COPPEROPOLIS, Calif. -- Saddle Creek Resort – the gated, 900-acre Castle & Cooke community in the scenic California Foothills – has announced its Carter Morrish designed golf course was rated the No. 15 resort course in the American West by Fairways and Greens magazine.

The “Signature Series” issue contains two “best of” lists, one for non-resort courses (those without accommodations onsite) and resort courses. Saddle Creek placed No. 15 on the latter list, ahead of nationally ranked and acclaimed properties such as Troon North (Monument), Torey Pines (South), Kapalua Plantation, Loews Ventana Canyon and Half Moon Bay (Old Course).

“We are honored to receive this ranking and that the editors and writers of Fairways and Greens consider Saddle Creek Resort one of the best overall golf experiences in the west,” General Manager Bill Troyanoski says. “We are with – and ahead of – good company on that list and it validates the investment that Castle & Cooke have made in maintaining and operating the golf course at the highest level.”

Fairways and Greens covers golf, travel and lifestyle throughout the West and beyond, and is one of the industry’s widest circulating, highly-read regional golf magazines. The year-end issue is dedicated to filling readers in on the top experiences to be had from the Sonoran desert of Phoenix-Scottsdale to Vancouver Island, from Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho to the island of Kauai. The two Top 36 lists were compiled by editors Vic Williams and Darin Bunch with input from the magazine’s stable of well-traveled freelance writers.

Previously in Fairways and Greens, Saddle Creek Resort was named one of the “Top Golf Experiences in the West” (December 2005) and one of the “Top Golf Resorts in the Western U.S.” (December 2004). For more information about Saddle Creek Resort, call 800-611-7722 or visit its newly redesigned website, www.saddlecreek.com .

About Saddle Creek

Designed by Carter Morrish and opened in 1996, the Saddle Creek Golf Club is framed by the Sierra Mountains and challenges players of all levels with five sets of tees, 100 crystal white sand bunkers and handful of shimmering lakes. To create an atmosphere of tranquility and isolation, Morrish devised a routing in which no two holes run parallel to each other. Saddle Creek’s thoughtful design and sublime conditioning have led to numerous state-wide and national accolades including:

* Golf Digest, “41/2 Stars”
* Golf Digest, “Best New Upscale”
* Golfweek, “Best Residential Golf Course,” 2007
* Golfweek, “No. 9 State-by-State,” 2006
* T+L Golf, “America’s Best 100 Courses for $100 or Less,” 2002
* ZAGAT Survey, “America’s Top Golf Courses,” 2006/07
* Fairways & Greens, “Top Golf Experiences of the West”
* Golfing Magazine, “Top Ten Courses of Northern California,” 2006

Saddle Creek Resort’s diverse and award-winning real estate blends resort and residential atmospheres. Custom homesites start at $300,000 and residential opportunities range (home and lot) from the $600s to more than $1 million. Boasting views of small lakes and oak-covered hills, these picturesque homes serve as countryside retreats and make for the ideal escape for residents in the Bay Area, San Jose and Sacramento -- all between 1.5 and two hours away.

Each neighborhood at Saddle Creek is carefully planned to complement and augment the golf course. Architectural design guidelines ensure each home is unique and blends with the overall residential theme. New real estate releases for 2006 include: Quail Creek, estate and custom homesites with beautiful views of the nearby hillsides and valleys (from the low $300s) ; Luxury Custom Homes, offered by Castle & Cooke and Vista Homes with elevations available upon request (from the mid $1,000,000s); and Copper Glen - The Foothill Collectionof Country Homes, featuring six plans and 19 elevations (from$675 to $790) with club membership incentives for early buyers .

Residents and guests of Saddle Creek can also enjoy the beauty of the Quail trail with miles of hiking trails and mountain biking and nearby skiing, snowmobiling, and the nearby Lake Tulloch. Also of interest are the sports club, featuring a 3,000-square-foot facility offering yoga and aerobic classes, a large pool, kids’ wading pool and a Jacuzzi spa. The Lodge at Saddle Creek features a fully-stocked bar and an extensive wine list, stunning vistas and the nationally-recognized culinary operation at the acclaimed Copper Grille.
Castle & Cooke, in their goals of enhancing the overall communities where they have ongoing developments and operating facilities, are adding to the Saddle Creek Resort experience. Currently in development, Copperopolis Town Square will bring an exciting new dimension to Copperopolis with its traditional town square, specialty shops, boutique art galleries, restaurants and many other businesses and that complements a retail focused mixed use town that sets alongside a beautiful creek and lake.

Saddle Creek Resort, as well as Coyote Creek Golf Club outside of San Jose, is owned and operated by Castle & Cooke, Inc. that, along with its affiliated companies, has operations in over 24 states. The company’s diversified businesses include the development and ownership of real estate, leasing of transportation equipment, manufacture of brick and ownership of public warehouses. The company’s real estate developments include master planned communities such as Mililani Town on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, Lake Sherwood in Thousand Oaks, California, and Seven Oaks in Bakersfield, California. The company also owns two of the world’s highest-rated resorts on the 98% owned island of Lana’i in Hawaii.

CONTACT:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com