By Michelle Keller
“Short Courses” have been popping up around the globe, and the trend is so prevalent that Golfweek recently unveiled its first list dedicated to the niche –“Top 40 Par-3, Short and Non-Traditional U.S. Golf Courses in the U.S.”
Branson, Missouri, has ten courses garnering top rankings, including two in the top 20 and one in the top 10.
-No. 8 –Top of the Rock, the 9-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course, is the first-ever par-3 course to be included in a professional championship (PGA TOUR Champions Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf.)
-No. 19 –Mountain Top, the 13-hole, walking-only course designed by Gary Player, showcases stunning Ozark views amid diverse, dramatic holes that wind around 300-million-year-old limestone formations.
Both courses are amenities of Big Cedar Lodge, which also has three 18-hole courses. All are ranked among the best in the state and country and are Audubon International certified for their best environmental and sustainability practices.
An 11th course in the destination is under construction. It is an 18-hole, par-3 design called Cliffhangers located adjacent to Payne’s Valley. The championship layout was authorized by Tiger Woods and his TGR Design partners. Branson is a league-of-its-own family vacation destination nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains, with dozens of live performance theaters, three pristine lakes, an international award-winning theme park, dozens of attractions and museums, a Historic Downtown district, a Town Center-style shopping complex, a full range of dining options, and a host of hotels, motels, resorts, RV parks, campgrounds, sports venues, and meeting and conference facilities. Branson is less than one day’s drive for one-third of America’s residents.
In the last issue, we traveled to a Johnny Morris establishment in Memphis, TN, the Big Cypress Lodge. Recently, we followed up at another Johnny Morris resort, Big Cedar Lodge.
Natural rustic beauty and luxury form a hybrid in all Johnny Morris resorts. Covering 4,600 acres, this rugged landscape of the Missouri Ozark Mountains overlooks Table Rock Lake. Committed to conservation, Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops, created Big Cedar Lodge as a destination for families, andfriends to connect in the great outdoors. With luxury accommodations, tantalizing restaurants, and two full-service marinas, five (yes, I said five) golf courses, a 50,000-square-foot activity center, a spa, unparallelled fishing, and countless outdoor adventures, Big Cedar is a world-class resort.
In December, Branson was decked out for the holidays with Christmas-themed variety shows, light displays, and plenty of activity. We cruised the waters of Table Rock Lake on our first evening aboard the Branson Belle Showboat. The dinner cruise included a delicious three-course meal. Music and comedy were the main focus of the show. During the holiday season, an additional show was presented, which made the occasion a permanent holiday memory.
Themed after the majestic showboats of the 1800s, the Showboat Branson Belle evokes the spirit of a bygone era when riverboat adventure, glamorous travel, and star-studded entertainment converged into what some remember as ‘Those Grand Old Showboatin’ Days.’
The live show offers guests a chance to relax and take in the beautiful views of the Ozarks. You can sit in one of the comfortable Adirondack chairs, stroll along one of the four grand decks, or simply look out the window from your table. The extended intermission between the meal and the beginning of the show gives you ample time to enjoy the scenic views. This is one of the most unique vantage points in Branson to experience the beauty of the Ozarks.
A fun fact that our host shared is that the Showboat Branson Belle was launched from her lakeside shipyard on August 13, 1994, using two tons of bananas as a lubricant for the nine-second slide into the water. She traveled 14 mph during the launch, faster than she’ll ever travel on water. This sightseeing cruise combined with entertainment is a must for a Branson visit. Boat enthusiasts and everyone in your group will enjoy some part if not all of this variety show.
While Branson has plenty of breakfast spots, Billy Gail’s is legendary. Leave your worries at home, but don’t forget your appetite. Among specialty offerings, the location is famous for pancakes that mirror the size of an average hubcap. Other offerings include Texas-size French toast and savory omelets. With these generous-sized eats, you’ll have plenty of energy to explore the city for hours. Noteworthy, this cafe was once a service station, but it now hosts cozy seating and subtle touches that make it a comfortable and casual spot.
An early round of golf is a perfect way to work off a hearty breakfast, and Branson is a magnificent spot. Few things can compare to teeing off in the natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains. Ozark Mountain topography includes elevation changes at Branson, such as Ledgestone Country Club. From the peaks, you’ll be able to see the rolling hills for miles as you tee off. In the valleys, the stunning mountain views are stunning at sunrise and will test your shot-making skills.
Branson’s golf courses incorporate water as both a visual delicacy and a challenge to your round. I can think ofno better example of water inclusion than Top of the Rock, a par three course with mesmerizing backdrop views of Table Rock Lake. The course features an alluring lake with an island green.
Morris developed another course in 2020 that joins Top of the Rock, Buffalo Ridge Springs, Mountain Top, and Ozarks National in Big Cedar Lodge’s stable of incredible golf amenities -Payne’s Valley.
Payne’s Valley is America’s first TGR Design public access golf course. An interesting feature of this course is the extraordinary 19th hole. Known as “The Rock,” the 19th hole can be used for settling unfinished wagers. The walkable course ends with a breathtaking natural cavern system, which returns to the clubhouse after the 19th hole is completed.
With changes in elevation, ample water features, and rolling fairways, prepare to bring your best game to Branson. At Branson Hills Golf Club, the challenge escalates as seven holes on the back nine play more than 400 yards from the gold tees. The golfing experience in Branson is as rewarding as it is intriguing. You might be trying to hide eraser marks on your scorecard after your rounds are finished.
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that Dolly Parton is one of my favorite people on the planet. In the lastinstallment, we visited a Dolly-themed hotel in Nashville, TN, and this time we went a little bigger. The Dolly Parton Stampede in Branson includes 32 horses and a cast of incredible trick riders inside of a 35,000-square-foot arena that transforms into afantasyland at Christmas. Complete with a dinner show, this attraction offers competition, stunning special effects, and phenomenal musical productions. Our visit included falling snow, twinkling lights, old-fashioned holiday costumes, and a lot more.
Gatherings with family and food are numerous during the holidays; next year, why not plan to take it on the road. The Stampede includes a four-course meal. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate with family and friends than to let someone else do the cooking and the cleaning. Plus, memories will be made that will last a lifetime. When the first course arrives, you’re watching the horse show with the famous trick riders showing off their competitive stunts. By the time you get to the main course, you’re watching a comedy bit, and the dessert hour includes a complete musical production. There are several opportunities in this show to laugh and enjoy your friends and family and meet some new ones.
When you’re on vacation, it’s time to splurge. Breakfast is what I like to do, that way I can work it off throughout the day. If a restaurant is able to close by 1 p.m, that speaks volumes about the offerings. If it’s good, people will come especially if you close early. This is the case at the Hungry Hunter, which opens at 7 a.m. and closes by 1 p.m. daily. I confess to having a homemade cinnamon roll that was as warm and gooey as any food lover could hope for. It passed the coffee test, but there was no way it could be eaten by one. This decadent roll is meant to be shared.
Working off that sugar was easier than you probably imagined. It’s not too cold to hike in the fall. Lace up your hiking boots, put on your warmest coat, and hit the trails in Branson to explore the natural winter beauty of this area. With trailsof all lengths and difficulty levels, all that’s left is to pick the best trail for your group. It’s a great opportunity to see the lay of the land in an area known for its outdoor attractions, including swimming, kayaking, fishing, and paddleboarding among many others.
If you’re an adventurer looking for a thrill, Branson has five different ziplining opportunities. The Branson Zipline Canopy Tours offer one-of-a-kind eco-adventures through a series of ziplines, sky bridges, walkways, and platforms. The Canopy Adventure Combo takes you over running creeks, past majestic bluffs and through the Ozarks. Prepare for a thrill if you ride on Wolfe Creek Preserve’s fastest zipline, the Blue Streak Fast Line, standing 25 feet off of the top of Wolfe Mountain. An incredible view with a life-changing thrill at the end of the line. My favorite part of the action in Branson is the shows! For more than 50 years, live music shows have been a staple of Branson vacations. Morning, afternoon, and night, Branson hosts a variety of entertainment options including comedy shows, dinner shows, shows on boats and shows for kids.
Among those shows is Legends in Concert. Since its debut at the Imperial Palace on May 5, 1983, the Legends in Concert show has earned entertainment industry awards for “Show of the Year,” “Entertainers of the Year,” “Grand Slam” and the prestigious “Show of Shows” awarded by the International Press Association. Legends in Concert is the longest running show in Las Vegas history.
Legends in Concert also has long-running productions in Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), Branson(Missouri), Crown Melbourne (Australia), Foxwoods Resort (Connecticut), The Fireside Theatre (Wisconsin), Atlantic City, Long Island, Niagara Falls, Waikiki (Hawaii) and aboard the Norwegian Pearl.
Each legendary performer not only looks like the star they portray, but uses their own natural voices to pay homage to their iconic music counterpart. Legends in Concert live tribute shows are known for their elaborate theatrical sets, magnificent costumes, and the full array of incredible special effects, including three-dimensional multimedia and state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems.
An outstanding cast of accomplished tribute artists, talented singers and dancers, and a live orchestra composed of some of the top musicians in the industry support each Legends in Concert production. What started in 1983 as a limited six-week engagement at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada (now the LINQ), celebrates 40 years of entertaining more than 40 million fans around the globe.
Nashville Roadhouse is a weekly show for TV and Concert offered each Friday and Saturday night. Featuring guests like Wynonna Judd, Jo Dee Messina, Nelson, Wade Hayes, Jeff Carson, Warrant, Quiet Riot, Steve Miller Band, Blackfoot, and many others, the Concert series began in 2021 with Wynonna Judd kicking it off.
Six Voices is a show you don’t want to miss. There are zero physical instruments used and all music is shown at this jaw-dropping show. Six multi-talented brothers, Barry, Kevin, Lynn, Jak, Owen,and Charles, sound like a band using only their mouths. It really is an incredible experience. One of Branson’s premiere shows, SIX® offers something for everyone with their high-energy musical interpretations, utilizing a palpable rhythmic bass, drivingbeatbox style percussion, and an impeccable vocal blend that they’ve been developing since they were teens.
Infusing lively choreography and fun family comedy that only brothers can do, they perform a wide variety of musical genres for fans of all ages; SIX® repeated accolades such as “Production Show of the Year”, “Entertainers of the Year”, “Vocal Group of the Year”, and many others. This is also a must see production in Branson. Everyone can experience the wonder of Silver Dollar City at peak season inthe warmer months or during An Old Time Christmas festival. The child in everyone will come back when you see the millions of lights covering the city. Live Christmas music shows, 1,000 decorated Christmas trees, an eight-story Christmas tree with specialeffects, and the Holly Jolly Christmas Light Parade are all a part of the park’s holiday lineup. Still thinking about hosting the holidays at home again this year? A holiday here is one for the books. There is so much to see and do in this city that I haven’t covered it all. Shopping is key for any vacation and Branson doesn’t disappoint at the Branson Landing. With a scenic boardwalk along the 1.5-mile Taneycomo Lakefront. At the center of the Landing is a vibrant town square terracing down to the $7.5 million spectacular water attraction that features the first-ever merging of water, fire, light, and music. I was fully mesmerized by the interplay of water fountains shooting 120-foot geysers and fire cannons blasting, all choreographed to light and music.
The water and fire spectacle is a creation of internationally renowned Wet Design, the producers of world-class shows for Downtown Disney marketplace in Orlando, Universal CityWalk in California, and the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
I’ll leave you with the knowledge that Branson is a perfect spot for Winter and Summer vacations and anything in between. The rolling hills, gorgeous forests and sprawling lakes of Branson are perfect for exploring. Branson lakes offer all kinds of water sports and leisure activities. Rent a boat at one of the many marinas in town and enjoy family time on the water at Lake Taneycomo, Table Rock Lake or Bull Shoals Lake with jet ski rentals, wake boarding, and even water skiing. And for the true adventurer, there are plenty of opportunities for scuba diving and exploring what lies below Table Rock Lake. There is quite a lot to do in Branson, and it is all dedicated to creating unforgettable memories.
Until next time, travel often, and hold your standards and your sheet thread count high. Cheers to your next adventure.
