Review: How does Top of the Rock stack up?

What makes the perfect golf trip? According to leading golf course reviewer Golf Advisor, it’s all about location, location, location.

Top of the Rock has that in spades.

Playing host this week to its second Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge tournament, the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, Tom Waston-designed, Himalayan-modeled putting course and Arnold Palmer-designed practice area are set against a quintessential Ozarks backdrop, complete with a view of Table Rock Lake.

In anticipation of the tournament, a handful of local businessmen reviewed the course for Springfield Business Journal weighing in on difficulty, price and amenities. All agreed the nine-hole, par-3 course could be the most beautiful they have ever played, but reasons varied from golfer to golfer.

Gearing up for the PGA pros, Tournament Director Kirk Elmquist said course officials have made three slight adjustments this year, including additional parking, increased communication through a free smartphone app and expanded customer service in “Ask Me” representatives throughout the venue.

“They will wear a bib that says ‘Ask Me’ and you can ask them anything from where is Jack Nicklaus teeing off right now to the closest place to get a cold beer or the best pork sandwich,” he said.

Golfers are preparing for the April 22-26 tournament, which last year brought in nearly 14,000 attendees with estimated economic impact of $3.46 million.

Before PGA pros take to the greens, a handful of local businessmen reviewed the Top of the Rock course for Springfield Business Journal. Below are their observations:

How many times have you played the course?
Chuck Greene: Since it first opened, I have played Top of the Rock approximately 20 times and half a dozen times or so since it reopened.
Jack Thurman: Twice.
Geoffrey Butler: Well, I am a big supporter, but I don’t play golf. At least what I do – or did – cannot be considered golf. I played Top of the Rock only once many years ago before it was revamped. Last year, I did walk the course during the Legends event and it has been transformed from a beautiful course to a spectacular course.

Most challenging hole and why?
Greene: Hard to say. Each is challenging, but if I had to pick, I would say No. 4. The water is in play, it is a long iron shot for me and the green is difficult.
Thurman: No. 9, due to it being surrounded by bunkers and a very distracting view.

Most exciting hole and why?
Greene: No. 6, because of its island green.
Thurman: No. 6, it is an island green like No. 17 at (Tournament Players Club) Sawgrass [in Florida].”   
    
Hole with the best view?
Greene: There are so many beautiful views, nearly from every hole. If I have to choose, I would say the opening hole, No. 1, as it is the highest point and overlooks the driving range, the course and the lake.
Thurman: Very easy – No. 9. It has a picture postcard view of Table Rock.

Best water feature?
Greene: The water feature of the island green hole – No. 6 – is magnificent.
Thurman: Nos. 6 and 7 that share a large water hazard.

Hole with the best green?
Greene: Every green is challenging and undulating, making putting an adventure, but the No. 1 green sticks out to me as one of the most difficult.
Thurman:  All of them are undulating and challenging.

Have you hit a birdie on a hole?
Greene: I have – mostly due to luck – birdied every hole with the exception of holes Nos. 1 and 4.
Thurman: Lucky to hit a double bogey with my swing!

Have you ever bogeyed a hole?
Greene: Yes, I have made bogey – or worse – on every hole.

At $135 per play, is the course worth the higher price tag?
Greene: Absolutely, there is no other golf course or facility of its kind in the world … Plus, the cave tour is included in the price, I believe, which is beyond words and you have access to the Tom Watson-designed Himalayas putting course and the Arnold Palmer-designed driving range, which is the best driving range I have ever seen.
Thurman: Absolutely. Great design, amazing views and a hoot to play.
Butler: In my humble opinion, $135 a hole for an experience like that is not bad. We were out in Carmel (Calif.) a few years back and at that time a round at Carmel was $300 plus the cart – if you could get a tee time. I think that you will find that the market for Top of the Rock is not the weekend duffer and his beer-drinking buddies. It is a destination golf facility and people will come from far and wide to play and experience it. Just like Bass Pro, it is the experience that people seek. They can get the lures, rods and reels, shirts, shoes, etc., just about anywhere. But to be able to go and be immersed in the atmosphere of a Bass Pro and then get what you want is the key. Johnny calls it “Shoppertainment.”
Bobby Allison: Well worth $135.

Best time of day or year to play the course?
Greene: Sunset golf on the course is incredible. I also enjoy early morning golf there. Regarding the time of year, I think fall is the best when all of the leaves have turned. It is so beautiful. Of course, spring also is great because of all the budding trees and flowers. Summer is pretty great with sunny days and the lake views. This past February, I took my youngest daughter to the driving range and we enjoyed some winter golf.
Thurman: October sunset or spring a.m. I have even played it in the rain and had a great time.

To you, what makes the course unique?
Greene: it is the only nine-hole, par 3 course in the world designed by Jack Nicklaus and when coupled with the putting course, the driving range, the cave tour, the magnificent clubhouse and wonderful menu, there is no equal.
Thurman: Obviously, it is only a nine-hole, par 3 course; however, you think you’re at some championship-sized golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus and the Audubon Society. It is off-the-charts beautiful and challenging.
Butler: It starts at the gate and the shuttle to the clubhouse through the property, which is pretty exciting by itself, a special sensory experience. The shuttle takes you to the front door and you go into the clubhouse and start the experience. No vast parking lots and a hike to the door.

How does this course compare to others you’ve played in the area?
Greene: Due to the all of the "extras" described above, there really is no comparison to any other golfing destination in the area. It truly is one of a kind.
Thurman: The local country clubs have great courses, yet TOTR is world class.

Have you visited other attractions at Top of the Rock, such as the Lost Canyon Cave or history museum?
Greene: Yes, I have. The museum exhibits are incredible and an attraction in and of themselves.
Thurman: Yes both. The cave is a really neat feature that is done the Johnny Morris way. The museum is something that you can’t describe. If you love museums, like the Field Museum in Chicago, you will love this. It has artifacts from Geronimo, President Teddy Roosevelt and Sitting Bull that only Mr. Morris could have acquired. I have been in the museum twice in the last year and I have yet to spend enough time there.
Butler: We got a preview of the Lost Canyon before it opened and were blown away. Initially, we were told that Johnny wanted to have everyone take the Lost Canyon tour on the way to the clubhouse but the logistics of that many golf carts and the half-hour trip made that impractical. Now, even with the charge for the tour, it is just an extra special part of the experience.
Allison: The cave is breathtaking.

How do you rate the clubhouse?
Greene: The clubhouse is amazing and beyond description. I love all of the different and unique areas, including the wine cellar, Arnie's Barn, the fireplaces, woodwork, mounts and, of course, the views. The chapel is gorgeous as well. As a golfer, outdoorsman and nature enthusiast, I am very grateful that Johnny Morris has created this truly one of a kind destination in our little piece of the world.
Thurman: Very good.
Butler: The clubhouse is designed for more than just golfers and he intended for it to be a place for everyone to go and get close to the golf even if they don’t golf. The museum element is unique, the dining options and experience add to that. Both are world class.
Allison: Unbelievable.[[In-content Ad]]