John Deere Golf Gives 'Landmark Property' Label to Iowa Great Lakes Golf Resort in...

John Deere Golf Gives 'Landmark Property' Label to Iowa Great Lakes Golf
Resort in Spirit Lake, Dickinson County
RESIDENTIAL MODELS START CONSTRUCTION LATE SUMMER

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa, July 13 /PRNewswire/ --Benskin Developers Inc. / Iowa
Great Lakes Development Division, the developers and visionaries behind the
Iowa Great Lakes Golf Resort, announced today that John Deere Golf / Van Wall
Group have entered into an agreement that recognizes the project to be built
next year as a "Landmark Property." The designation underscores the quality of
the design and construction of the 18-hole championship course and its
accompanying active lifestyle residential community.

Iowa Great Lakes Golf Resort golf course, a 230-acre championship public
daily-fee golf course, is the only Iowa golf course community to make the
Landmark list and is currently only one of 21 in the world to receive the
designation. John Deere Golf Landmark Properties represent an elite group of
world class resorts, clubs and communities that have embarked on a long-term
supplier relationship with John Deere Golf for their complete golf course and
property maintenance solutions. These select properties enjoy a menu of
products and services that are unparalleled in the industry today.
Construction of the golf course is scheduled to begin in early 2010 and is
expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

In Iowa, John Deere may be best-known for its signature green and yellow
tractors and combines as well as supporting equipment used in farming the
state's fertile soil, but the Fortune 100 Company is also the world's largest
supplier of products and services to the golf, sports turf and green industry.

"John Deere Golf's Landmark Property designation sends a message about the
caliber of this course and community to golfers and real estate buyers across
the country," said Alex Benskin, a partner in Benskin Development with his
father, Marty Benskin. "Receiving this kind of recognition and support will
help put Iowa Great Lakes Golf Resort on the map. The cachet of the John Deere
name and reputation will be a huge asset in attracting golfers, real estate
buyers, and will provide a venue for regional and national golf tournaments."

A key advantage of receiving the Landmark designation beyond the national
recognition is that John Deere will internally recognize the Iowa Great Lakes
Golf Resort as one of its preferred corporate golf locations. As a result, the
resort will have enhanced visibility for attracting company award recognition
ceremonies, regional and national corporate meetings, as well as vendor,
customer and dealer meetings.

"The Landmark Property relationship provides exceptional products and services
to a select group of elite golf resort properties," said Don Van Houweling,
president of the Van Wall Group, one of the most significant John Deere dealer
organizations in the Midwest. "We're excited to add the Iowa Great Lakes
Resort to this exclusive list and look forward to getting the project
underway."

Additionally, Iowa Great Lakes Golf will use John Deere technology, services
and products, including irrigation systems and the full line of green products
in the construction and maintenance of the course. Benskin added that the
affiliation with John Deere completes what he describes as "the dream team" of
golf course community development, construction and management.

Nicklaus Design, a firm started by golf great Jack Nicklaus, will design the
course, and the developers selected Weitz Golf, the largest in the industry,
to build the course and clubhouse.

Troon Golf, which is the world's largest golf management company overseeing
operations at properties in 31 states and 26 countries, will manage the golf
course as well as food and beverage operations. Iowa Great Lakes will benefit
from Troon Golf's professional management expertise and elite loyalty programs
currently experienced across its worldwide portfolio of golf facilities.

"Bringing together the best team and their brands has been central to our
vision of what Iowa Great Lakes Golf Community will be," Benskin said.
"Assembling the best in design, development, construction and management took
a little more time, but we believe the final product will be worth the wait."

More Than Golf, An Active Lifestyle Community
Iowa Great Lakes Lifestyle Center Golf Resort serves as the centerpiece of a
528-acre active lifestyle development encompassing retail, residential and
entertainment. In tandem with preparing for the golf course construction,
Benskin is in the process of finalizing plans to move forward in late summer
or early fall with construction of a model complex that will consist of a
community clubhouse, four low-density, one-story condominium homes and three
detached patio homes.

"The John Deere Landmark designation extends to the residential component of
our project as well," said Glen N. Maddox Jr., CEO of Iowa Great Lakes
Development Division. "The John Deere Landmark Property endorsement allows us
to build awareness of Iowa Great Lakes Golf Resort among John Deere's current
and former employees, customers, vendors, dealers and other affiliates
estimated at approximately 250,000. It's a real boost in reaching an
interested market of prospective golf players and real estate buyers."

The residential building plans for the maintenance-free villages will be
provided by one of the nation's top home-building franchisors. The one story
condominiums and detached patio homes will be 100- percent maintenance-free
for homeowners and will be located in "villages" throughout the project. The
golf course, clubhouse and the estimated 900-plus residential units will be
constructed by Weitz Golf International, the world's largest golf course and
clubhouse builder.

Benskin Developers Inc., based in Des Moines, Iowa, started work on Iowa Great
Lakes Lifestyle Center in 2005. The multi-faceted project, which includes
commercial, retail and hospitality, sits on 528 acres at the Iowa Great Lakes,
a chain of 5 glacier-carved lakes covering 15,000 acres in Northwest Iowa.
West Okoboji, the centerpiece of the lakes, is one of only 3 blue water lakes
in the world- providing for incredibly crisp and beautiful water.

SOURCE Benskin Developers Inc.

Jamie Buelt, +1-515-248-1808, jbuelt@enqstrategies.com, for Benskin
Developers