Palmer voted top golf course in Alaska

JEREMIAH BARTZ/ Frontiersman sports editor

PALMER - For the third year in a row, the Palmer Golf Course has been named best the venue for golf in the state of Alaska.

In the May issue of the magazine, which hit the shelves on April 12, Golf Digest included the Palmer Golf Course as one of the 100 greatest courses in the country and the best in Alaska.

"This is huge for us. It's something we're very proud of," Palmer Golf Course general manager Jeff Barnhart said. "All of the other courses want this

ranking."

Golf Digest listed Chena Bend Golf Course in Fairbanks as Alaska's runner-up. The creek course of Moose Run in Eagle River, Eagle Glenn on Elmendorf Air Force Base and Settlers Bay in Wasilla rounded out the top five.

Barnhart said the Palmer course will always have its loyal Valley players, but recognition such as this may increase interest from golfers in the surrounding communities.

"More than anything else, its a feather in our cap," Barnhart said.

Russell McKechnie, a lifelong resident of Palmer, hit the Palmer Golf Course Thursday for an afternoon on the fairways. McKechnie, who has played the course since it opened, said it is nice having a quality course in the Palmer area, but the people keep him coming back.

"The management treats us right," McKechnie said.

When choosing the top course in the country, panelists use criteria including shot value, resistance to scoring, design variety, memorability, aesthetics, conditioning, ambiance and walkability.

Barnhart said he believes the look, quality of turf and walkability of the course separates Palmer from other venues in the state. He said Knik Glacier and Pioneer Peak adds to the ambiance and players have a 360-degree view from anywhere on the course.

Golf Digest has listed its 100 best courses annually since 1966. A panel of 850 low-handicap male and female golfers from across the nation vote on the ranking of the

courses.