Branson, Missouri, is known around the country as the Live Entertainment Capital of the Midwest. But Branson is also a fisherman’s dream, a family friendly vacation destination, and a golfer’s paradise. Branson golf has really taken off over the last few years, what with the amazing courses and resources available – plus, Branson has hosted some major golf tournaments that has really put the town on the map as a golf hotspot.
The Courses: The stunning 18-hole golf course at Thousand Hills Hotel and Golf Resort, rated 4 stars by Golf Digest and voted Best of the Ozarks for Branson Golf Courses by the Springfield News-Leader, is a favorite for playing Branson golf. Open to both the public and resort guests, the Thousand Hills golf course welcomes all golfers, regardless of your level of expertise. Thousand Hills prides themselves on catering everyone from the novice to the professional with their three separate sets of tees.
Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve –“A Vision Worth the Wait”- is not just a place to dine, explore nature, and check out a natural history museum, it’s also a great place to golf! This world-class golf course was seven years in the making with the help of several golfing pros including Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. This course covers 47 acres, with much of it being allowed to maintain its natural state. This is made apparent in the rushing waterfalls, streams and hollows along the course. A stellar practice facility and putting complex are also available to the golfers here.
The Tournaments: The Bass Pro Legends Golf Tournament is a two man, 54 hole game. Golf professionals and famous players who have participated in this outstanding tournament include Gary Player, Hale Irwin, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus. The latter two players actually partnered with Johnny Morris in the creation of the Top of the Rock and Buffalo Ridge golf courses – Tom Watson designed The Himalayas putting green, and Jack Nicklaus was a major designer of the par-3 Top of the Rock course. (Arnold Palmer was also a leading player and course design specialist who helped create the now famous golf courses.)
The tournament is arranged so that only 13 of the 26 two man golfing teams are playing at the same time – part of the uniqueness of the Bass Pro Legends tournament is that whichever teams are NOT on the course are partaking in an Outdoor Pro-Am activity such as Fishing (bass or trout) or Shooting (archery or skeet.) The teams will then swap so everyone gets a chance on the course!
The Communities: Not only can you visit Branson to golf, you can actually live just off some of the golf courses! Stonebridge Village, The Communities at Branson Creek, or the Condos at Thousand Hills are some great communities that can help you achieve your dream of not just playing, but living in a golfer’s paradise!
