Eight courses at seven golf facilities managed by Scottsdale-based OB Sports Golf Management made the list of 2011 Golfweek’s Best You Can Play: Lodestone Golf Club, Langdon Farms Golf Club, Longbow Golf Club, The Oaks Golf Club, Sandia Golf Club,Tetherow, Three Crowns Golf Club and We-Ko-Pa Golf Club (Saguaro and Cholla). We-Ko-Pa’s Saguaro Course was also included in Golfweek’s “Modern” ranking which lists the top 100 courses designed after 1960.

The annual ranking lists the top public-access golf clubs in each state. Of the hundreds of eligible courses within each state, (depending on the state) only a few clubs make the list. Course-ranking panelists apply the following criteria when considering each golf course: 1) ease and intimacy of routing, the extent to which the sequence of holes follows natural contours and unfolds in an unforced manner; 2) variety and memorability of par 3s, 4s and 5s, different clubs hit, extent to which the angles of play create interesting and varied playing options, and extent to which holes offer variety of options from the tee and on the second shot; 3) basic quality of conditioning, variety of playing textures, extent of turf coverage, consistency and quality of bunker sand; 4) walk-in-the-park test, degree to which the course ultimately is worth spending a half-day on.

“Each year we look forward to discovering which of our clubs made the cut,” said Phil Green, Chief Operating Officer of OB Sports Golf Management. “Congratulations to all of the folks at the club level who are obviously providing excellent conditions on a consistent basis. And of course, congratulations to the designers and architects of these fine golf courses. We take great pride in making the most of their wonderful creations.”

Lodestone Golf Club – Of the hundreds of golf clubs in Maryland considered for the list, only 10 were chosen, and Lodestone Golf Club placed 2nd. The par-72 layout at Lodestone plays 7,507 yards from the ‘Irwin Tees’ and features bent grass greens, tees and fairways. In addition, the course is truly a natural mountain golf experience that is highlighted by bold, tree-lined fairways, eye-catching bunker complexes and dramatic rock outcroppings. Lodestone is accessible via preview play opportunities and via ‘discovery golf packages’ or access from preferred lodging partners in the Deep Creek Lake region. In addition, Lodestone offers a trial use privilege opportunity that allows interested parties to preview a membership at the club. For more information on Lodestone Golf Club, call 301.387-GOLF (4653), or visit www.lodestonegolf.com.

Langdon Farms Golf Club –  Of the hundreds of public-access golf clubs in Oregon considered for the list, only 10 were chosen, and Langdon Farms Golf Club placed 5th. Rated four out of five stars by Golf Digest’s Best Places To Play for 2009 and ranked as one of the Top Ten Best Courses You Can Play in Oregon by Golfweek magazine (State-By-State Ranking for 2009-2010), Langdon Farms is home to 18 holes of stunning golf designed by John Fought and Robert Cupp. Langdon Farms Golf Club opened to rave reviews in 1995 and immediately became a favorite in the Portland area. The golf facility is open, as displayed at the entrance, to the “PUBLIC ONLY” and specializes in hosting tournaments, outings and special events. For more information or reserve a tee time, book a wedding, tournament, or special event, call 503.678.GOLF (4653) or visit www.langdonfarms.com.

Longbow Golf Club – Of the hundreds of public-access golf clubs in Arizona considered for the list, only 25 were chosen, and Longbow Golf Club placed 21st. Longbow Golf Club and Business Park is a 330-acre, mixed-use commercial development that incorporates office, light industrial, retail and hotel uses surrounded by desert vegetation and a main street transportation design and features the award-winning Longbow Golf Club. Longbow Golf Club features a 7,003-yard Ken Kavanaugh-designed golf course that was also ranked as one of the “Top 100 Resort Courses in The Country” by Golfweek magazine for 2009. For more information, visit www.longbowgolf.com or call 480.807.5400.

The Oaks Golf Club – Of the hundreds of public-access golf clubs in Mississippi considered for the list, only 10 were chosen, and The Oaks Golf Club placed 8th. Originally opened in 1998, The Oaks Golf Club is nestled amongst majestic timberlands and native wetlands providing one of the most unforgettable golfing experiences on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Oaks has challenged some of the best players in the country as a former host of Nike Tour/Buy.com Tour events in 1999 and 2000 (now the PGA Tour’s Nationwide Series) and having hosted the first stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School in 2003. For tee times or more information, call 228.452.0909 or visit www.theoaksgolfclub.com.

Sandia Golf Club – Of the hundreds of public-access golf clubs in New Mexico considered for the list, only 10 were chosen, and Sandia Golf Club placed 5th. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sandia Resort & Casino features a world class golf experience that offers a visually stunning and strategic 18 hole golf course designed by Scott Miller, complete practice facility and a 16,000 square foot “Pueblo” style clubhouse featuring restaurant, golf shop and expansive patio. The golf club at Sandia is a key amenity to the Sandia Resort & Casino that is already a popular gaming and entertainment venue. Sandia offers a world class resort that features 228 luxurious, oversized guest rooms including over 30 suites. For more information, visit www.sandiagolf.com or call 505.798.3990.

Tetherow – Of the hundreds of eligible golf courses in Oregon, only 10 made the ranking. Tetherow earned the 5th spot, just behind notable names such as Bandon Dunes and Bandon Trails. Located minutes from downtown Bend, Oregon, Tetherow is in a residential golf community that meanders over 700 acres of stunning high-desert terrain and includes 379 home sites ranging in price from the low-$200s to the mid-$700s with acreage of 1/3-acre to more an acre. In addition to custom home sites, Tetherow boasts a striking 18-hole course designed by award-winning architect David McLay Kidd. Recognized by Golf Magazine as the “No. 1 Best New Course You Can Play in The Country” and honored with “Best-New” accolades from Golf Digest, Golfweek, Links and the Robb Report, Tetherow Golf Club has quickly become one of the most sought-after tee times in the Central Oregon golf scene. Tetherow was also honored for environmental stewardship and became the first course in Oregon to become a Certified Audubon International Signature Sanctuary. For more information, www.tetherow.com or call 541.388.CLUB (2582).

Three Crowns Golf Club – Only five golf clubs made the list for Wyoming, and Three Crowns Golf Club placed 2nd. Located in Casper, Wyoming, Three Crowns Golf Club features a spectacular Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that plays to a par 72 and stretches to 7,065 yards from the back tees. Three Crowns Golf Club is built on a former Amoco Oil Refinery site along the North Platte River. The whole site is known as the Platte River Commons, which will also comprise a business park, jogging trail, and parks, is about 350 acres in total. Golfing guests of Three Crowns are challenged by eight brilliant water features that come into play on fourteen holes and over eighty sand bunkers that contain eye-catching white sand imported from Idaho. After their round, guests enjoy the inviting clubhouse and restaurant, aptly named the “Filling Station”. The entire facility is themed around the historic refinery and the rich petroleum heritage for which this region is known. For additional information, call 307.472.CROWN (472.7696) or visit: www.threecrownsgolfclub.com.

We-Ko-Pa Golf Club – Both golf courses – Cholla and Saguaro – at We-Ko-Pa Golf Club made the Arizona list. Of the hundreds of public-access golf clubs in Arizona considered for the list, only 25 were chosen, and Cholla moved up to 3rd and Saguaro placed 1st, a remarkable feat considering Arizona’s unusually high density of high-end daily-fee golf clubs. Located on the Fort McDowell Indian Community, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is a daily fee golf facility that consists of the original 18 holes, the Cholla course, designed by Scott Miller and a second 18 holes, the Saguaro course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. In addition to the two 18-hole courses, there is a large practice facility, a full-service clubhouse and a smaller clubhouse serving the Saguaro Course. We-Ko-Pa is owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and is operated by EF Golf and OB Sports Golf Management. For more, call 480.836.9000 or visit www.wekopa.com.

Scottsdale-based, OB Sports Golf Management is a diversified, golf-oriented company with a long history of success. OB Sports currently manages 40 premier golf courses and country clubs throughout the United States. Known for its comprehensive and personalized services since 1972, OB Sports has become widely acclaimed as the leader in boutique-style golf course management. For more information, visit www.obsports.com, call 480.948.1300, become a Fan of OB Sports on Facebook at www.facebook.com/obsports or follow OB Sports on Twitter: www.twitter.com/OBSportsGolf.