By Jerrica Flynn
Nestled in Pulaski County ' s southern stretch of Lake Cumberland is a bona fide island and hub for outdoor activities all summer long.
General Burnside Island State Park, the only island in the Kentucky State Park ' s system, offers over one hundred camping sites, multiple picnicking areas, a boat launching ramp, and, most notably, a renowned golf course open for public play.
Overseeing the operations for the Island is park manager Greg Blevins; 2025 marks 22 years since Greg began his career with Kentucky State Parks, rising from Golf Course Superintendent to the top spot on the Island ' s management team.
With over 430 acres of total Island property to manage, the stretch of golf-designated land occupies much of the maintenance workload during the year. Blevins and his team prove a commitment to excellence when developing new additions to the course or redesigning older fixtures, all of which are carefully selected for golfers ' delights.
" General Burnside Island State Park Golf Course is an 18-hole golf facility with a driving range and practice facility," said Blevins. " The golf course is 6,400 yards and features Zoysia grass fairways, Bermuda grass, and Bentgrass greens, along with 50 bunkers that have been recently renovated, and 2 water features."
The sprawling greens have racked up numerous statewide awards over the years for their quality and level of difficulty, which motivate guests to visit time and time again. Blevins beams with pride when reflecting over the course ' s history of high accolades.
In 2009,( General Burnside Island State Park Golf Course) received the first place Commonwealth Journal Reader ' s Choice Award as the ' Best Place to Play Golf.' Additionally, this golf course was honored in Kentucky Living Magazine ' s 2016 Reader ' s Choice Awards, earning a place in the Hall of Fame for golf courses and securing the top position as the best public golf course in Kentucky for three consecutive years.
Given his time on the grounds and degree in Turf Management and Business, Blevins is very familiar with the amount of effort it takes to get the course ready for use in the early spring.
" It takes a lot of hard work,
Rolling Hills of Burnside Island ' s Golf Course. Submitted photo
JULY 2025 SEKY- Southeast Kentucky Life • 11