The King of Golf, Arnold Palmer, is visiting King's Walk Golf Course in Grand Forks. Palmer will be touring the course and answering questions from the press and public.

Designed by Palmer, the 18-hole course has exceeded play expectations since it opened in 2002 thanks to innovative programs for youth, seniors and women that have driven record participation in the area.

A catalyst in the city's recovery from the devastating flood of 1997, King's Walk is becoming a destination course on a national level. Palmer's visit is inspired by the unique circumstances surrounding the course and the city of Grand Forks.

"We are so proud that one of our golf courses has been part of rebuilding the spirit of the city of Grand Forks. It is great to know that King's Walk is making a difference in Grand Forks and providing a place for people to relax and have fun," says Erik Larsen, Executive Vice Presidents of Arnold Palmer Design Company.

As a designer of approximately 300 Arnold Palmer Signature Courses worldwide, Palmer last visited Grand Forks in 2000 to oversee the design and progress of King's Walk.

King's Walk is one of several North Dakota courses to receive national recognition in recent years. Just this summer, Golf magazine listed Hawktree in Bismarck on its list of top 100 public access courses, in 2001 Golf Digest ranked Hawktree No. 2 on its list of "Best New Courses of 2001," and No. 19 on its list of "100 Greatest Public Courses."

Additionally, Golf singled out The Links on Lake Sakakawea as one of four courses nationwide where it pays to play again. And in 2005, Medora's Bully Pulpit was named by Golf Digest as "America's Best New Affordable Public Course."

"North Dakota has some incredible golfing opportunities that rank right up there with the very best courses nationally," says Sara Otte Coleman, Director of Tourism. "King's Walk is a great example of the focus golf greats and golf enthusiasts are giving to our top-notch courses."

And opportunities for play abound, Otte Coleman says. North Dakota has more golf courses per capita than any other state – 116 nine- and eighteen-hole courses.

For more information about North Dakota's golf courses, visit www.ndtourism.com or www.ndgolf.org. For more information about King's Walk and Mr. Palmer's visit, contact the Grand Forks Park District at 701-787-2750.

Contact:
Sara Otte Coleman, Director, Tourism Division
North Dakota Department of Commerce
Tel. 701-202-6526