Latest news with #JohnnyMorris
Forbes
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Big Cedar Lodge To Open Cliffhangers Par 3 Course On July 4th
On the 4th of July, Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri's Ozarks will open its new Par 3 Cliffhangers course and in doing so move into uncharted territory in the world of American golf – becoming the first destination resort with three short courses. Originally planned as a practice facility, Cliffhangers morphed into a wild adventure course with 18 holes (with distances of 60 to 170 yards) carved into 50 acres of dramatic limestone cliffs, with about 400 feet of vertical descent in total. The rugged layout, located adjacent to the Tiger Woods-designed Payne's Valley course, was created by the resort's founder, conservationist Johnny Morris, and his son, John Paul. While traversing steep mountain trails and navigating undulating bent grass greens at Cliffhangers, golfers will drive carts through cascading waterfalls, cross swift flowing creeks, and wind through a cave system. The finish at Cliffhangers might be on par with that of neighboring Payne's Valley, where the par 3 19th hole -- a photo-worthy island green that sits in a pond at the base of a massive limestone cliff – has emerged as a social media darling. The culmination of Cliffhangers might just be a true one-of-a-kind experience, allowing players to launch tee shots from inside a cavern… and through a gentle waterfall. 'This is golf on the edge – literally,' said Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops and visionary behind Big Cedar Lodge. 'We wanted to create something that celebrates the natural wonder of the Ozarks while delivering an unforgettable adventure for every golfer.' Inspired by his childhood memories at Table Rock Lake in Missouri's Ozark region, Morris has expanded Big Cedar into a year-round, 4,600-acre destination that connects guests from the Midwest and beyond with nature and the great outdoors. While Morris prefers fishing and hunting, he recognizes golf is a key part of the outdoor experience for millions of Americans for its physical, mental and social benefits. The addition of Cliffhangers gives Big Cedar six courses in total, helping further stamp its place as one of the premier golf resorts in the U.S. with a national footprint. Three of the courses at Big Cedar are regulation-length layouts: Payne's Valley, Ozark National designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, and Buffalo Ridge from Tom Fazio. The other two short courses were designed by a couple of the game's greats in major champions Jack Nicklaus (Top of the Rock) and Gary Player (Mountain Top). The Top of the Rock course is a pristinely-manicured 9-hole course that sits high atop Table Rock lake and for years hosted a senior tour event. Mountain Top, meanwhile, is a picturesque 13-hole layout set on the highest point on the main golf property. Cliffhangers is different from anything else at the resort, with significant elevation changes, breathtaking views, and holes that climb across cliffs and over creeks as it steps its way along the cliffside with zoysia-covered surrounds. While there are 18 holes, Morris and his son included two extra 'death-defying cliffhanger tee boxes' – one each on the 1st and 10th holes – that give players 20 chances for a hole-in-one. 'Cliffhangers reflects everything we love about nature, adventure, and golf,' said John Paul Morris. 'It's wild, fun, and unlike anything in the game of golf today.' One of the precarious tee boxes at Cliffhangers Big Cedar Lodge
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bass Pro's 10th Annual Gone Fishing event
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Johnny Morris and Bass Pro are donating more than 40,000 fishing rods and reels to not-for-profit partners helping connect kids to the outdoors. The 10th annual Gone Fishing event will include gear donations, non-profit partnerships, and free in-store fishing and casting activities at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's locations June 6-8 and June 13-15. Kids can experience in-store catch-and-release ponds and get a free digital photo download to celebrate their achievement. There will also be free knot-tying kits available while supplies last. The event runs 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on June 6 and June 13; 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on June 7-8 and June 14-15. 'Some of my most happy experiences in life have been spent fishing and enjoying the great outdoors with family, friends and loved ones,' said Johnny Morris. 'Gone Fishing is a perfect opportunity to share those experiences and help future generations discover the joys of fishing, while inspiring families to get out and enjoy all that nature has to offer.' Nearly 500,000 rods and reels have been donated across North America since the inception of the program. Gone Fishing kicks off Thursday, June 5, with special donation presentations across the U.S. Bass Pro Shops is also offering up an opportunity to show off your child's best catches with the Kids' Braggin' Board. You can submit photos of your child with their catch for a chance to be featured on their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Silver Dollar City & Big Cedar Lodge win 2025 USA Today reader awards
BRANSON, Mo. — Two Branson-area attractions — Silver Dollar City and Big Cedar Lodge — were named as some of the best in America for 2025. Silver Dollar City held onto its crown as the best theme park in America by placing first in USA Today's 2025 reader awards, marking the third straight year it has won this award. The park has ranked in the top five for best theme park by USA Today since 2018. USA Today says Silver Dollar City sees around two million visitors annually, and the park features 40 rides and attractions for visitors to explore. The park's president — Brad Thomas — says the thrilling rides, home-cooked menus, entertaining shows and more keep visitors coming back every year. Silver Dollar City also ranked in the top 10 in multiple other awards. The park ranked second for best theme park restaurants with Rivertown Smokehouse and best theme park entertainment with the Rivertown Ramblers, as well as ranking sixth for best roller coaster with the Time Traveler. Silver Dollar City to build a resort in 2026 USA Today readers also voted Big Cedar Lodge, located in Ridgedale, as the number one golf resort in the United States for 2025. The resort on Table Rock Lake — created by Bass Pro Founder Johnny Morris — boasts its conservation efforts and as well as offering a great public golfing experience. USA Today noted the variety of accommodations, incredible natural beauty, and amenities such as restaurants, swimming pools and a spa as selling points for their highest-ranking golf resort. 'It's very humbling to be recognized with this honor, especially because the voting was done by golfers and guests who have visited Big Cedar Lodge and golf resorts and destinations across America,' Morris said in a press release. 'It's a testament to our beautiful Ozarks and to the shared passions of many talented people, including our team members, who wake up every morning committed to providing the most genuine, friendly hospitality and creating lifelong happy memories for our guests.' The full top 10 lists for best theme park and best golf resort can be found on USA Today's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Bass Pro Shops location announced for Fort Smith, to open in 2026
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — According to a news release sent out by the company Monday, Bass Pro Shops will be opening a new Outpost retail location in Fort Smith. This store would cover 70,000 square feet on Rogers Avenue, according to the release. The company plans to open the store in early 2026. 'We are honored to open our newest location in the Natural State and are grateful for the opportunity to serve the many passionate sportsmen and women in this beautiful region,' said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops via the release. 'We're proud to become neighbors with our longtime friends from Pradco Outdoor Brands and want to give a special thanks to Bennie Westphal from the Westphal Companies development group for his support in welcoming us to the region.' On July 18, 2023, the Fort Smith Board of Directors voted to move forward with a large-scale retail project (colloquially known as 'Project X'). As a condition of the deal, anyone associated with the project had to sign a nondisclosure agreement. At the time, the project promised $28 million in annual sales and 93 jobs. This Bass Pro Shops location will be the retailer's third in Arkansas. The other two are in Rogers and Little Rock. This is a developing story and KNWA/FOX24 will update this article as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
