Ozarks National chosen as Best New Public Course

Golf Digest reviewers have ranked Ozarks National the # 1 in the magazine's "Best New Public Course 2019" roster. Opened for play on May 1, 2019, the Big Cedar Lodge championship amenity has quickly garnered acclaim from golfers, industry professionals and media participants. Designed by two of the best golf course architects, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the stunning course was created in tandem with Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge Founder Johnny Morris. The highly acclaimed and stunning venue outshines other best new layouts across the country.

"The awards that Branson-area courses hold are very impressive and underscore the variety and quality of our golf destination options," said Lynn Berry, Director of Communications, Branson CVB. "Complementing Ozarks National are Buffalo Springs, Ledgestone, Mountain Top, The Pointe, Top of the Rock, Holidays Hills, Branson Hills and Payne's Valley. We're quickly becoming 'America's Next Great Golf Destination.'"

Buffalo Ridge Springs, Branson Hills and Ledgestone are rated nos. 1, 2, and 6 respectively by Golfweek in its 2019 "Best Courses You Can Play by State."

Ozarks National is the state of Missouri's first and only golf course designed by Coore & Crenshaw, measuring 7,036 yards from the back tees, and reflecting the glorious terrain of the Ozarks complemented by stunning scenic vistas. The layout features challenging carries and a variety of visually appealing approach shots that are highlighted by the native habitat. The course also includes interesting features such as a 400-foot wooden beam and plank bridge which connects the tee box and fairway of the par 4 dogleg, 13th hole that stands 60-feet above a flowing creek.

To determine Golf Digest's "America's Best New Golf Courses," more than 1,600 Golf Digest panelists across the U.S. and Canada played and evaluated 'Best New' candidate courses, scoring each in 8 evaluation categories: Shot Options, Layout Variety, Challenge, Distinctiveness, Aesthetics, Conditioning, Character and Fun.

One Golf Digest rater commented, "I was totally blown away by Ozarks National and its rugged aesthetics: high grass on the perimeter, asymmetric bunkers and views of the Ozark Mountains. It was as good as any course in the Midwest." You need to check out America's Next Great Golf Destination.