Just a few miles south of Branson, you will find Ridgedale, MO. Home of the very popular tourist destinations; Big Cedar Lodge and Top of the Rock but just south of Ridgedale, MO. if you head towards the Branson airport you will drive right through a golfer’s paradise. Johnny Morris (founder of Bass Pro) has always done an amazing job with places and experiences that he has created and so it comes as no surprise that when he started building golf courses, they would be the same. Spectacular!
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Johnny Morris Nature Golf features four beautiful courses…
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Ozarks National
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The more challenging of courses does not lack in beauty, even if you’re having a bad day of golf. The course features a 400 ft wooden beam and plank bridge that stands 60 ft above a flowing creek
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Buffalo Ridge
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Just as you pull into the Branson Creek area, to your left you will find Buffalo Ridge. This course displays the true beauty of the Ozarks with its natural rock formations, creeks, caves, lakes, waterfalls. You might even see a North American bison or two roaming around.
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Mountain Top
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This course may be the most unique of them all, offering a 13-hole short course that is great for players of all skills. Thousands of hours were spent excavating 300 million old limestones to create an experience that you will never forget.
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Top of the Rock
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Located at Top of the Rock next to Big Cedar is known for its beautiful backdrop of the famous Table Rock Lake and features “Arnie’s Barn” which was relocated here from the backyard of golf legend Arnold Palmer. This 9-hole course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course and the first par 3 course to be included in a professional championship.
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Payne’s Valley
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This course is best known for being built by another legend, Tiger Woods, and for its breathtaking 19th hole. The name coming from Springfield native, and Hall of Famer golfer, Payne Stewart.
Sports Illustrated (Aug 16, 2021) wrote an article about the “Seven Courses That are worthy of Hosting a future U.S. Open”; the list includes courses from all around the country like Brandon Dunes, Oregan, Mauna Kea in Hawaii, Steamsong Resort in Florida, and our very own Payne’s Valley.