Branson courses provide blend of golf, scenery

by Justin McMillin

SBJ Contributing Writer

sbj@sbj.net

The Branson area has long been one of Missouri's foremost vacation destinations, but several newer golf courses have brought an influx of tourists to the town.

The mix of musical and magical nightlife, combined with the course eccentricities only the Ozark Mountains can provide, makes Branson the perfect place for family outings, business retreats or to put potential business partners in just the right humor to close the deal.

The area, highlighted by nationally recognized Branson Creek Golf Club, is definitely a place that golfers should visit.

"The economy is a big reason for the boom in Branson golf," said Monte Schisler of Troon Golf, who is in charge of tournaments and group services at Branson Creek. "Businesses and tourists alike are realizing that they are able to spend more on golf and entertainment in Branson because their travel costs are limited because we are in within driving distance.

"And word is getting out in the corporate (world) that we have great golf courses and lodging in this area."

Branson Creek Golf Club

(www.bransoncreekgolf.com)

With so many business deals being brokered on golf courses, Missouri's must-see venue for businesspeople is Branson Creek Golf Club. Since the course opened in 1999, it has been named the No. 1 public course in Missouri the past four years by Golf Digest.

Branson Creek offers five sets of tees for all levels of golfers and is 7,036 yards from the back tee, long enough to challenge even the most talented of players.

Designed by renowned course architect Tom Fazio, the course was also listed as No. 66 on Golf Digest's list of Top 100 Public Courses in America.

Tee times must be placed 30 days in advance and proper golf attire is required. Clubs and shoes can be rented at the site and private and group lessons are available from a staff of PGA teaching professionals. Amenities include the region's largest practice facility with a driving range, practice bunkers, chipping area and two putting greens.

On the course, elevated tees give breathtaking views of the Ozarks scenery, and the course's toughest-rated hole is the 471-yard par-4 second hole. Zoysia-grass fairways and very quick bentgrass greens make for one of the best golf experiences in the country.

The course plays host to two tournaments for the Price Cutter Charity Championship the Silver Dollar City pro-am and the Energy and Education pro-am Aug. 10.

Other tournaments slated at Branson Creek are the SMSU Lady Bear Invitational on Aug. 29 and the Stan Musial Hall of Fame Tournament Sept. 12-13.

Branson Creek is located off Highway 65 at Branson Creek Drive, 4.2 miles south of Highway 76.

Ledgestone Country Club

(www.ledgestonegolf.com)

Ledgestone Country Club is part of the 3,700-acre development at StoneBridge Village, with some of the area's nicest homes that highlight the natural landscape.

Golf Digest named the course one of the "Best New Private" courses in 1995 and the semi-private resort course was labeled a "masterpiece of mountain golf architecture" by the same magazine.

Course architect Tom Clark incorporated water on 10 holes and bunkers surround the quick bentgrass greens on the 6,754-yard layout. The fairways are zoysia and very narrow with lots of undulating terrain and dense forests and several improvements were made (enlarging tee boxes, restructuring water hazards and fairways) last year in keeping with the club's tradition of keeping the course extremely well-conditioned.

The toughest hole at Ledgestone is No. 17, a par-3 that requires a tee shot over a 4 1/2-acre lake to a peninsula green.

Adding to the experience is a wide range of amenities the club offers. Besides golfing amenities like a driving range, putting green and short game/bunker practice areas, Ledgestone also has a newly-remodeled restaurant, banquet and meeting rooms, swimming pools and tennis courts.

To get to Ledgestone Country Club, take Highway 76 toward Silver Dollar City and turn right on Highway 265 to StoneBridge Village.

Pointe Royale Golf Course

(www.pointeroyale.com)

Pointe Royale Condominium Resort and Golf Course is home to several of Branson's country music stars and continues to be the original championship course in the Branson area.

With water on eight holes and both sand and grass bunkers, Pointe Royale is still one of the best golfing challenges in the Ozarks. Designed by Ault-Clark and Associates, the course features lush bentgrass greens and narrow, tree-lined Bermuda fairways.

The 6,167-yard, par-70 course makes golfers focus on club selection and strategy to survive the rolling fairways and tall trees that highlight the course. After a round, enjoy the 19th Hole Lounge and Grill where some of Branson's biggest celebrities are often seen taking in the atmosphere.

The resort offers lodging in 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom condominiums below the bluffs of Lake Taneycomo, along with swimming, tennis and trout fishing. Golf and other vacation packages are available.

To get to Pointe Royale, take Highway 65 south to Highway 76 west. From there, take Highway 76 to Highway 165 and go south three miles to the course.

Holiday Hills Golf Course

(www.holidayhills.com)

Originally built in 1938, this course was completely revamped in 1997 to rave reviews. Holiday Hills is a resort/public course designed by Golfscapes and takes tee times up to 30 days in advance.

The course advertises a "user-friendly" layout that accommodates both the low- and high-handicap golfers. Wide-open fairways and large greens entice the nonprofessional golfer to have an enjoyable, successful round of golf.

Gorgeous landscaping with waterfalls, lakes, creeks and massive trees border Bermuda fairways on this 5,771-yard, par-68 course. The resort offers 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom condominiums for nightly rentals and several stay-and-play packages.

From downtown Branson, take Business 65 across Lake Taneycomo to the red light and turn left on Highway 76 East. The resort and golf course sit approximately three miles ahead on the right.

Thousand Hills

(www.thousandhills.com)

This 18-hole layout is a short course (5,111 yards) with several par-3 holes and is a par 64. Tee times are taken 60 days in advance and the pro shop rents clubs to travelers.

Thousand Hills was voted Best of the Ozarks in 2000 by Springfield News-Leader and was given 3 1/2 stars by Golf Digest's 2000-2001 Places to Play list.

On site are 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom condos with swimming pools and tennis courts. Meeting and banquet facilities are available. The courses also has a practice putting green and snack bar, and offers private and group lessons by appointment. Zoysia fairways and bentgrass greens provide all the expectations of a top-flight championship course.

Top of the Rock

(www.bigcedarlodge.com)

For those without the time for an 18-hole round of golf, Branson also offers this nine-hole track at Big Cedar Lodge. The resort course was designed by famed golfer and golf architect Jack Nicklaus and is one of only 11 courses in the nation to be recognized as an Audubon Signature Cooperative Sanctuary Program course.

All nine holes are par 3s, stretched out over 1,330 yards from the back tees. Its views are spectacular, perched majestically above Table Rock Lake.

Amenities include a putting green, short game and bunker practice area, a restaurant, banquet rooms and locker rooms.