RIVERSIDE, Iowa – Blue Top Ridge at Riverside, the only golf facility in Iowa ever to have renowned architect Rees Jones’ imprint, has been selected No. 5 among the Best New Public Courses in America by Golf Digest. The ranking, which appears in the magazine’s December edition, is the highest ever for an Iowa course in the category and marks just the fourth time that any Iowa golf facility was chosen by Golf Digest since the category ratings began in 1983.

Blue Top Ridge at Riverside, which opened for play in August 2007 - three months after the survey deadline for Golf Digest – was inflicted during the historic 2008 Iowa flooding, losing four holes. However, Blue Top Ridge reopened its full 18 holes in 2009, earning a full season’s review based on shot values, design variety, resistance to scoring, memorability and aesthetics.

“It’s great to have the course recognized as it is, and I think it will only get better and better,” said Jones, whose roster of courses includes seven U.S. Open, six PGA Championship and four Ryder Cup sites. “We were very fortunate to get that piece of land. We have gone on to create four new holes on higher round away from the flood plain. The course remains just as fun for the average golfer as for the best players.”

Golf Digest architectural editor Ron Whitten said that “Blue Top Ridge received excellent scores,” and said that the course was evaluated from May 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009. The 2009 Best New Public Courses (see list below), also includes another Iowa layout – No. 10 The Preserve on Rathbun Lake in Moravia.

Since 1983, Golf Digest has ranked two previous Iowa courses – The Harvester Golf Club in Rhodes, Iowa (2001, Best New Affordable); and Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City (1994, Best New Upscale).

Blue Top Ridge at Riverside adjoins the Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, which also is home for the Iowa PGA Section. Since 2007, the resort has hosted the GIVE (Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere) program, which achieved national recognition by The PGA of America and the Veterans Administration for its unique curriculum that blends PGA Professional-led golf instruction and accompanying life lesson support to enhance the mental, social, physical and emotional well-being of veterans.

Blue Top Ridge, which measures 5,191 yards from its forward tees to 7,505 from its championship tees. It is estimated to play at 7,400 yards once the rerouting of the front nine opens in late spring 2010.

“We are excited about the recognition, and we believe that the new holes will make us an even more challenging and enjoyable course,” said Blue Top Ridge PGA Director of Golf Bryan Haas. “Because of the topography of the new layout, it will play similar in length and remain a great test.

“Last September, we hosted the Golfweek Collegiate Challenge – a 15-team invitational – and we enjoyed great reviews of the coaches and players. We were able to move around the tees a bit and one day of the event we stretched our 16th hole [nicknamed ‘All In’] to 680 yards. The players handled it well, averaging around par. We are proud of what has taken place so far on the course, and we only can get better as we look to new events to bring to Blue Top Ridge.”

For more information about Blue Top Ridge at Riverside, call 877.677.3456, or visit www.riversidecasinoandresort.com

Golf Digest 2009 Best New Public Courses
1. The Pete Dye Course at French Lick (Ind.) Resort
2. Palouse Ridge Golf Club at Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.
3. Tetherow Golf Club, Bend, Ore.
4. Pound Ridge (N.Y.) Golf Club
5. Blue Top Ridge at Riverside (Iowa)
6. Wild Rock Golf Club, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
7. Sand Hollow Resort (Championship), Hurricane, Utah
8. Newport Dunes Golf Club, Port Aransas, Texas
9. Sweetgrass Golf Club, Harris, Mich.
10. The Preserve on Rathbun Lake, Moravia, Iowa

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