The Missouri Golf Association recently asked members to name the best golf courses in the state. Voted the number-one course, with nearly 60 percent of the votes cast, was The Club at Porto Cima in Sunrise Beach at the Lake of the Ozarks, owned by Four Seasons Group which also owns The Lodge of Four Seasons.  It ranked ahead of Branson Creek Golf Course in Hollister, Dalhousie Golf Club in Cape Girardeau and Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.  Two other Lake-area courses also were listed among the top 25: The Club at Old Kinderhook in Camdenton came in fifth, and Osage National Golf Resort was ranked 20th.

The only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Missouri, The Club at Porto Cima opened in 2000 and was immediately recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top private courses in the U.S. The front nine holes are cut out of a thick oak forest and play through undulating terrain with a number of elevation changes and uneven lies, so club selection is a priority. The back nine holes open up and have much gentler elevation changes with five holes playing along the Lake. The signature hole, #15 (see photo above), is a stunning par 5 with a gradual descent to a peninsula green with a panoramic Lake view. 

Said Jack Nicklaus about this remarkable course, "On a scale of 1 to 10, this is as close to a 10 if there ever was a 10."

Jon M. Crane, director of golf at Porto Cima, said, "Every course enjoys recognition and we are particularly honored that this acknowledgement comes from the most dedicated golfers in Missouri."

Noted Scott Hovis, executive director of the Missouri Golf Association, "Porto Cima is one of the many great golf courses at the Lake of the Ozarks. Golfers enjoy the opportunity to play Missouri Golf Association championships at Porto Cima each year."

The amazing Liverpool Legends, the ultimate Beatles experience, will return for the third year to the Main Street Music Hall in Osage Beach,, 8 p.m., Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5, announced Jim Divincen, director of the Tri-County Lodging Association, event sponsor.

The late George Harrison's sister, Louise Harrison, personally selected the four talented musicians who look, play and sound just like John, Paul, George and Ringo.  She loves taking audience questions and meeting fans during intermission and after the show.

When they're not performing at the Mansion Theatre in Branson, where they have been voted Best Band and Best  Show numerous times, Liverpool Legends astound audiences all over the world.  

"We are so thrilled that Liverpool Legends will perform at the Lake of the Ozarks again," says Divincen.  "You simply have to see this group in person to believe their incredible talent.  They have the entire audience dancing in the aisles at every show, from little kids to Baby Boomers-plus!"

Tickets will be $25 for adults, $20 for children 12 or younger and $30 for premium seating, and may be purchased at the Lake of the Ozarks Convention & Visitor Bureau, 5815 Highway 54, or call 800 FUN LAKE or (573) 348-1599.  Several lodging properties will offer special rates for this exciting event. www.funlake.com

Motorists at the Lake of the Ozarks are experiencing a new traffic configuration on U.S. Route 54 from Lake Ozark to Camdenton.  Opened on Sept. 20, 2010 with a gala ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Route 54 Expressway already has improved traffic flow and safety.  The smooth new four-lane divided highway begins near Business Route 54 (Bagnell Dam Boulevard); it's called the Osage Beach Parkway as it travels toward the Grand Glaize Bridge. Construction from that point to west of Route KK in Camden County will be completed later this year. Six interchanges will provide access between Route 54 and the new Expressway.  The completed 8-mile project will cost $158 million.

"The new Route 54 Expressway gets you where you want to go faster and safer," says Bob Lynch, MoDOT Area Engineer.  "Safety will be tremendously improved which offers huge cost savings.  In addition, over time it will help economic development for the area."

Fun is on the agenda at the Lake of the Ozarks. Make plans now to check out these annual events:

* Feb. 26-27...10th Annual Home & Garden Expo, The Lodge of Four Seasons Expo Hall, Lake Ozark. Buying, building or remodeling, or if you just want to know what's new, don't miss this exciting expo! Free admission. (573) 964-1008, Lake Area Chamber

* Mar. 5...Lake West Business Expo, Lake West Christian Academy, Sunrise Beach.  Meet area business owners--from barge and dock service to banks, restaurants to outdoors outfitters, resorts to golf courses! Free admission.  (573) 374-5500, Lake West Chamber

* Mar. 12...20th Annual St. Pat's Parade On The Water, Ozark Bar-B-Que, Sunrise Beach.  Watch the fleet or join the party as dozens of colorfully decorated boats cruise the Gravois Arm of the Lake.  (573) 374-5500, Lake West Chamber

* Mar. 19-20...32nd Annual Products & Services Show, Country Club Hotel, Lake Ozark.  The largest show of its kind in Central Missouri features nearly 200 booths of all types of businesses, including home improvement, computers and electronics, financial services, boats and marine supplies, building supplies, schools and much more. Free admission.  The Country Club Hotel will offer special Product Show lodging rates. (800) 769-1004, Camdenton Area Chamber of Commerce

A carnival is just one of the many attractions at the Dogwood Festival.

* Apr. 14-17...61st Annual Dogwood Festival, Camdenton..."Lovin' the Lake" is this year's theme and you'll find out why at this "great granddaddy" of Lake-area festivals, complete with a parade, pageants, entertainment, arts and crafts, fabulous food and a carnival. (800) 769-1004, Camdenton Area Chamber of Commerce

* Apr. 17...3rd Annual Lake Taste Challenge, Inn at Grand Glaize, Osage Beach. Sample appetizers, soup, salad, entrees and desserts from an array of Lake-area restaurants--vote for your favorites too! $10 adults, $4 age 5-11, 4 and under free.  (573) 964-1008, Lake Area Chamber of Commerce

* Apr. 29-May 1...23rd Annual Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals, Historic Bagnell Dam Strip.  This awesome show features more than 1,000 cars, trucks, and motorcycles of all makes, models and years, displayed up and down the historic Bagnell Dam Strip--you'll think you stepped into the set of "American Grafitti." Enjoy the ambiance, entertainment and excitement of this unique event. (573) 964-1008, Lake Area Chamber of Commerce