Golf Advisor Podcast Ep. 2: Editor-at-Large Matt Ginella on the allure of Big Cedar Lodge, new happenings at Sand Valley

Isn't it fun to play a brand-new golf course?

How about playing a brand-new golf course almost two months before the public gets to?

That was the case for about 25 avid traveling golfers at the latest Golf Advisor Getaways excursion to Big Cedar Lodge just outside Branson, Missouri.

Golf Advisor Editor-at-Large and Golf Advisor Round Trip host Matt Ginella and Senior Writer Tim Gavrich took the reins for Episode 2 of the Golf Advisor Podcast, which recapped that special experience and much more from one of America's emerging golf destinations.

Like many world-renowned properties, Big Cedar Lodge is the product of a passionate, singular vision. Its patron, Johnny Morris, founded and helms the massive Bass Pro Shops empire. On property, guests can take advantage of all sorts of outdoor recreation opportunities, including four golf courses (and a fifth being built).

Check out this latest episode below.

You can also listen to and subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms, including: iTunes | Stitcher | Spotify

Matt Ginella discusses why Big Cedar Lodge holds a particularly special place in his heart.

Ginella talks about his friendship with Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and Big Cedar Lodge owner, and Morris' passion for the Ozarks.

Gavrich and Ginella compare notes on the brand-new Ozarks National Course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw.

Ginella details what makes Ozarks National unique among the Coore/Crenshaw portfolio.

The two also discuss Big Cedar Lodge's unique situation of having multiple short courses - Top of the Rock and Mountain Top - which manage to each have a wholly distinct character.

Gavrich and Ginella look back on the latest Golf Advisor Getaway, which brought more than 20 readers to one of America's premier golf resorts.

Articles

5 Min Read

Ozarks National and the stimulation of strategic golf

September 27, 2018

Coore & Crenshaw's latest course continues cerebral golf's renaissance

By Tim Gavrich

Ozarks National at Big Cedar Lodge: hole by hole

Big Cedar Lodge owner Johnny Morris hand-paints many signs seen throughout the property. His handiwork welcomes golfers to Ozarks National. Mike Lowe/Golf Advisor

The opener at Ozarks National is a shortish par five that meanders to the right. Right off the bat, it's a test of a golfer's brain. Play aggressively and bring the second fairway bunker into play or lay back to the wider expanse? Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

The second is an uphill par three whose modest length seduces golfers into playing at the flag, which can be very dangerous. Mike Lowe/Golf Advisor

The third hole is a short par four that drifts uphill. Some of the meanest greenside bunkers on the golf course guard the two-tiered green. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

The long par-4 fourth is a statement that more than the conventional set of golf skills will be required. It takes trust in both oneself and the architects to use the half-punchbowl slopes that direct balls down onto this ridgetop green. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

Number five is a splendid short par four with options aplenty. The direct route is available, but fraught. Play out to the left, though, and you'll want to take care not to hit your tee ball too far, lest you be blocked out by a tree. Gorilla golf will be punished here. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

The longish sixth is a stately introduction to a wonderful set of par threes. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

The short par-5 seventh represents a chance to reclaim a lost shot, but only after two solid full swings. The front-left hole location seen here is the epitome of a sucker pin. Anything that misses to the left ends up in the bunker or worse. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

After a big, almost overwhelming opening stretch, the little one-shot eighth is a bit of a visual palate-cleanser, but it still requires a confident swing. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

The winding ninth, an uphill three-shot par five, closes out an entertaining front nine with three par threes, fours and fives each. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

Number 10 kicks off Ozarks National's long, challenging back nine. Mike Lowe/Golf Advisor

A tall pine complicates the second shot at the shortish par-5 11th. Though the greenside bunkers make the right look like the worst miss, mounds and slopes left can funnel balls into worse trouble. Mike Lowe/Golf Advisor

The 12th at Ozarks National is one of the best long par threes built in recent years, and should take an honored place in the Coore/Crenshaw portfolio. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

The 13th anchors the course's toughest stretch, greeting golfers with an intimidating carry across a canyon to an undulating fairway. A tee ball up the left - near trouble - shortens the hole considerably. Mike Lowe/Golf Advisor

Hole 14 glides over a ridge and marches down toward a massive, 55-yard deep green. Slopes to the right can help kick the ball toward the pin. Mike Lowe/Golf Advisor

The uphill tee shot on the par-4 15th is unusual, with a necklace of short-range bunkers presenting options for tee shot positioning. Some holes have infinity greens; this one has an infinity fairway. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

The par-4 16th features the only water hazard at Ozarks National. It doesn't come into play so much as accent the scene. The bunkers guarding the elevated green are more perilous. Mike Lowe/Golf Advisor

After a run of long holes, the penultimate test at Ozarks National barely tops 130 yards, even from the tips. The view is one of the best on the property. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor

The course leaves golfers with a big statement in the form of a sweeping, long uphill par four where picking the correct line off the tee is essential, despite the width of the fairway. Tim Gavrich/Golf Advisor