Preview Play Begins at the First Public-Access Course by Tiger Woods at Big Cedar Lodge By Brian Weis

Preview Play Begins at the First Public-Access Course by Tiger Woods at Big Cedar Lodge

Visitors invited to play the first 13 holes of Payne's Valley at Big Cedar Lodge starting March 6

By Brian Weis

Big Cedar Lodge, America's premier wilderness resort and a growing destination for world-class nature golf, is proud to announce that Payne's Valley will open to the public for preview play starting March 6. The highly-anticipated 19-hole course, designed by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris and 82-time PGA TOUR champion Tiger Woods, will be the first public-access design in the United States by TGR Design designed to showcase the natural beauty of the Ozarks.

Named in honor of golf legend and Ozarks native, the late Payne Stewart, Payne's Valley is slated for a grand opening later in the season. Through a partnership between Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Big Cedar Lodge and Bass Pro Shops, and Tiger Woods, the 19-hole layout was created with the intent to foster a deeper connection to nature through the game of golf. The walkable course will be challenging yet player-friendly and will include an unforgettable finish where golfers must traverse through a breathtaking natural cave system to return to the clubhouse.

"We are excited to give golf fans a taste of the truly remarkable experience we are creating here in the Ozarks," said Johnny Morris. "Payne's Valley marks the fifth golf course at Big Cedar Lodge, helping to solidify it as America's next great golf destination. We are confident Payne's Valley will be a truly memorable experience for all golfers, and we can't wait to share it with the public."

During the special preview play experience, fans will have access to play the first 13 holes and view "The Rock at Payne's Valley," a dramatic setting for the final "bet settling" hole designed by Johnny Morris.

Payne's Valley preview play can be reserved for $195 per person, which includes golf cart, access to the range at Ozarks National and on-course snacks. Guests are also eligible for a replay rate of $130 which can be used at Payne's Valley. Juniors can play Payne's Valley for $55 per round.

Interested golfers can call 800-225-6343 to book tee times on Payne's Valley today.

More Information »

Revised: 03/01/2020 - Article Viewed 11,647 Times - View Course Profile

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the Publisher of GolfTrips.com, a network of golf travel and directory sites including GolfWisconsin.com, GolfMichigan.com, ArizonaGolfer.com, GolfAlabama.com, etc. Professionally, Brian is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG). In 2016, Brian won The Shaheen Cup, an award given to a golf travel writer by his peers.

All of his life, Brian has been around the game of golf. As a youngster, Brian competed at all levels in junior and high school golf. Brian had a zero chance for a college golf scholarship, so he worked on the grounds crew at West Bend Country Club to pay for his University of Wisconsin education. In his adult years, his passion for the game collided with his entrepreneurial spirit and in 2004 launched GolfWisconsin.com. In 2007, the idea for a network of local golf directory sites formed and GolfTrips.com was born. Today, the network consists of a site in all 50 states supported by national sites like GolfTrips.com, GolfGuide.com and GolfPackages.com. It is an understatement to say, Brian is passionate about promoting golf and golf travel on a local, regional, national and international level.

On the golf course, Brian is known as a fierce weekend warrior that fluctuates between a 5-9 handicap. With a soft fade, known as "The Weis Slice", and booming 300+ drives, he can blast it out of bounds with the best of them.