If you’re looking to expand your group’s golfing frontiers, there are several new and exciting places to tee up in 2018.
Mountain Top Course at Big Cedar Lodge
Branson, Mo.
An innovative, non-traditional, 13-hole course designed by golf icon Gary Player, this picturesque layout was specifically designed for all ages and skill levels. The holes range in distance from 95 yards to 221 yards from the back tees. Other golf includes the Jack Nicklaus-designed Top of the Rock nine-hole, par-3 course and the 18-hole Buffalo Ridge Springs Course, a Tom Fazio design. Featuring a luxury, rustic decor, Big Cedar Lodge has 21,300 square feet of meeting space and 15 meeting rooms.
The Cradle at Pinehurst Resort
Pinehurst, N.C.
With holes ranging from 56 to 127 yards, this nine-hole, par-3 course, designed by Gil Hanse, has rolling terrain, rough-hewn bunkers and other features that have been hallmarks of Pinehurst’s championship golf courses. Pinehurst Resort, which has nine 18-hole golf courses and the Thistle Dhu putting course, offers 16 meeting rooms and 38,400 square feet of meeting space.
Sand Valley Golf Resort
Rome, Wis.
Mike Keiser, the creator of highly regarded Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Cabot Links in Canada, also spearheaded Sand Valley Golf Resort. Located near the tourist town of Wisconsin Dells, about a two-hour drive north of Madison, the 18-hole Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw design is a visually stunning course with exposed sand dunes, ridges and valleys. The 1,700-acre Sand Valley Resort has a 40-room lodge and cottage accommodations.
Shepherd’s Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Farmington, Pa.
Enveloped by the Allegheny Mountains about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, this 18-hole, 7,151-yard, Pete Dye-designed course has challenging golf and spectacular scenic views from across the mountains. Nemacolin Woodlands’ 35,000 square feet of meeting space encompasses 25 meeting rooms and a 175-seat lecture hall.
Black Course at Streamsong Resort
Fort Meade, Fla.
Designed by Gil Hanse, the 18-hole Black Course, which joins the Red and Blue courses at Streamsong, is set on rolling terrain with abundant sand and blowout sand bunkers, native grasses and panoramas similar to those of the Sand Belt courses in Australia. The 216-room lodge has luxury accommodations with 24,600 square feet of indoor meeting space and 40,000 square feet of outdoor event space.