Thursday, May 7, 2015

Branson/Lakes Area Courses Unveil Renovations and Other Enhancements

(BRANSON, Mo.) – While the Branson/Lakes Area has been at the epicenter of U.S. golf-destination news this spring thanks to major events, announcements and awards garnered, a number of changes and additions at area courses are also noteworthy.

Other relevant news emanating from this southwest Missouri Ozark oasis gives players more reason to choose and enjoy the Branson/Lakes Area for their next round or golf getaway.

Pointe Royale Golf Village reworked its bunkers recently and filled them with gleaming, crushed white limestone sand.  This same material is in sand bunkers at stunning Top of the Rock Golf Course, the gorgeous Big Cedar Lodge amenity that was in the national spotlight throughout April while hosting the PGA Champions TOUR Legends of Golf tournament.

“The Pointe” also tweaked the 10th hole and course operations to improve both the aesthetic and playing experience.  A pace-of-play initiative has dropped the time to play an 18-hole round to slightly more than 4 hours, with the goal of going sub-4 later this season.

Thousand Hills Golf Resort has also embraced increasing pace of play this season, unveiled a new golf cart fleet with GPS and refreshed its sand bunkers, causing them “to drain and play better,” according to Superintendent Pat Shay.

Staying with playing enhancements, Payne Stewart Golf Club removed a hidden sand pot bunker on its 8th hole, good news for golfers, as is the course’s greens.  “We’re in the best condition we’ve ever been, thanks to aggressive aerification,” said Payne Stewart general manager Dan Davis.

Holiday Hills Resort and Golf Club – Branson’s first golf course – is reconstructing its 10th hole green.  Originally built nearly 60 years ago, it had been a difficult surface over the years.  When work concludes – estimated at June 1 – the complex will have been reconfigured and new drainage added.

Additionally, Holiday Hills has added a brand new golf cart fleet with GPS.

Buffalo Ridge Springs and LedgeStone offer other area golf options. Along with Payne Stewart, both are ranked among the top five courses in Missouri by Golfweek magazine.

For more information about Branson/Lakes Area Golf, visit www.explorebranson.com/golf and “Like” Branson Golf on Facebook.

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