Destination shines in ‘Golfweek’s Best’ annual rankings
BRANSON, Missouri – Golfweek recently released its annual “Best Courses by State” compilation and Ozarks National, Buffalo Ridge, Payne’s Valley, and Branson Hills ranked as Missouri’s top four courses in that order. A fifth Branson Golf destination course, LedgeStone, is Missouri’s No. 7 rated layout.
“Branson Hills Golf Club takes great pride in being one of the top-ranked courses, in an area which is rapidly growing into one of the best golf destinations in the nation,” said Branson Hills Director of Golf, Dan Davis, PGA. “Visitors are coming from all parts of the country and the world and are usually pleasantly surprised at the quality of golf which is offered here.”
To determine Golfweek’s Best rankings, the media outlet’s course-ratings panel continually evaluate courses and rate them using 10 criteria on a 10-point scale. The raters also file a single, overall rating on each course. Those overall ratings are averaged to produce a cumulative rating for each, which is then ranked against other layouts.
Ozarks National (Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw course design), Buffalo Ridge (Tom Fazio and Johnny Morris), and Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods and Beau Welling) are Big Cedar Golf 18-hole courses, and they radiate the same rustic elegance vibe that resonates at any place owned and operated by Big Cedar Lodge and Bass Pro Shops Founder, Johnny Morris.
Branson Hills (Chuck Smith-Bobby Clampett) was the No. 1 ranked course in Missouri by Golfweek for many years, until Big Cedar’s 18-holers were built. Yet and still, those three are top ranked nationally by multiple media outlets, including being listed as Top 100 public access courses in America; meaning Branson Hills could well belong in that elite echelon, too.
“Branson draws visitors for our lakes, live entertainment theatres, family friendly venues, and many more attractions,” said Samantha Gutting, Explore Branson, Senior Vice President & Chief Sales Officer. “They are increasingly coming for golf thanks to wonderful courses winning brand-building awards.”
Branson’s five other courses are Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus design), Mountain Top (Gary Player), Thousand Hills (Bob Cupp), The Pointe, and Holiday Hills.
Thousand Hills has often earned “favorite course” status among area golfers, while The Pointe and Holiday Hills provide additional popular playing options. Top of the Rock and Mountain Top are Big Cedar’s award-winning par-3 courses, a welcome addition in golf trips where players complement 18 holes in the morning with afternoon “short course” rounds.
All 10 courses in the destination are located near one another as well as hundreds of restaurants, scores of lodging options, and after-golf things to see and do. Branson is the No. 3 rated tourism destination in America according to Trip Advisor.
For more information about Branson Golf, visit www.explorebranson.com/golf, Instagram (@ExploreBransonGolf) or Facebook (@BransonGolf).
