If you’re a golfer like me, Spring means it’s time to get out the clubs and head to the golf course. Here in Boone County we’re fortunate to have a great selection of golf course to play that offer a challenge to any level of golfer.

Here are just a few of the great golf available to you in Boone County. For a complete list, click the GOLF link on our BooneCVB website.

Trophy Club in Lebanon is continually rated in the Top Ten courses in Indiana. This classic links-style course features gnarly heather lining most wind-swept fairways, elevated tees and greens on some holes, water hazards on many of the holes, all manner of bunkers and always true and fast greens. Unless you’re a sub-10 handicap player, I’d suggest playing Trophy Club from the white tees for your first few times so as to get to know the lay of this always windy and very tricky layout that has beaten this writer into submission more than a few times. But I do love a course where a good shot is rewarded.

A unique feature of Trophy Club is their “last chance” 19th hole (no, not that one, this is a real golf hole!); a par 3 tee shot only that allows for settling those “all tied/break even” wagers. Hint: take one more club as the wind is usually in your face on the 19th.

All around nice guy and knowledgeable Trophy Club pro, B. G. Winings, will ensure your golf experience is a good one. Warm up on their generous driving range and putting green. When you’re done playing you can sit out on the patio or indoors in the clubhouse bar with a refreshing libation (adult beverages are served) and relive your round. To visit the Trophy Club website, go to www.thetrophyclubgolf.com Sign up for their emails as they offer great deals all year long.

Golf Club of Indiana, just west of Zionsville, provides a wide open expanse of holes that are challenging in many ways. This always well maintained course can be really long if you play the back tees (7,000+ yards) and features mature trees, always undulating & sloping greens, water in play on 15 holes and fairways that demand a well placed drive to greens that putt true and fast.

GCI has a great driving range and putting green as well as golf lessons from their PGA pro. Visit the Golf Club of Indiana website – www.golfindiana.com for all the info plus how to sign up for their GCI Loyalty Club that offers discounts and specials for golfers.

Cool Lake Golf Club, north of Lebanon on SR39, is a country golf course that winds around a bubbling creek and various ponds with sweeping fairways pointing to rolling greens. This very affordable course is a great choice for beginning golfers and will challenge the experienced player as well. Clubhouse includes an open patio overlooking a pond with complete pro shop and cafe. Visit Cool Lake online at www.coollakegolf.com

Zionsville Golf Course is a 9-hole gem that’s fun to walk and features a couple of the strangest tree-blocked greens you’ll ever find on a golf course. Hole #5 (367yds) has this big Sycamore tree in the middle of the fairway that demands a drive to the right for the chip onto the tiered green. Hole #8 is a relatively short (261yds) par 4 with a tee shot either under, over or around a massive maple tree that sits literally in the middle of the fairway, blocking the steeply elevated green. If you want to get out and play a quick fun 9 holes of golf, Zionsville Golf Course is your place – visit www.zionsvillegolfcourse.com  – but be prepared for some of the strangest shots you’ll ever face.

I’ve visited most every course in Boone County and one thing I do know is that you’ll be treated well whichever golf course you choose to play. Our area pros and course owners treat their guests with our own special brand of  Hoosier Hospitality you’ll only find right here in the heart of it all – Boone County.

Wow, has Spring sprung up fast  in Boone County this year or what? With the warm weather this past couple of weeks, flowering trees are blooming big and perennials are popping up all over. It’s a great time of year.

Speaking of great times, the locally-owned restaurants in Zionsville are holding a 2-week Z’LICIOUS promotion – with every restaurant offering a special Dinner for Two for just $25!

With 12 different venues to choose from, here’s a great opportunity for you to visit that Zionsville restaurant you’ve always wanted to try out. For all the delicious (or is that Z’licious) details on this special two-week only promotion, visit www.zionsvillechamber.org

The 2010 Boone County Tourism Guide will be coming out April 24th! This handy and colorful guide contains an extensive calendar of events as well as a complete listing and descriptions of our seasonal festivals. To get your copy, stop by our office or call 765-484-8572 and we’ll send you a copy.

The 2010 Boone County festivals and events calendar begins in mid May with Zionsville’s newly named – Brick Street Market – on Saturday, May 16th. Zionsville’s cobblestone Main Street will be filled with booths featuring work by local artists and artisans, apparel, antiques, hand-made goods and other great finds. There’s also a food court and fun for the kids at this annual event that draws a big crowd. Admission is free, as well.

The Boone County Home & Garden Show is being held April 15-17 at the 4H Fairgrounds in Lebanon. See the latest ideas in home improvement, learn more about landscape gardening and visit with the experts. For more information, please visit www.boonechamber.org

Congratulations to Tom & Kerry Dull of Dull’s Tree Farm in Thorntown as their family barn was one of five barns voted for in a national promotion sponsored by Campbell Soups and the FFA to be restored. The National FFA, Western Boone FFA and Clinton Prairie FFA along with other volunteers will be at the farm on April 15 & 16 to renovate their big barn thanks to the Campbell’s Soup Company. The completion celebration is scheduled for April 18 at the Dull’s Farm. You can find out more by visiting http://dullstreefarm.com/index.php

We’re excited about all the great activities and events coming up in the next weeks for you to enjoy in Boone County. You’re also always welcome to stop by our office on the Courthouse Square in Lebanon to find out more ways to enjoy your time – right here in the Heart of it All!