Golf and More at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson #GetOutdoors

Payne's Valley Golf Course, Big Cedar Lodge

Payne’s Valley Golf Course designed by Tiger Woods’ TGR Design. ©Big Cedar Lodge

New Tiger Woods Golf Course at Big Cedar Lodge

Golf at Big Cedar Lodge just got better, if that’s even possible! Big Cedar Lodge is proud to announce the opening of Payne’s Valley Golf Course on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 with the Payne’s Valley Cup, a Europe vs. U.S. match-up between American golfing greats Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas versus European standouts Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose. The Payne’s Valley Cup will serve as the official debut of Payne’s Valley, the first public-access course in the U.S. designed by Tiger Woods’ TGR Design.

**Due to COVID-19 concerns, no tickets will be sold however there will be limited invites for sponsors to be onsite for the event. Fans can follow the action worldwide by tuning-in to The Golf Channel, which will provide extensive coverage throughout the match. All four players will be mic’d up throughout the match so viewers won’t miss a beat. The opening ceremony will commemorate the life of Payne Stewart and will include Stewart’s wife Tracy and his children.

The continental matchup will be televised live on The Golf Channel from 3 – 7 p.m. ET, with immediate re-airs from 8 – Midnight ET and 1-5 a.m. ET the next day. An additional broadcast of the event will air on NBC Network December 26 and 27.

About Payne’s Valley Golf Course

The field is fitting for the venue, as Big Cedar Lodge has become a premier destination for golf by attracting some of the worlds’ leading course architects to create nature golf at the resort, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Tom Fazio, Gary Player, Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw, and now Tiger Woods.

Through the alliance between Tiger Woods and Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge, the 18-hole layout of Payne’s Valley, named in honor of golf legend Payne Stewart, an Ozarks native and a dear friend of both Morris and Woods, was created with the intent to foster a deeper connection to nature through the game of golf.

“The breathtaking beauty and pure majesty of my native Ozarks is something you have to see to believe. To be able to harness this unique landscape and make it come alive through our golf courses has been an honor that has been driven by passion.We look forward to showcasing this destination to the world through the Payne’s Valley Cup and truly believe we are creating “America’s Next Great Golf Destination.” {Johnny Morris}

Cathedral Cave and rock formations at Top of the Rock, Big Cedar Lodge, Branson, Missouri

Cathedral of Nature at Top of the Rock. ©Big Cedar Lodge

The course features an unforgettable par-3 and a 19th bonus hole designed by Johnny Morris to showcase the nature and beauty of the Ozarks. After completing the final hole, golfers depart the island green to journey along a breathtaking, cliff hanger nature trail and through a beautiful natural cave system to return to the clubhouse.

Payne’s Valley joins four existing and top-rated courses at the resort – Buffalo Ridge Springs (Tom Fazio), Ozarks National (Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw), Mountain Top (Gary Player), and Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus). Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge Springs claimed the top two spots in Golfweek’s 2020 annual rankings of the “Best Course You Can Play in Missouri.” Ozarks National also earned ranking as the Best New Course in Golf Digest.

Top of the Rock Legends of Golf golf tournament, Big Cedar Lodge

Top of the Rock Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course ©Big Cedar Lodge

Big Cedar Lodge has been considered ‘Home of the Legends,’ after hosting the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf from 2014 through 2019, which included some of golf’s biggest names such as Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, and many others. The Payne’s Valley Cup comes on the heels of PGA TOUR Champions events at Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge Springs featuring back-to-back 54-hole tournaments televised worldwide on The GOLF Channel.

Get Outdoors at Big Cedar Lodge!

To get the most out of your Branson vacation—get out of town! Just 10 miles south of Branson. Missouri, Big Cedar Lodge is like another world where nature abounds and the great outdoors calls to, not only golfers, but hikers, hunters, fishermen, and water sport enthusiasts alike. In fact, I would skip Branson and head straight to Big Cedar!

The array of outdoor attractions make it one of America’s premier wilderness resorts and a perfect place to social distance and spend time with family and friends during this global pandemic. Inspired by the majestic beauty of Table Rock Lake and the Ozark Mountains, Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, created a place for families to connect with nature while enjoying the many attractions Big Cedar Lodge has to offer.

Glorious sunset view from Top of the Rock at Big Cedar Lodge. ©Priscilla Willis

Top of the Rock at Big Cedar Lodge

Perched high above Table Rock Lake, Top of the Rock is a true celebration of nature and the Ozarks complete with world-class recreation and attractions, including the Lost Canyon Cave, Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, the recently formed Cathedral of Nature, legendary golf courses, destination dining, and breathtaking scenery.

View from the Buffalo Bar at Top of the Rock ©Priscilla Willis

Make a reservation at Osage Restaurant or Arnie’s Barn— the magnificent 150-year-old barn was relocated from Arnold Palmer’s backyard in Latrobe, PA, and is complete with historic photos and memorabilia from Palmer’s career achievements.

Hot toddy from the Buffalo Bar ©Priscilla Willis

Enjoy a drink after golf at the Buffalo Bar or savor some bites while waiting for the sunset celebration to begin. With the haunting notes of a bagpipe set against a stunning lake backdrop, I guarantee you’ve never celebrated a sunset like this before!

Native American statue, Top of the Rock, Big Cedar Lodge, Branson

Native American bronze at Top of the Rock ©Priscilla Willis

Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail

The Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail is a 2.5-mile ride in an electric cart showcasing stunning rock formations, beautiful views of Table Rock Lake, and waterfalls. Don’t forget to stop at the Bat Bar inside the cave for a refreshing beverage! When you arrive at Top of the Rock you can purchase an Adventure Pass and experience both Lost Canyon and the Ancient Ozark Natural History Museum. While visiting the museum will take you indoors, it is a must-see! The Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum houses one of the most significant collections of Native American artifacts in the world and showcases the geological history of the Ozarks as well as rare Civil War and American West relics.

Chapel at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park ©Priscilla Willis

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is an incredible 10,000-acre wilderness park that will leave you awestruck. Centered in the Ozarks region of southwest Missouri, 8 miles south of Branson, it is a stunning expression of Johnny Morris’s commitment to environmental conservation. The other-worldly natural beauty of the park includes towering bluffs, waterfalls (both natural and assisted), creek beds, hand-crafted wooden bridges, and wildlife such as bison, elk, and Texas longhorn cattle. Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is open to the public with a mission to conserve, preserve, and educate while revealing the wonders of the Ozarks to visitors from around the world.

There are 6.5 miles of paved trails for walking or biking along Indian Creek as it meanders through the canyon. Or take a two-hour tram ride that provides a narrated history, and possible shenanigans led by your guide, of the area and the opportunity to get up close and personal with a buffalo herd, Texas longhorn, and elk.

Little Indian Stables has 24 stalls and offers guests a chance to meet the horses before your 1-hour horseback riding adventure. They also offer a 2-1/2 hour Little Indian Lunch Ride for experienced wranglers desiring an extended experience.

About Big Cedar Lodge

Big Cedar Lodge is now one of the best and largest golf resorts, including the top three 18-hole courses in the state and two of the most acclaimed short courses in the world. Last September, Golf Magazine named Big Cedar Lodge, America’s premier wilderness resort, as the No. 1 family golf resort in North America in its Top 100 Resorts issue for 2019-2020. Underscoring a commitment to conservation, all courses at Big Cedar Lodge are designated as Audubon Sanctuaries. This aligns with Johnny Morris’s greater commitment to conservation and his recent acceptance of the prestigious Audubon Medal.