Payne Stewart Golf Club changes name

Branson Hills Golf Co. LLC, owners of the Payne Stewart Golf Club in Branson, changed the course’s name last week to Branson Hills Golf Club.

The move was made following the expiration of a 10-year licensing agreement with Payne Stewart Enterprises that was secured during the golf course’s construction.

“While we have mutually agreed with the course ownership to allow the affiliation to end with the expiration of our licensing agreement, we are glad that the course has provided Missouri residents and visitors with a first class golf experience, while honoring Missouri native Payne Stewart’s legacy,” said an unnamed Payne Stewart Enterprises spokesperson in a June 12 news release.

Golfweek Magazine has selected the golf course as the top-rated course in the state of Missouri for four consecutive years, according to the release.

Branson Hills Golf Co. is an affiliate of Branson-based development firm HCW LLC. HCW, which developed the Branson Landing, has a national reach with offices in Phoenix and Wichita, Kan.

HCW CEO Rick Huffman, who declined to say how much renewing naming rights would cost, said changing the name was a financial decision.

“We’ve got some new signage up, and over the next 45 days, the rest of the signs would be installed,” he said, adding sign changes would be less expensive than maintaining the naming rights.

He said the golf course was due for a few improvements, and with new signs included, HCW would spend about $250,000 on upgrades.

“The back patio is a beautiful area, but it’s awfully hot. It faces west, so a bunch of sun shades are going in, and a new fire pit is being installed. And we’re pouring some concrete on the course; we’re replacing some cart paths and adding some new turnarounds. We’re also making some minor changes to water features and painting all the bridges,” Huffman said. “We’re going to spiff it up a little bit.”