The recent publication of GOLF Magazine’s 2012 list of the Top 100 You Can Play” has further bolstered Scottsdale, Arizona’s position as “The World’s Finest Golf Destination.” Six Scottsdale golf courses were named to the publication’s list recognizing the 100 best public-access golf courses in the United States.  Those six golf courses are: Troon North Golf Club (Pinnacle Course) – No. 20 •  WeKoPa Golf Club (Cholla Course) – No. 37 •  WeKoPa Golf Club (Saguaro Course) – No. 40 •  Troon North Golf Club (Monument Course) – No. 52 •  The Boulders Golf Club (South Course) – No. 93 • Grayhawk Golf Club (Talon Course) – No. 99.

GOLF Magazine’s “Top 100 You Can Play” list is published every two years. Courses are selected by a hand-selected, independent panel of industry experts and accomplished players. Courses are evaluated based upon a variety of criteria including architectural design, conditioning, guest service, course strategy, shot values and beauty.

“It is a great honor for our city to be so well represented on GOLF Magazine’s list of the best public golf courses in the U.S.,” said Rachel Sacco, President & CEO of Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “No other single destination had more golf courses on the list. That, combined with how well our courses fared in the best in state rankings just adds strength to our position as the World’s Finest Golf Destination.”

Also, announced at the same time was GOLF Magazine’s list of the “Best Public Golf Courses in Every State.” Thirty Arizona golf courses were included in the ranking and 14 of those were located in Scottsdale. In addition to those above, other Scottsdale courses considered to be among the best in Arizona by GOLF Magazine included: TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) • Grayhawk Golf Club (Raptor Course) •  Vista Verde Golf Club •  The Boulders Golf Club (North Course) • SunRidge Canyon Golf Club •  TPC Scottsdale (Champions Course) •  Eagle Mountain Golf Club •  Talking Stick Golf Club (North Course)

In addition, earlier this year, five Scottsdale resorts (The Boulders, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, The Phoenician and The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa) were named to GOLF Magazine’s list of the nation’s “Premier Golf Resorts.”

Scottsdale’s claim to the title “World’s Finest Golf Destination” is not only based upon the overwhelming number and quality of golf courses available (51 within the City limits and an additional 156 in the neighboring Valley of the Sun), but also takes into account everything else the destination offers. This includes Scottsdale’s outstanding climate (averaging more than 330 days of sunshine and less than 10 inches of rain each year), incredible array of resorts and hotels, and access to world-class attractions, ranging from celebrated shopping, dining and nightlife to premier cultural activities, sporting events and more. Combine all of this with Scottsdale’s beautiful desert environment and relative ease-of-access from nearly anywhere in the world, and it becomes clear that no other golf destination in the world offers more.

For more information about golf travel to Scottsdale, visit www.ilovescottsdalegolf.com or the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.scottsdalecvb.com.