Upsets Abound in GolfLink.com's Ranking of Top 100 US Golf Courses

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Tue May 20, 2008 8:00am EDT

Input from Millions of Golfers Gives Ranking Methodology
  Unprecedented Scope and Credibility, as Well as Surprising Results
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
GolfLink.com(R), the leading online golf resource and home to the
world's largest online golf community, today unveiled its 2008 Top 100
Courses list, presented by ING, one of the largest financial services
companies in the world. The list puts a new spin on what makes for a
great golf course by gleaning insights from millions of GolfLink.com
visitors and more than 200,000 community members. This defining
characteristic distinguishes it from other rankings. The rankings take
several variables into account including course reviews, user
activity, golfer feedback and expert input.

   "It was important for us to rank courses not on reputation, but on
actual feedback from our members," said Doug Colbeck, general manager,
GolfLink.com. "GolfLink community members and site users represent a
perfect cross-section of players who not only love golf, but love to
spread the word about experiences they've had on the links - both good
and bad. When they talk, we listen, and their input is reflected in
this year's list."

   An example of the list's unique nature can be found in the ranking
of Pebble Beach courses. Typical lists rank Pebble Beach Golf Links,
the signature Pebble course, in the top five to ten courses. However
GolfLink rankings list Pebble Beach at #81, some 50 slots below nearby
courses Spyglass Hill and Cypress Point Club. The reason can be found
in user feedback that found equal or better experiences just down the
block while enjoying considerably better value in greens fees.

   California takes the crown as the state hosting the most golf
courses on the list with 20, narrowly beating out Florida with 18. New
York had six and interestingly Arizona only has one course that made
the cut.

   Here's a look at the top 15 courses on the list:

   1) Bethpage State Park Black Course - Farmingdale, NY

   2) Augusta National Golf Club -Augusta, GA

   3) Pine Valley Golf Club - Clementon, NJ

   4) Kearney Hill Links - Lexington, KY

   5) Riviera Country Club - Pacific Palisades, CA

   6) Pine Barrens Course at World Woods Golf Club - Brooksville, FL

   7) Ko'olau Golf Club - Kaneohe, HI

   8) Tobacco Road Golf Club - Sanford, NC

   9) Calusa Pines Golf Club - Naples, FL

   10) BayWood Greens Golf Course - Long Neck, DE

   11) The Golf Course at Glen Mills - Glen Mills, PA

   12) Championship Course at Bay Hill - Orlando, FL

   13) Sunsweet Hills Course at Golf Club of South Georgia - Tifton,
GA

   14) Pinehurst No. 2 Golf Course - Pinehurst, NC

   15) Caledonia Golf & Fish Club - Pawleys Island, SC

   For the complete 2008 list visit
http://www.golflink.com/top-golf-courses.

   About GolfLink.com

   GolfLink, a Demand Media(TM) company, is a leading online golfing
resource and community, providing golfers of all interests and skill
levels indispensable expert and user information about every aspect of
the game. With a host of unique offerings, including GolfLink Travel,
professional golf tips and videos, and descriptions of more than
20,000 golf courses and golf resorts, GolfLink puts a world of useful
content and community knowledge at every golfer's fingertips. GolfLink
has been a trusted online source for golfing information since its
original inception in 1995, making it one of the most venerable golf
sites on the web. For more information, visit www.golflink.com.

for GolfLink.com
Andrew Pray, 415-348-2732
praya@ruderfinn.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008
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