Upon my arrival in Springfield my great friend Bob Allen picked me up at the airport and we went straight to the Payne Stewart Golf Club in Branson, hopped on a turbo charged construction proof golf cart and toured the golf course ... WOW... where to begin.
The elevation from the first tee down to the fairway gets your attention right away, this is a beautiful and very solid opening hole. The front nine meanders through the hilly terrain of the Ozark plateau with nine being a very tough par four with a made for precision only second shot. Payne Stewart was a shot maker of the finest kind and expect to have to shape your ball here in order to score. Bobby Clampett and his team have done an admirable job of variety of shot selection, length and my favorite, they demand creativity around the greens.
The back nine starts out with a power fader's dream of a hole and by the time you get to the 15th hole you may choose between four different clubs on your approach, depending where the flag is on this long and narrow green.
There have been some creative names coined for certain stretches of holes, so what to call the closing 3 hole stretch at the Payne Stewart Golf Club ... Payne's World? You do need laser like long iron approaches, straight driving and a great short game, so that's my suggestion and I am sticking to it!
The 16th is a long par 3. .. all carry over water and if the pin is in the back right, I suggest NOT to shoot at it. The 17th is a tough par four that requires pin point precision ... from the TEE! A demanding second shot hopefully ends up ON the green ... par is a heck of a score! Eighteen is a slight dogleg left ... ALL the way uphill, hope you carry the hill, which leaves an approach that needs all your attention ... those bunkers are NOT green side, they are about 50 yards short, don't tell me I didn't warn you!
Measuring 7,400 yards from the tips the Payne Stewart Golf Club will instantaneously become a Tour level golf course. No matter what great events will be hosted at this special place ... the most special aspect is ... Payne Stewart's spirit is everywhere ... from his childhood friend Bob Allen to the wardrobe and trophy's displayed in the magnificent clubhouse to the special product - including the largest selection of plus fours in the country - you will come away in awe ... there is no place like it.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the entire team Bob, Gary, Mark, Steve, Heather, Jennifer, Jeanine, Daniel, Jeremy, Chuck, Jason and Sandy for making me feel like family in Branson, Missouri and show this worldly guest what a fantastic place they have chosen to reside.
The Pro-shop and Clubhouse will open June 21st. The first nine holes will open in September and the Grand Opening is scheduled two weeks before the Masters in April 2009. If you are ANY kind of golfer anywhere in the world ... you have to experience this very special golf course in a very special place.
With heartfelt thanks in Payne's spirit,
Auke Hempenius
