The ratings process involved 20,000 Golf Digest readers who filled out course ballots to share their experiences at and opinions of more than 6,500 golf courses in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The 5-star rating scale was based on criteria such as overall golf experience, value, service, conditioning, and pace of play.

Black Lake Golf Club, Treetops' Jones course, Fazio course, and Smith course each earned 4 ˝ star ratings.

Award-winning architect Rees Jones designed Black Lake GC, which is owned and operated by the United Auto Workers.

Treetops' stable of four championship courses included the award winners by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Tom Fazio, and Rick Smith comprise some of the best golf on one property anywhere - the panoramic views stretch over deep, forested valleys for over 30 miles.

Gaylord Golf Mecca courses that received 4-star ratings included three courses from the popular Garland Resort in Lewiston - The Fountains, Swampfire, and Monarch.

Other 4-star award-winners included the Otsego Club's Loon Course, and the Tom Doak-designed Black Forest and the accompanying Wilderness Valley GC. The popular Elk Ridge and The Natural at Beaver Creek Resort-both designed by Jerry Matthews, Fox Run in Grayling, Marsh Ridge Resort, Treetops Tradition, and Gaylord Country Club each received a 4-star vote from readers.

"To have 16 of our 24 courses selected to 4 stars or better tells me that the golf consumers are very happy with the golf experience in the Gaylord Golf Mecca," said Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Gaylord Area Chamber and Tourism Bureau. "It further shows that our area has the quality and quantity of great golf to compete with the top golf destinations in America."

With five resort destinations, and 24 hotel properties within a 45-minute drive, the Gaylord Golf Mecca offers up something for everyone from high-quality public courses, to superb resort or hotel lodging, with fine dining in sophisticated and casual restaurants and Inns.