BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell University has been rated among the top 25 schools in the nation in the third annual Golf Digest College Golf Guide Golf First rankings. The rankings and College Golf Guide package provides a blueprint for high school students with dreams of playing golf in college and professionally ("Golf First" ranking), as well as students focused on education who still desire to play competitive golf ("Academics First" ranking).

Among the nation's nearly 800 collegiate men's golf programs, Campbell was ranked 13th by Golf Digest in the "Golf First" category. In the listing of the country's 500 women's programs, Campbell was the 25th-best, according to the magazine's research in the "Golf First" segment.

In the "Golf Only" category, Campbell scored even higher. The Campbell men rated ninth nationally in the category, which reflects points earned in team adjusted scoring average, player growth and facilities/coaches. Campbell's women ranked 20th nationally in the "Golf Only" listing.

The full college rankings, including every Division I, Division II and Division III school in the U.S. with a golf program, may be viewed on-line at www.golfdigest.com/rankings/college/2007/09/collegegolfrankings. The extensive College Golf Guide package—with tips for identifying the best campuses and a revealing survey of 200 college golf coaches on the student-evaluation and recruiting process—can also be viewed online.

Five criteria form the basis of the rankings: a college golf team's adjusted scoring average, player growth while on the team, academics, climate and coaches/facilities.

"Golf Digest based its rankings on the improvement of an athlete's stroke average from year-to-year and the stability and expertise of the coaching staff," said Campbell head coach John Crooks. "That combined with our facilities and results showed that Campbell is one of the top-25 places in the United States to play college golf. We're fortunate at Campbell to have an administration that feels so strongly in supporting golf, and a 36-hole course that is in great shape, which helps attract excellent student-athletes."

The academic numbers come courtesy of U.S. News & World Report's respected "America's Best Colleges" guidebook. The climate numbers were provided by Longitudes Group and measure each school's 30-year average of playable days from September 1 to May 31.

The player-growth category is a refinement to Golf Digest's rankings this year and is based on two measurements: the number of players on the roster during the last four seasons who lowered their adjusted scoring average on a year-over-year basis, as well as the team's combined improvement or decline.

Coach Crooks is in his 18th year in charge of the Campbell's men's golf program and his 17th at the helm of the women's team. He has been named either men's or women's conference coach of the year 14 times, including the last two Atlantic Sun Conference Women's Coach of the Year awards, an honor he has received eight times in the last 12 years.

In addition, Crooks was inducted into the National Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January 2006 after he became just the seventh person in NCAA Division I women's golf history to record 50 tournament coaching wins. The team's 2007 A-Sun title marked Crooks' 56th coaching triumph on the women's side.

During his tenure at Campbell, Crooks has guided his programs to a pair of NCAA Championship appearances, 17 NCAA regional showings, 14 conference team titles, and 90 team tournament wins. He has coached two Academic All-Americans, 13 conference players of the year, 126 conference all-academic team members and 108 all-conference team members.

Stanford took the top spot in the men's "Golf First" ranking. UCLA is ranked second, followed by Southern Cal, Pepperdine and Duke in the top five.

In the women's "Golf First" ranking, Duke, the three-time defending NCAA champ, is No. 1, followed by UCLA, Stanford, Southern Cal and Vanderbilt.

In establishing the rankings, Golf Digest rated 772 NCAA men's programs and 500 women's programs in the five categories mentioned below, grading each category on a 100-point scale to determine overall scores:

Team adjusted scoring average: (Golf First: 40%; Academics First: 15%). Spans last four seasons and applies the formula used by NCAA committees to select postseason teams. (Source: golfstat.com).

Player growth: (Golf First: 19.5%; Academics First: 7%). A new judging category, player growth determines whether players on a program's roster during the last four years lowered their adjusted scoring average on a year-to-year basis and the team's combined improvement or decline. (Source: golfstat.com).

Academics: (Golf First: 14%; Academics First: 58%). Overall score from U.S. News & World Report's 2006 guidebook America's Best Colleges. (Source: usnews.com).

Climate: (Golf First: 12%; Academics First: 10%). A 30-year average of number of playable days between September 1-May 31. Allows for play in poor weather but not in extreme, dangerous or snow-covered conditions. (Source: Longitudes Group).

Coaches/facilities: (Golf First: 14.5%; Academics First: 10%). Measures coaches' experience and past performance; quality of campus–affiliated or available courses and practice facilities. (Source: Information provided by colleges and Ping American College Golf Guide.)

KeithHillsCountry Club

Buies Creek,N.C.

Keith Hills Country Club has long been a hidden treasure in the Southeast. It has been rated as high as the seventh best public golf course in North Carolina by Carolina Magazine. This Ellis Maples-designed championship golf course offers a complete and exciting challenge to the golfing enthusiast. With large bent grass greens and rolling, plush fairways, Keith Hills is fun for all players. The layout winds through a golfing community set on the Cape Fear River, which makes Keith Hills one of the most picturesque settings in North Carolina.

Voted as one of the top 100 values in the country and as a Four-Star Award Winner by Golf Digest,Keith Hills has gained national recognition. Home to Campbell University's Professional Golf Management Program and golf teams, Keith Hills plays host to two collegiate golf tournaments throughout the year.

KeithHills,already the premier golf facility in the Piedmont of North Carolina, opened its second 18 holes in November of 2002. Keith Hills hosted the 1998 and 1999 North Carolina Senior Amateur and the Atlantic Sun Conference Men's Championship in 1999. The 2004 A-Sun Men's and Women's Golf Championships were also held at Keith Hills No. 1 and No. 2, while the 2007 A-Sun Women's Championship returned to Keith Hills No. 1.

Acknowledged as one of the top 50 in the southeast by Golfweek,Keith Hills is complemented by a 32-acre state-of-the-art practice facility. With an onsite snack bar, men's and ladies' locker rooms with showers, a well-stocked Pro Shop and friendly staff, Keith Hills was designed with the golfer in mind.

Conveniently situated between Raleigh and Fayetteville, it is accessible to all golfers in this area and along the East Coast. Located 12.5 miles north on 421 from I-95, Keith Hills is a great halfway point for travelers on their way to Myrtle Beach or Florida.