Longaberger Earns Another Best in State Award

Thanks to readers and golf course raters Nashport's Longaberger Golf Club's reputation as Ohio's finest public-access layout is more secure than ever.

Entering its 10^th anniversary season, Longaberger has been named No. 1 in Golfweek Magazine's "America's Best Courses You Can Play 2009" in Ohio. The award is just the latest in a series of honors bestowed upon the course designed by Ohio native Arthur Hills.

"Being recognized as one of the finest golf courses in Ohio speaks volumes about the design and day-to-day commitment to superiority at Longaberger Golf Club," said Joseph Livingood, senior vice president of Billy Capser Golf, which manages the club. "Ohio has an incredible wealth of stellar courses, so we're very honored that Golfweek chose this course as the state's very best."

The Golfweek rankings were based on routing, feature shaping, natural setting, greens, variety, conditioning and maintenance, landscape management, overall impressionability and other criteria.

It's not only the experts who've been kind to Longaberger. Recently the course was ranked No. 4 in the country in GolfWorld magazine's inaugural "Reader's Choice Rankings" in the category "Top 50 Public Courses." Longaberger beat out highly-regarded venues such as Chambers Bay (future site of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and 2015 U.S. Open) and Bethpage State Park golf courses (home to multiple U.S. Open championships.)

Last year, a poll in Ohio Golf Magazine asked readers and area residents to "pick their favorite golf course in the Buckeye State," and in resounding fashion Longaberger Golf Club led the way.

Longaberger commanded 38 percent of the more than 1,200 votes, leaving 62 percent to be shared by the other 14 courses (an average of 4.5 percent per course.)

A current Golfer's Guide online poll at centralohio.golfersguide.com asked visitors to pick their favorite Ohio golf course, and guess who's in the lead? It's Longaberger, garnering more than 36 percent of the vote.

Longaberger also currently ranks No. 57 in the United States (out of roughly 13,500 public-access courses) in Golf Magazine's 2008 "Top 100 Courses You Can Play" list.

The recognition is a result of the unparalleled conditions and experience awaiting golfers at Longaberger. Day after day the course is in immaculate shape; the fairways are lush and green, the rough is supple and the Bent grass greens are silky smooth. The golf course is marked by 100-foot elevation changes and visually distinct holes, each with their own unique identities. Typical of a Hills design, Longaberger can challenge any skill level.

A testament to the golf club's commitment to the environment, Longaberger became the first public golf course in the state of Ohio to achieve certification through the Audubon International Signature Program and was designated as a Certified Signature Sanctuary on April 17, 2001.

In addition to its natural beauty, panoramic views, rolling hills and immaculate playing conditions, the club is home to a 25-acre natural grass driving range and practice facility, with target greens and a chipping, pitching and bunker area, ensuring that all golfers can hone their games in a secluded finely-appointed setting.

In an effort to continue its excellent tradition, Longaberger has recently introduced value-laden daily rates and "Stay and Play" packages for the 2009 season. To read about those, click here .

For even more information about Longaberger Golf Club, or to reserve a tee time, visit www.longabergergolfclub.com or call 740-763-1100.