but, when he has it in his mind that he’s being challenged on his home soil? Bet the farm!
Captain Azinger (love the way that sounds) will announce Team U.S.A. on September 2. The eight automatic qualifiers are:
- Kenny Perry
- Stewart Cink
- Boo Weekley
- Phil Mickelson
- Justin Leonard
- Ben Curtis
- Anthony Kim
- Jim Furyk
Kentucky Drivers can purchase the new Ryder Cup plates (pictured above) for $44 each. $10 of this cost will go to benefit Kentucky First Tee, a charity of the World Golf Foundation. Solid.
RYDER CUP TICKET INFORMATION:
Ryder Cup Tickets – Season Ticket (Includes access to the grounds all six days)
Ryder Cup Tickets – Practice Round
Ryder Cup Tickets – First Round
Ryder Cup Tickets – Second Round
Ryder Cup Tickets – Final Round
Kenuckian Kenny Perry won the Memorial today and in doing so, joined none other than Tiger Woods as the only three-time winner of the tournament.
While the victory and the money earned are as sweet as Cracker Barrel’s Peanut Butter Pie, the best part is this: The victory is a giant step toward making the Ryder Cup in….where?….. his home state of Kentucky.
At 47, Kenny became the oldest winner of the Memorial. He’ll take it.
Congrats, Kenny!
***As you’ll notice, the “Champ” is in this week’s featured video (see the sidebar).
There are some really amazing golf courses in the Land Between the Lakes Region of Kentucky. The ones below will give your golf game all it can handle! Click each Golf Course to visit its website (when applicable) and/or call the number for more information.
Kenlake SRP in Aurora, Kentucky (If you go, be sure to eat at Willow Pond!) – 9 hole/par 30 (270-474-2211)
Benton Country Club in Benton, Kentucky - 18 hole/par 72 (270-527-9673)
Marvel Golf Club in Benton, Kentucky – 18 hole/par 71 (270-354-9050)
Lake Barkley State Resort Park in Cadiz, Kentucky – 18 hole/par 72 (800-295-1878)
Calvert Country Club in Calvert City, Kentucky - 18 hole/par 72 (270-395-5831)
Mineral Mound State Park in Eddyville, Kentucky – 18 hole/par 72 (866-904-7888)
Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park in Gilbertsville, Kentucky – 18 hole/par72 (800-295-1877)
Drake Creek Golf Club in Ledbetter, Kentucky – 18 hole/par ? (270-898-4653)
Mayfield Country Club in Mayfield, Kentucky - 18 hole/par 70 (270-247-1862)
South Highland Country Club in Mayfield, Kentucky – 18 hole/par 71 (270-247-2918)
Miller Memorial Golf Course in Murray, Kentucky – 18 hole/par 71 (888-313-9862)
Oaks Country Club in Murray, Kentucky – 18 hole/par72 (270-753-6454)
Edwin J. Paxton Park in Paducah, Kentucky – 18 hole/par 71 (270-444-9514)
Deer Lakes Golf Course in Salem, Kentucky – 18 hole/par 72 (270-988-4653)
The following Golf Clubs/Golf Courses have websites you can visit for additional information. (60 Second Rant: A Golf Club, Restaurant, Store, any business of any kind without a website and/or blog in the year 2008 is just nuts. They’re shooting themself in the foot with a loaded gun. It’s honestly equivalent to NOT being listed in the phone book. Granted, not everyone knows how to design or “put up” a website. There are people who do, though. In fact, there are people who will do every second of the work for you. You simply have to tell them what you want and write them a check. Within a week (on average), you can have a website or blog you can be proud of! When I Google a business and discover that they don’t have a website, my opinion of them drops just a little. A lot of times, I move on to the next one on my list. If you’re a Kentucky business of any kind, e-mail us and we’ll help get you on the web! If you have any questions at all, we’ll be more than happy to answer them for you.)
More information can be found on these and other courses HERE.
Click HERE for free, gorgeous Kentucky screensavers and wallpapers from Kentucky State parks.gov.
