They say your worst day on the golf course is better than your best day at work. Whether you�re getting away from work for the day, planning a weekend outing or just want to try a new golf course, there are plenty of options across North Dakota.

The courses range from those that have received national recognition to those revered by the locals. North Dakota has 105 nine- and 18-hole golf courses, more per capita than any other state. Golf Digest�s November 2002 issue includes a feature on �The Best Little Golf Town in America.� Bismarck ranked No. 29, Grand Forks No. 71 and Fargo No. 87 of the 314 cities included in the survey.

With so many golf courses across the state, you�ll find excellent options with reasonable green fees and all types of terrain for a variety of challenges.

There are a number of courses that garner a lot of the attention within the state, as well as outside its borders:

Bully Pulpit Golf Course, a new 18-hole golf course three miles south of Medora opened in 2004. Set in the dramatic North Dakota Badlands landscape, the course features five different tees, ranging in length from a comfortable 5,000 total yards from the forward tees to a challenging 7,300 yards at the tips. www.medoraorg/today/golf.asp

King's Walk, Grand Forks, is a new Arnold Palmer design, laid out in a natural prairie setting that recreates the atmosphere found at the great links courses of Scotland and Ireland. www.kingswalk.org

Located near Williston along Lake Sakakawea, The Linds of North Dakota was designed by Steven Kay. It is ranked as the No. 1 course in North Dakota and has received numerous other rankings, including being ranked 57th in Golfweek�s list of �America�s 100 Best Modern Courses� in 2003; ranked No. 85 in Golf World�s 2002 �Best Golf Courses,� and a 4�-star ranking from Golf Digest�s �Places to Play� in 2000-2003. www.redmike.com

Bismarck�s Hawktree is a new 18-hole course designed by James Engh that takes advantage of natural watering holes and rolling hills. In 2004, Golfweek ranks Hawktree No. 61 on its list of �America�s Best Modern Courses.� Hawktree is ranked No. 19 among Golf Digest�s �100 greatest public courses.� Hawktree was also ranked No. 2 among Golf Digest's �Best New Courses� in 2001. www.hawktree.com

In the Fargo area, try Oxbow Country Club, a Robert Trent Jones, Jr., designed course. His use of ponds and the famous �Oxbow� lend challenging playability features and natural beauty to the course. John Dahl, the course pro, is recognized by Golf Digest as the top instructor in North Dakota and by Golf Magazine as one of 100 top instructors in the United States. Oxbow is a private club, but people living outside of a 50-mile radius of Fargo are welcome to play the course. Call 701-588-4669 to reserve a tee-time. www.oxbowcc.com

For a unique, historic twist, golfers can follow the Lewis & Clark Trail through North Dakota. The golf trail retraces the route of the 19th century explorers along the Missouri River, identifying 21 golf courses near the trail. www.lewisandclarkgolftrail.com

There are courses scattered throughout the state. For a list of all the state�s golf courses, check the North Dakota Tourism Web site at www.ndtourism.com. You can also check the North Dakota Golf Association Web site at www.ndgolf.org. Many hotels also offer �stay and play� packages for guests. Ask about lodging packages when you call the golf course.

Plan to get out and experience one of the state�s fine golf courses. It�s an opportunity to have an adventure without venturing far from home.

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Media Contact: Sara Otte Coleman, Director, Tourism Division North Dakota Department of Commerce 701-328-2525