A Legend in the Ozarks
Set within the limestone laden foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Payne’s Valley Course at Big Cedar Lodge has been open for less than a year, but it already weaves together a story of legendary proportions. Created by one of the most impressive names in golf as an homage another of the sport’s most impressive names, the Payne’s Valley Course was easily one of the most anticipated openings of the decade.
The Payne’s Valley Course at Big Cedar Lodge is the first public-access golf course designed by 82-time PGA Tour winner Tiger Woods—in collaboration with Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops—and his golf course design firm, TGR Design. The course takes its name from World Golf Hall of Famer and Ozarks native, the late Payne Stewart, who was known equally as well for his stylish dress as he was for his stylish swing. Stewart was often seen sporting a throwback outfit of plus-fours and a Tam O’Shanter-type hat, and the course that now bears his name is no different in its striking appearance.
Payne’s Valley is eye catching, flowing through a valley of dynamited and naturally rising limestone rock formations with towering hickory, white oak, and sycamore trees shading the background in a wash of seasonally changing colors. Ivory white bunkers contrast with verdant fairways and with the cool blues that are seen in the numerous water features and manmade waterfalls throughout the course.
Woods designed the course to wind up, down, and, more importantly, out, with fairways wide enough to accommodate children and family members without fear of losing the ball. Much of the course’s intentional design was modeled after Woods’ experience playing and touring with Stewart. The two shared locker rooms while participating in the 1997 Ryder Cup in Spain. It was Woods’ first Ryder Cup, and Stewart made sure the experience was memorable for him.
“Payne hazed the living s--- out of me,” Woods recalled with laughter during his speech at the opening of the golf course in 2020. “My shoes were always screwed up and when I retaliated, it got worse. But that was the beauty of Payne. He was a jokester at heart and a man who cared and competed and one of deep faith.”
In Payne’s honor, the course is rhythmic, memorable and just plain fun, but it’s not without its challenges. The experience begins long before arriving at the first tee, where a 300-million-year-old carved through rock formation acts as the gateway from the practice green to the start of the course. It’s at this point when players have the choice on how challenging of a round they are up for playing, as the course can range from 4,957 yards to 7,370 yards depending upon which of the four tee boxes is selected—the latter being dubbed the “Tiger tees” for obvious reasons.
The first two holes are generous, with a downhill slope guiding the game in the right direction, where players will begin to notice the impact of the carefully selected Zoysia grass used on the fairways and the forgivingly fast bentgrass greens. The thick Zoysia grass props the ball perfectly for play while the bentgrass greens minimize bouncing and keep the ball tight on the ground. Two of the par-4s of the front nine are drivable given ideal conditions, but things begin to pick up in intensity with the back nine. Holes 13 and 15 slope upwards, and on a windy day make for a tricky shot uphill. Although the climax of this course would normally be the par-5 18th—where large ponds and boulders keep things interesting—it’s the par-3 19th hole that many strive to tackle. Designed by Johnny Morris, the founder of Big Cedar Lodge and Bass Pro Shops, the 19th hole—a.k.a. “The Big Rock at Payne’s Valley”—stretches to 140 yards at its longest, where an island green seemingly floats at the base of a 150-foot-tall rock formation and waterfall. Intended for settling bets and proving chops, Morris’ hole is a dramatic end to a showstopping round of golf. The hole also offers its own bragging rights for golfers able to master the hole-in-one challenge in front of an audience of on-lookers in the clubhouse above.
The mile-long cart path, known now as “Cliffhanger Trail,” near the hole is even worth noting, where scenic switchbacks cross the terraced limestone layers and creep in and out of caverns before arriving back at the clubhouse at the top of the cliff, where the views sweep the entire valley. The clubhouse acts as the meeting point for two of Big Cedar Lodge’s golf courses, the Mountain Top Course and Payne’s Valley Course, and is home to the Mountain Top Grill. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide stunning views across the valley, with balconies and verandas offering even more sweeping views of the courses below.
The lodge-like ambiance sets the perfect setting for a post-play cocktail or celebration meal, where a grand fireplace heats things up during cooler days in the Ozarks. The menu features southern staples like BBQ nachos, Burnt Ends and Hickory Smoked Chicken all made with Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que recipes. Meals are served with a corn bread muffin and a choice of sides that range from stick-to-your-ribs mac and cheese to fresh-steamed broccoli or grilled pineapple steaks. The ultimate after-play indulgence is found on the clubhouse’s dessert menu, where options include Dave’s Award-Winning Bread Pudding, Dave’s Award-Winning Pecan Pie, and Dave’s Famous Sundae. Adult indulgences are in the form of a Mountain Top Signature Cocktail, like the clubhouse Smoked Old Fashioned or the Black & Blue Mule made with fresh blueberry puree, ginger beer, Bacardi, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and garnished with blackberries. The drink menu also includes a range of premium wines and local and imported beers.
Payne’s Valley is the newest addition to Big Cedar Lodge’s already impressive lineup of courses, including Ozarks National designed by Coore & Crenshaw, Mountain Top designed by Gary Player, Buffalo Ridge Springs, and Top of the Rock. Each course on the property offers its own premier golf experience, ranging from a 9-hole par-3 course to a 13-hole par-3 short course, but all play an important role in turning Big Cedar Lodge into what is quickly becoming known as America’s Next Great Golf Destination.
The lodge grounds span 4,600 acres throughout Missouri’s Ozark Mountains, overlooking the famous Table Rock Lake. There are no less than 317 private accommodation options throughout the expansive property, ranging from grand lodges and cozy cottages to private log cabins and luxurious rental homes. The lodge is a destination in itself, where two full-service marinas keep family’s engaged with guided fishing trips, boating excursions, and more. The 18,000-square-foot Cedar Creek Spa offers treatments customized for men and women, including hot and cold therapy to help sooth sore feet from time on the greens, and the experience culminates with an indoor grotto pool and underwater lounge with full-body massage jets and secluded coves.
The legend of Payne’s Valley may have just begun to unfold, but there’s no doubt that this celebrated course will continue to delight and thrill golfers in the same manner that the legendary men behind the course have always done for the game of golf.
For more information, visit bigcedar.com/golf/ paynes-valley-course/