Want to know the ultimate golf destinations in North America? GOLF MAGAZINE has the answer. This year marks the 20th anniversary of GOLF's "Best Resorts Awards," an honor bestowed upon the 75 greatest destinations in North America which appears in the April issue on newsstands today. A complete listing is attached.


The 2008 list marks the first time that the magazine gave avid golfers the chance to become part of the process by allowing them to vote via the magazines digital arm, Golf.com. More than 8,000 golf enthusiasts offered their opinions. This year also marks the debut of GOLF's Platinum Medals, an elite award given to the upper echelon of golf properties that excel in course design and playability while providing luxurious accommodations. This year's Platinum winners include The American Club, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Four Seasons Resort Lana'i at Manele Bay, Pinehurst Resort, The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, The Greenbrier, The Broadmoor, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Pebble Beach Resorts and Sea Island Resort. Furthermore, the magazine created the Green Awards, an honor given to the ten best eco-friendly destinations that have placed a serious emphasis on resource conservation and protection.

Among the 75 resorts listed readers will find nine from the shores of Hawaii, 14 Jack Nicklaus designed courses, four that have played host to a Major Championship, as well as The Lodge at Torrey Pines, the site of the 2008 U.S. Open. Additionally, GOLF MAGAZINE lists the top picks for quality golf and accommodations in each region of the country in "Best in Your Area," and features "Keep Your Eye On," a look at resorts that are up and coming and could find their way onto the list in the near future.

"The Best Resorts Awards feature is a key initiative because it allows us to provide our readers with the answer to that age-old question: ‘Where should I go on my next golf trip?'" says David Clarke, Editor, GOLF MAGAZINE. "This year's awards are truly unique because we invited our readers to share their insight through a Golf.com poll. This is an exciting time at GOLF MAGAZINE."

The "Best Resorts Awards" is a biannual feature in the pages of GOLF MAGAZINE. The voting on Golf.com was based on four criteria: golf, lodging, food and drink and service. Forty percent of the resort recognition is based on golf, where voters considered factors such as challenge, playability, scenery, history, facilities and service. The rest of the score was equally weighed among lodging, food and drink and overall service at the resorts.

"The overwhelming insight from our loyal readers on Golf.com speaks volumes to the growing number of traveling golfers and the demand for these awards," says Joe Passov, Senior Travel Editor, GOLF MAGAZINE. "By creating Platinum Medals for the elite resorts in North America we can provide answers for that critical question of ‘Which is the best?'"