Ann Latta, Kentucky Tourism Development Cabinet Secretary, is charged with finding ways to create more tourism dollars for our great Commonwealth. The economic impact of tourism reached $9.1 billion in 2002, a historic milestone, and making it the third-largest industry in Kentucky. "I am very proud that in the seven years of this administration, tourism has increased by better than $2 billion, or 28.4 percent."

One of her challenges is to get people to stay longer in Kentucky rather than simply being an overnight stopover to another point of destination. Prior to her appointment by Governor Patton in 1995, the Tourism Development Cabinet concentrated on promoting existing facilities. The Tourism Development Act, instituted in 1996, offers incentives for new attractions that will bring new tourism dollars and more people to Kentucky. The Newport Aquarium, Kentucky Speedway, and new Kentucky Artisan Center are examples of new popular attractions.

"Nearly a half-billion dollars in private capital has been invested in new or expanded major tourism attractions through incentives provided by the Act," Latta said. "The net positive economic impact on the state over the next 10 years, of the 10 projects approved to date, will reach $150 million.

Latta, being a golfer herself, wanted to strengthen the Kentucky state park system‘s network of golf courses, since golf is one of the country‘s most popular recreational activities.

All the rain over the past year affected the opening schedule of the new courses. In April, the legislature gave the go ahead to continue the work on the new courses. Next, they decided to open the courses this year, giving the opportunity to turn an expense into revenues. The grounds would be ready, and the staff would be on hand to maintain them the rest of the year anyway. Although the clubhouses and parking lots would be temporary buildings and gravel, the golfers had everything they needed.

With golfers spending about a $26.1 billion a year on golf travel, according to the National Golf Foundation, Latta realized what the economic impact of golf would mean to Kentucky. When people come to play golf, they not only pay for their golf rounds, but they buy something to eat, a souvenir or two, and stay overnight or for several days. "Golf keeps people here longer," said Latta. "They stay and play several courses, which is very beneficial to the whole community and region."

"We now offer a golf network that any state would be proud to have. Our courses offer exciting, challenging play for all skill levels," Secretary Latta said. "Most people wouldn‘t expect such nice courses at State Parks."

"I‘m thrilled to get these facilities opened and know that a lot of people will continue to enjoy them for a long time to come."

"I‘ve got the two best jobs in the world," she said, being Secretary of the Tourism Development Cabinet for eight years and Acting Parks Commissioner for the last year. In December, Latta will retire.

Kentucky Golf Trail

The Kentucky Golf Trail has become a reality with many stops along the way. Last year, Wasioto Winds kicked off the Kentucky Golf Trail. With the new courses at Dale Hollow, Grayson Lake, Mineral Mound and Pennyrile opening up this year, and Yatesville Lake and Kincaid opening next year there will be great golf courses in the diverse natural settings of Kentucky.

A Hidden Treasure

Hidden Cove at Grayson Lake State Park is a little less than a two-hour drive from Lexington. Taking I-64 East to Exit 172 is a nice, scenic drive to the course, and less of a hassle than driving a few miles across town or down the road to a local course.

Driving into the course, we saw beautiful white bunkers, rolling fairways, and teeing areas that were flat. Golfers can chose from the five sets of tees that fit his or her game. Latta is "proud as punch" of the new course, and couldn‘t wait to find out what we thought about it.

A large driving range and putting green welcomed us to warm up for the day. We experienced Hidden Cove from the tips to the forward tees, with Dave‘s view from the back tees being very different from mine at the forward tees. All of the teeing areas were large and flat, including the forward tees. "They were designed with the original plan and not placed as an after thought," said Latta.

The first hole gets your juices flowing as you see a few bunkers on each side of the fairway leading up to a slightly elevated green. While enjoying the beautiful scenery, you know you must focus on your game. There are slanted fairways, ravines, water, multi-level greens, and a meandering creek here and there, causing you to think about your shot rather than just stepping up and hitting it.

"The Par 5‘s are exceptionally long at 583 (#12) and 647 (#9) yards [from the tips]. It‘s a nice layout, but you‘ll want to use good course management," Dave said. The greens challenged our putting skills. "They were a moderate speed, but not being as fast as they looked." "The slope determined the speed and not the grain."

We agree with Secretary Latta. "Grayson Lake exceeded our expectations." "The course is challenging yet fun." We will return at the first opportunity.

At the end of the day, we did what Latta expected that we would do. Dave and I stopped for a bite to eat.

From sea to shining sea

Or lake to shining lake in Kentucky, travelers alike want to experience all that senses can enjoy. With today‘s fast paced living and extensive choices of entertainment, the tourism industry is finding that its visitors want more. The fishermen, boaters, hikers, etc. like the additional option to play golf. From getaways for families to team building retreats, the Kentucky State Park System has the answer. Dale Hollow is one of the parks that has opened a new golf course and conference center.

Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is the longest of the new courses, measuring 7,273 yards. Located at the Southern Kentucky/Tennessee border, you may hear a few notes of "Rocky Top" from golfers hitting out of the 61 unusually steep bunkers on the hilly terrain. The course in the 3,400 acres of beautiful wilderness will bring you back to sweet reality in "My Old Kentucky Home." The No. 8 par 5 hole green is framed by a waterfall and small cave. And, before the end of the round, there‘s the gorge at the par 3 No. 15 hole, you‘ll have to hit over to master this course.

From tees to greens

The courses attract local golfers, and put new money into the local economy. From individual golfers to high school golf teams to leagues, the new courses provide a place to play golf, where there has not been any.

At the driving range at Grayson Lake, we met a golfer who had already played the course three times in the short time the course has been open.
"The opening of Grayson Lake means that the local high school can now have girls and boys golf teams," the Superintendent of Elliott County said.

The First Tee‘s Pine Mountain Chapter at Wasioto Winds had 348 youngsters registered in its program. After qualifying, and then taking a test, 109 of them passed. "I really believe that The First Tee program at Pine Mountain will have a positive impact on these youngster‘s lives for many years to come," said John Brock, manager at Pine Mountain.

The state courses also have men‘s, women‘s, and senior‘s leagues, providing a place for new golfers and new avenues for charity fundraising through golf tournaments. Over 15 million golfers participate in over 140,000 outings which annually spawn $2.9 billion in charitable donations to national and local community causes, according to the National Golf Foundation.

An increase of $3.4 million in tourism revenues from 2001-2002 in Bell County can be attributed to Wasioto Winds, an 18-hole championship course at Pine Mountain State Resort Park.

All the new courses have exceeded the expected revenues since the openings with Grayson Lake doubling its expectation.

First Class State – First Class Courses

Dave and I are happy that the new golf courses opened this year, giving Kentucky an even wider selection from which to chose. Whether it‘s an established course or a new one on the Kentucky Golf Trail, there are great golf courses designed by nationally recognized course architects just waiting for you to have fun.

We enjoyed playing the Hidden Cove course at Grayson Lake, and look forward to hopping down the Kentucky Golf Trail at the state parks.

Secretary Latta, we know tourists from all over will say, "Thanks for the memories."