Watch GolfStayAndPlays.com’s in-depth tour of Payne’s Valley at Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri
There are certain resorts that are known by all in the golfing community. That kind of recognition indicates that this is the type of destination that delivers on all facets for what a golfer is looking for out of an elite destination.
The golf must be exceptional and memorable; the accommodations need to be comfortable and have a charm that is unique to the area and the service levels of the staff need to give you that feeling of being a part of the family.
Big Cedar Lodge located just outside of Branson, Missouri is one of those special destinations, and they have risen to the ranks of golf resort royalty at a remarkable pace. The resort has been loved by all who have visited for quite some time, and the latest additions of Ozarks National, an 18-hole Coore-Crenshaw design that embraces the natural look and feel of the area as well as Tiger Woods’ first public golf course design at Payne’s Valley, an ode to the great Payne Stewart that embodies breathtaking design features where every hole is mesmerizing, Big Cedar Lodge has now entered the world of golf resort royalty.
If you’re going to achieve this elite status, it takes having an owner who has a distinct vision, deep pockets in order to make that vision a reality and a passion for the project that is unbridled. You’d be hard-pressed to find somebody who embodies those qualities more than Big Cedar’s owner Johnny Morris.
Buffalo Ridge
One man’s passion becomes a reality
Johnny Morris’ story is one that is truly an inspiration that showcases what hard-work, grit and a commitment to doing it right can lead to success in America. Morris is the Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, a business that he started with 8 square feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store selling fishing tackle in 1972. Johnny came from a hard-working family where both of his parents loved to fish and hunt when they had spare time, and at a young age Johnny not only took on this shared passion with his parents but he also developed a sense of appreciation for nature and wildlife that would serve as the foundation of his life’s work.
When you combine that early passion that runs deep into his bones alongside a business savvy where a focus on the customer experience is always at the forefront of his vision, you get the perfect combination of a business that has taken over the recreational space all while maintaining a major focus on conservation. This has given Morris an unparalleled sense of growing the bottom line while doing what is right for the land. He’s a special person, and luckily for us golfers he’s brought that same passion to the development of Big Cedar Lodge.
When it came to Morris’ vision for Big Cedar Lodge, it included catering to everyone and focusing on how he could get people from all walks of life, no matter what your passion is, to get outside and enjoy the natural splendor that Mother Nature provides. The resort is literally a cornucopia of activities where guests can enjoy fishing, shooting, outdoor games, water sports, boat cruises, horseback riding, nature trails, cave tours, biking, nature excursions, and so much more. Literally, this place has it all and fortunately for us Mr. Morris has made a major investment into creating a world-class and special golf experience for us all to enjoy.
Top of the Rock
Golf at Big Cedar Lodge
Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, Tom Watson, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw…how about that for a list of designers for your property!? These are the men that Johnny Morris has partnered with to foster his vision for creating a memorable golf experience that not only features exceptional design, but that also incorporates the beauty of the Ozarks into your experience to leave a lasting impression for all who visit here.
The experience here has always been exceptional as long as we have been visiting here, but the resort really kicked things up a notch in recent years with the development of Ozarks National and Payne’s Valley, two 18-hole designs that have rounded out the golfing experience to truly make this a great golf destination. Before these courses arrived, the resort featured one 18-hole design with Buffalo Ridge alongside the iconic Top of the Rock 9-hole par-3 course and the incredibly fun stroll around the Mountain Top Course which is a 13-hole par-3 course. Both Top of the Rock and Mountain Top are among the best short course designs in the world, but the team at Big Cedar recognized that golfers who visited the resort were often craving the addition of more traditional 18-hole designs during their stay.
Not only did Morris and his team answer the call on this, but they brought in some of the biggest names in golf and design in order to make it exceptional.
Ozarks National was the first of the two new designs that was completed on property, and who better to lean on than the dynamic duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. These two have quickly risen to be one of, if not the, favorite designers by many golfers as they have an uncanny knack for creating visually stimulating courses that are very playable, but somehow still quite challenging.
Ozarks National is no exception to the rule here as this stunning design creates an experience that seamlessly blends each hole into the native areas while utilizing the natural contours of the terrain where each hole has a distinct feel. There are plenty of hazards found throughout your round, but the fairways are quite ample, and you’ll find yourself on several infinity greens that provide stunning views of the Ozarks that take your breath away.
Ozarks National
Payne’s Valley
Now it’s time to discuss the proverbial “cherry on top” of this golfing dynamo, Payne’s Valley. Payne’s Valley is the brainchild of the one and only Tiger Woods and his TGR Design team. This was Tiger’s first crack at a public access golf course, and to say that he and his team knocked it out of the park here is the definition of an understatement.
The course is big, bold, and features dramatic elevation changes, pristinely white bunkers, and a multitude of table-rock backdrops that are unique to this incredible piece of the Missouri countryside.
As if the original 18-holes weren’t enough to keep you happy, Mr. Morris joined in on the design fun and added the epic 19th hole known as the Big Rock at Payne’s Valley. Golfers tee off to an island green that sits underneath a massive table-rock wall that features a waterfall creating one of the most dramatic finishes of a round of golf that you will ever find.
The combination of these two incredible designs alongside the underrated Tom Fazio-designed Buffalo Ridge Golf Course has perfectly completed the golf experience at Big Cedar Lodge. And we also want to be very clear about one thing: the two short courses onsite are epic, and you should be sure to include a round on each of these on your itinerary. Top of the Rock is so good we often recommend playing it twice and making it its own 18-hole golf day during your visit, and Mountain Top is one of the coolest walks you’ll ever take on a short course as every single hole seems to offer a new take on an epic view of the Missouri landscape.
Payne’s Valley
Recommendation
There are so many great golf resorts around this country…and then there is a level just a bit above the rest where the experience is one that leaves you wanting for more the second you step foot off the property. Big Cedar Lodge is one of those special places. We love everything about this property, and it’s one of those rare destinations that every time we send somebody there, they tell us that it’s one of the best places that they’ve ever visited.
One thing to note about the property that you’ll find out once you start your stay-and-play planning process here is that there isn’t really a go-to stay-and-play package available. The reason for that is that the accommodations onsite are so unique that it’s tough to have a standard package rate. This isn’t a problem though as their team is extremely knowledgeable and can easily build you a perfectly customized package based on your group’s individual needs.
One great thing that the team at Big Cedar Lodge has recently added is the new Angler’s Lodge that gives golfers looking for a premium experience at a more affordable price an option that is perfect for many golf groups.
While for a few years it felt like Big Cedar Lodge was a destination that surprisingly many golfers were not aware of, that is no longer the case as the resort has exploded on the golf scene and so has golfer’s interest in trips here. If you’re looking to book a package here, get on it immediately! Inventory in 2022 is already starting to move quite rapidly so you should be sure to lock in your group’s plans as soon as possible and enjoy one of the truly special golf destinations in the United States.
Mountain Top