POMONA, N.Y. (April 24, 2006) -- This year’s listing of the best American golf courses by Golfweek Magazine caused a bit of a stir when Cypress Point knocked perennial number one, Pine Valley, from the top spot. An additional stir was the one caused by Empire Golf Management, which had four of its eight Club Max USA courses included on the prestigious public access list.

Judges nationwide rated the courses based on routing, natural setting and overall land plan, interest of greens and contours, variety and memorability of holes, conditioning and land management. In New Jersey, Pine Barrens (Jackson), Twisted Dune (Egg Harbor Twp.) and Pine Hill GC (Pine Hill) were rated among the best, and Branton Woods (Hopewell Junction) made the list in New York.

Pine Barrens Golf Club was rated the third best public access course in New Jersey. This Ocean County gem stretches to 7,112 yards from the back tees and has served as a qualifying site for the US Open. It is moving toward full privatization in the fall.

Number five on this year’s list was Empire’s public access Twisted Dune course. Located just minutes from Atlantic City, the Scottish-style links layout is unforgettable. In 2002, Golfweek named Twisted Dune “3rd Best Daily Fee Golf Course in New Jersey.” And in 2003, the New Jersey Golf Course Owners Association honored Twisted Dune with the “Best New Public Golf Course” award. From October 1-4 the course will host the Cleveland Tour’s year-ending event. This is the second year running that the tour has visited.

Pine Hill Golf Club’s Tom Fazio designed championship course came in at #7 on the list. It has earned dozens of awards, including #31 nationwide in GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Courses You Can Play (2002-03 & 2004-05). With a warm and cozy clubhouse atop the hill of a former ski resort, Pine Hill’s Grille & Pub offers a panoramic overlook above the award-winning golf course and the city of Philadelphia.

In New York, Empire Golf Management made its presence felt with its new Branton Woods Golf Club coming in at #7 among the state’s courses. Conveniently located in the beautiful lower Hudson River Valley, the course was designed by architect and owner of Empire Golf Management, Eric Bergstol, and is situated on 300 acres of park-like property that features spectacular naturalized areas, large undulating greens and strategically placed bunkers. It will be fully private as of September 1, 2006.

All of the Empire courses honored in this year’s rankings are part of the company’s Club Max USA portfolio of premiere golf clubs. Members of Club Max USA enjoy playing privileges at all courses in the portfolio. For additional information regarding the Club Max Program, call (845) 362-9146 or visit www.clubmaxusa.com.

Empire Golf Management – Changing the face of golf in New York and New Jersey. A subsidiary of Bergstol Enterprises, Empire Golf Management has been responsible for the financing, development, management, merchandising, and day-to-day supervision of the golf clubs within the Empire portfolio for over a decade. With superb layouts and championship course conditions, Empire aims to provide an excellent golf experience to Members and guests alike. Empire’s ‘Club Max USA’ Program offers golfers the experience of being a Member at a variety of courses for the price of one. Empire Golf Management is located in Pomona, NY; (845) 362-9146 (www.empiregolfmanagement.com).

CONTACT:
Barbara Murphy or Tim Reihm
Smith O’Keefe and Associates
800.222.0461 ext. 101 or ext. 114
publicrelations@smithokeefe.com