Tiger’s latest creation, Payne’s Valley, set to be a big hit in Missouri
RIDGEDALE, Mo. (BVM) — The Big Cedar Lodge is a popular attraction in the Ozarks of Missouri. The resort offers numerous activities for those who stay, including a world-class fishing marina, hiking, biking, shooting facilities, a history museum and an underground cave. But what the resort has maybe become best known for is its golf.
Prior to this year, the resort already featured four golf courses designed by big names. Those include Buffalo Ridge Springs designed by Tom Fazio, Ozarks National designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, a 13-hole course called Mountain Top designed by Gary Player, and a par-three course designed by Jack Nicklaus called Top of the Rock. There is also even a putting course designed by former golf star, Tom Watson.
But in 2017, it was announced that a new course would be coming into the fold. This one was to be designed by perhaps the biggest name in golf: Tiger Woods.
In 2006, Woods began his own golf course design firm called TGR Design. He has since been involved with multiple course projects while continuing his elite play on the links. Some of the more notable courses the golf icon has helped design include Bluejack National in Houston, and Diamante in Los Cabos, Mexico.
However, three and a half years ago, construction began on a new course in Missouri called Payne’s Valley. The course was named after Springfield, Mo. native and golf legend, Payne Stewart.
Stewart was a winner of 11 PGA Tour events in his time as a professional golfer, including three majors: the 1989 PGA Championship, and the 1991 and 1999 U.S. Opens. In 1999, Stewart tragically died in a plane crash at just 42 years old.
The course was in large part designed in memory of Stewart. His widow, Tracey, was very grateful for the remembrance of her former husband.
“I have to express my gratitude for what you’re doing to honor Payne,” Tracey said at a news conference announcing the building of the course. “This area means so much to him. His sisters still live in Springfield and it’s just such an honor for our family.”
Of course, Woods wanted to be sure that he gave the creation of this course maximum effort and performance, as he does every time he is competing on the golf course.
“To be able to have a piece of property like this, for me, my job is not to screw it up and I’m going to give it my best, I’m going to give it my all,” Woods said at the same news conference. “Everybody knows I’m pretty dedicated to the things I care about and this is one of them.”
To create the course, Woods partnered with Big Cedar Lodge owner and Bass Pro Shops’ founder, Johnny Morris. Morris first bought the property in 1987, and it has thrived ever since. And as a matter of fact, Morris and Woods also have a strong relationship that dates back over two decades.
After Woods’ first major championship win at the Masters in 1997, Morris and his two sons personally delivered a Bass Tracker boat to him, which the major champion used some of his winnings to buy. Morris and Woods went on to have a fishing trip, and the rest is history.
For Morris, golf has long been a main focus of the resort. And to work with a good friend while building a new course on the property was a thrill.
“We love this land so much,” Morris said in the introductory news conference. “And to do something special on it to gain attention for people around for a long distance…to help put the spotlight on our beautiful Ozarks is something that we felt deeply about that golf could be a way to get people connected out here.”
Although the course was originally expected to open in 2019, there are not too many people complaining about the wait until this fall.
A first look at Payne's Valley 👀
The first public course design by @TigerWoods. pic.twitter.com/L4WyRlrF9R
— GOLFTV (@GOLFTV) September 22, 2020
Payne’s Valley officially opened up last month, and is Woods’ first public creation in the United States, allowing golfers from anywhere and of any skill level to play it. In fact, Woods actually had this in mind while creating the course, hoping to make it player-friendly for the average golfer.
The course plays over 7,300 yards from the back tees, but can obviously be played at much shorter distances. Uniquely, Payne’s Valley also features over 85 acres of wide fairways, some which span nearly 80 yards side to side. The par-72 course features accommodating bentgrass greens as well.
😍 @TigerWoods outdid himself with this design.
Payne’s Valley GC is ready to host the Payne’s Valley Cup on Tuesday. ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/m7MQsMnCAb
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 21, 2020
To officially open the course, Woods held an event called Payne’s Valley Cup, which featured a two-on-two Ryder Cup format with Woods and fellow American Justin Thomas facing off against European golf stars Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.
McIlroy and Rose would come out and win the best ball competition, with Woods and Thomas earning a victory in the alternate shot. After Thomas defeated McIlroy and Rose beat Woods in head-to-head singles matches, the overall score was tied up 2-2.
In order to break the tie, the four golf stars went to play one of the most unique features Payne’s Valley has to offer, the 19th hole. This 140-yard par-three named “Big Rock” was actually designed by Morris to display the beauty of the Ozarks, but to also settle ties or unsettled wages after playing 18 holes. On Sept. 22, it did just that as Thomas would end up hitting his tee shot towards the island green closest to the hole, giving he and Woods the victory in the competition.
Of course, the unveiling of Payne’s Valley featured more than just a golf match between the four major champions. All proceeds from the event went to the Payne Stewart Foundation which supports numerous organizations, including the First Tee, Kids Across America and the American Junior Golf Association.
Payne’s son, Aaron, also hit the ceremonial first tee shot to officially open the new course. Meanwhile, golf legends like Player and Nicklaus were featured at the course unveiling as well.
Overall, Woods is truly happy with the design of the course, but also the great meaning that was behind it.
“I couldn’t be prouder of how it turned out,” Woods said of the course at the unveiling. “I want to see a lot of birdies made here. I have always felt that golf is about bringing people together and this has served as my inspiration to design fun and playable courses.
“To have the opportunity to represent Payne and his family and what he’s meant to the state of Missouri and the Ozarks — it’s an honor for me.”
The course officially opened up to the public on Sept. 24, and will be available for tee times at discounted rates through the end of the year.
Now, the ultimate success of the course remains to be seen. Big Cedar Lodge’s other courses have held PGA Champions Tour events in the past. But with the new addition of Payne’s Valley, and the rave reviews the course is already receiving, it is possible there is a major championship played in the Ozarks down the line.