Golf Digest names Payne's Valley 'Best New Public Course in North America'
Payne's Valley is entering the new year with a new accolade.
Golf Digest, a monthly golf magazine published by Discovery, Inc. covering recreational and competitive golf, has named Big Cedar Lodge's fifth course, Payne's Valley, as the 2021 Best New Public Course in North America.
Nearly five years ago, Tiger Woods worked with Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris on the future design for the 19th hole at Payne's Valley — Woods' first public golf course.
The course, named in honor of golf legend and Ozarkian Payne Stewart, includes a breathtaking view with a number of waterfalls and a cave. The first 18 holes of Payne's Valley add to the "Nature Golf" concept.
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"The walkable course is challenging yet player friendly," according to Big Cedar Lodge. "The experience is highlighted by a one-of-a-kind, mile-long finish that transports players through a breathtaking natural, spring-fed cavern system, over bridges that span 250-foot cliff faces and through ancient waterfalls. The experience from the first tee to the clubhouse spans not just an incredible golf course, but a journey through natural beauty."
The new course is "everything we dreamed of," Morris said in a news release from Big Cedar Lodge.
“We are honored to have received this ranking from Golf Digest, one of the oldest and most respected golf publications in the sport,” said Morris. “We are proud and very grateful to Tiger for what he and his remarkably talented team helped us create here at Payne’s Valley, we are humbled to see that so many others feel the same.”
This latest title means Payne's Valley joins Big Cedar's other top-rated courses, including Buffalo Ridge Springs, Ozarks National, Mountain Top and Top of the Rock. Ozarks National and Buffalo Ridge Springs were named in Golfweek’s 2020 annual rankings of the “Best Course You Can Play in Missouri.”
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The award for Payne’s Valley is the second time that Golf Digest has recognized a Big Cedar course with Best New Course in North America. Ozarks National was recognized as Golf Digest’s Best New Public Course of 2019.
For information, visit bigcedar.com/golf.
Sports Reporter Wyatt Wheeler Contributed to this report.
Sara Karnes is an Outdoors Reporter with the Springfield News-Leader. Follow along with her adventures on Twitter and Instagram @Sara_Karnes. Got a story to tell? Email her at skarnes@springfi.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Payne's Valley golf course earns high honor from Golf Digest
