Branson, Missouri - Golf's Best Kept Secret Or Golf's Hottest Destination? [Forbes]

[nevets88]

I think I saw a photo of the golf range in social media somewhere during the senior tour event of one of the courses in Missouri in this piece. Looks like a good place to go golfing and fishing.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2015/05/01/golfs-best-kept-secret-or-golfs-hottest-destination/print/

Quote:

Between Payne Stewart GC, Ledgestone, Buffalo Springs and the charming walking-only Top of the Rock, there is enough great Branson golf for a full trip, plus all the other outdoor activities, fishing, sights, attractions and entertainment. But there are several more courses, including Pointe Royale, Thousand Hills, Holiday Hills Golf Club and Don Gardner Golf Course. It is all fairly easy to get to through the Springfield, MO airport (Delta, United, American) and rumor has it that one of the nation’s largest carriers will soon start flying right into Branson’s existing airport, even closer. Several courses offer stay and play packages, most notably Big Cedar Resort and Payne Stewart Golf Course, which has 2-4 bedroom villas that are great for groups, couples or foursomes.

[k-troop]

Branson Creek and Murder Rock also. Big Cedar is a great place. Branson is no longer the place you think it is.

[SeenRed]

I've played both those courses...beautiful courses, and very challenging! I hear that Branson Creek is under new ownership, has undergone renovations, and is now called Buffalo Ridge. And sadly, I understand that Murder Rock was purchased and closed by the same ownership. They announced a new course will be designed and built by Ben Crenshaw that will incorporate some of the holes of the old Murder Rock layout. Don't know if they have named the new course yet, but I heard it will be a part of the Buffalo Ridge property.

[k-troop]

Interesting--I didn't know Morris bought both Branson Creek and Murder Rock (now called Buffalo Ridge Springs and Players courses). Murder Rock had a really cool flagstone out front with the names of founding members--a testament to legends of country music. Aside from the mega-price tag likely to accompany the new courses, I'm sure they'll be an excellent improvement. Branson Creek is a great layout but had no clubhouse and spotty maintenance. Murder Rock had an impressive clubhouse and great layout in even worse condition. As to the new course, Coore & Crenshaw are an excellent design team. I've played 3 or 4 of their courses and been impressed with all. Additionally, Springfield (25 min drive north of the Buffalo Ridge facility) has River Cut GC, an excellent muni that boasts a junior golf academy. Highland Springs CC is another great (private) course that hosts a Web.com Tour event. My wife's folks live on a small, old-school style club in Nixa, between Springfield and Branson, so I've played all of these a few times. Branson really is a great and inexpensive golf destination. It's easily driveable, probably less than 7 hours for anyone in OK, north Texas, Arkansas, and anything west of the Indianapolis, Louisville, and Nashville stretch of IH-65. Would be an excellent destination for a 3-day guys golf trip.

[kpaulhus]

I'll need to check it out. I've heard cool things about big cedar, but also have heard top of the rock is a par 3 course that they charge $150 for!?!?