FRANKFORT, Ky. – Last month, the 2008 Ryder Cup Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville drew national and international attention to the Bluegrass State’s love affair with professional golf. Touring the great state of Kentucky, you will find many outstanding public and state park-run courses that are ready and waiting to provide challenges to players of all skill levels.

The Kentucky State Parks have added a new golf package now available at 10 parks across the state. The “Chip Shot” package includes overnight lodging and 18 holes of golf with a cart for $59 a person from Nov. 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009. From April 1 through Oct. 31, 2009, the cost will be $79 per person, based on double occupancy.

The state parks golf staff has compiled a list of excellent public and state park courses that combine beautiful settings with challenging play. The list includes several courses in each of the four main regions of Kentucky – the Appalachians, Kentucky Derby, Western Waterlands and Southern Lakes areas.

Keeping in mind that there are scores of good courses around the commonwealth, here is a list of several of the state park PGA professionals’ favorites.

Appalachian region:
Wasioto Winds, Pine Mountain State Park, Pineville.
Hidden Cove Golf Course, Grayson Lake State park, Olive Hill.
Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Yatesville Lake State Park, Louisa.
Old Silo Golf Club, Mt. Sterling.
StoneCrest Golf Course, Prestonsburg.

Kentucky Derby region:
My Old Kentucky Home State Park, Bardstown.
Lincoln Homestead State Park, Springfield.
Heritage Hill Golf Club, Shepherdsville.
Lassing Pointe Golf Course, Union.

Western Waterlands region:
Mineral Mound State Park, Eddyville.
Lake Barkley State Park, Cadiz.
Links at Novadell Golf Course, Hopkinsville.
Drake Creek Country Club, Ledbetter.

Southern Lakes region:
General Burnside Island State Park, Somerset.
Crosswinds Golf Course, Bowling Green.
Kenny Perry’s Country Creek Golf Course, Franklin.

All the courses are 18 holes, and all are open year-round. The settings range from a reclaimed strip mine with dramatic mountain vistas (StoneCrest Golf Course) to an island surrounded by pristine Lake Cumberland (General Burnside Island State Park).

While golfers are hitting the links, non-golfing spouses have many options for entertaining themselves in close proximity to each of these courses. These itineraries include shopping, vineyard tours, bourbon distillery tours, spas and many well-known attractions. Visit us on the web at www.kentuckytourism.com or www.parks.ky.gov for information on area attractions.

For more information, call Kevin S. Main, assistant director of golf for Kentucky State Parks, at 502-564-8611 ext. 256.