417 Magazine: The Johnny Morris Story

Along with countless beautiful views of Table Rock Lake, Top of the Rock features a Jack Nicklaus
signature golf course, an Arnold Palmer Driving Range and a Tom Watson Himalayan Putting Green.
(page 1 of 4)
Just a few months after the opening of Top of the Rock, a breathtakingly beautiful 462-acre property
overlooking Table Rock Lake, we take a closer look at the outdoorsy wonderland, its impact on local
tourism and the man who built it all: Johnny Morris. Get to know Johnny, the founder of Bass Pro Shops,
Big Cedar Lodge, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, Top of the Rock and more. And learn why he chooses to
call 417-land home for himself and his many properties.
There's a sense of sincerity in Johnny Morris's voice as he tells his story of falling in love with the Ozarks
and its rich history.
“During the first national B.A.S.S. tournament, I met fishermen from all over the country. I knew when I
went to that tournament that all I wanted to do was fish or be around fishing.” —Johnny Morris
He speaks slowly and thoughtfully, recalling events that happened more than 50 years ago almost as if
they just happened yesterday. “I grew up fishing on the rivers here with my dad and my mom’s brother,
Uncle Buck,” says Johnny, who turned 66 this year. “One time I was on a float trip with my father, and
when I went to get our truck, I cut across a field. It was after a spring rain, and a farmer had just plowed,
and I looked down and saw an arrowhead sitting there.” Johnny goes on—the passion building in his
voice—to describe everything he felt at that very second. “That just really captivated me,” he says,
almost lost in the moment. “It got to me. I started thinking, ‘What was life like when the person made
this point? What was wildlife like? What was fishing like?’ I was standing there in my jeans and my
tennis shoes just thinking, ‘What did they wear? Did they have on a deer skin crop? Or maybe a buffalo
hide? What were they really like?’”
Fast forward five decades, and now Johnny is the owner of Bass Pro Shops, Tracker Boats, Big Cedar
Lodge, Integrity Hills, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and—his most recent creation—Top of the Rock. All
of them have not only enriched the lives of 417-landers but also played a huge part in bringing stateand nation-wide tourists to southwest Missouri. And although his outdoorsy empire has flourished since
that spring day some 50 years ago, not much about Johnny has changed. This guy is truly fueled by
sharing his love of the outdoors and telling the story of what life was like long ago.
Johnny Morris (far left) fishes on the White River with his father, his mother and his Uncle Charles.
Some of Johnny’s most-treasured memories include family fishing trips he enjoyed during his
childhood years.
In 1972, Johnny Morris (far left) began selling tackle in the back of his father’s Brown Derby liquor
store. The tackle became a popular attraction, and Bass Pro Shops was born.
Humble Beginnings
What is now an outdoor enthusiast’s dream on the shores of Table Rock Lake began with a simple
passion for fishing. Johnny has been fishing in 417-land waterways since he was a child. “When I was
about 10 years old, I went to the opening of Table Rock Dam with my grandfather,” Johnny says. “We
watched the first water come up over the dam. It really changed the habitat for fishing here. A lot of our
favorite places on the river went away, but it created a whole new fishery.” As he grew through high
school and college, so did his love of the sport. “In 1970, I was going to school at SMS—or I was
supposed to be—but I was also fishing a lot,” Johnny says with a laugh. “During the first national B.A.S.S.
[Bass Anglers Sportsman Society] tournament, I met fishermen from all over the country. I knew when I
went to that tournament that all I wanted to do was fish or be around fishing.” This inspired Johnny to
rent a U-Haul trailer, travel across the country and fill it with the newest and most exceptional fishing
tackle he could find. When he returned to Springfield, he started selling the tackle out of his dad’s
Brown Derby Liquor Store. It was a hit, becoming popular for anglers who visited on their way to 417land lakes, and they began calling Johnny even after they returned home to ask him to send them some
of his specialized gear. To feed the growing demand, the first Bass Pro Shops catalog was created in
1974. And in 1978, the same year he turned 30, Johnny created and sold Bass Tracker, the industry’s
first fully accessorized, ready-to-fish boat, motor and trailer package.
In 1981, nearly 10 years after he originally opened Bass Pro Shops in the back of that Brown Derby store,
Morris opened a Bass Pro Shops outdoor destination store in Springfield. Since then, the company has
grown exponentially, and Bass Pro Shops has even been named one of the Top 10 Hottest Brands in
America along with M&Ms, iPad, Droid and others by Advertising Age magazine. According to Katie
Mitchell, the communications manager for Bass Pro Shops Group, it’s also among the top tourist
destinations in Missouri and one of the most popular outdoor retailers in the world. The 90 retail stores
and Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada host 116 million people per year.
But back in 1982, just as Johnny was in the thick of growing Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats, he met
his wife, Jeanie. “I was actually friends with his sisters, and we met through them,” Jeanie says. “John
was a bachelor, and he stayed busy fishing and building his business.” But as busy as he may have been,
he still took time to take Jeanie on some unforgettable dates that she still laughs about. “When we first
started dating, he had this old wallet,” she says. “It was a green nylon wallet with a Bass Pro logo on it,
and it had Velcro. Well, it always made that ‘ripppppp’ sound when he was getting ready to pay for
dinner,” she says. Jeanie bought Johnny a new leather wallet as a gift when the two spent their first
Christmas together. “He said, ‘Oh, this is cool…’” Jeanie says. “Well, he carried it for about two months,
and then he goes, ‘Hon, can I get my old wallet back?’” Now, 32 years later, Johnny still carries that
same Velcro wallet. “It still rips open—it’s a mess!,” Jeanie says. Her voice beams with pride as she talks
about her husband, and it’s obvious that she now knows that old wallet, along with many other quirks,
make Johnny the man she’s been in love with for more than 30 years. “He’s very friendly and very downto-earth,” Jeanie says. “He’s just such a good guy. I really got lucky.”
Johnny Morris, who has enjoyed fishing since he was a little boy, started fishing in tournaments
during his college years. Today, fishing is still one of his favorite pastimes.
Johnny first met his wife, Jeanie, in 1982. “I try as best as I can to keep things calm and comfortable
for him, because his life is busy and can be crazy at times,” Jeanie says.
A few years after he began selling Tracker Boats, Johnny Morris decided he wanted to offer his
customers a place to put their boats on the water. He began searching for properties on Table Rock
Lake, and he made a purchase in 1987. After the purchase, Johnny changed his plans of hosting boats
and created Big Cedar Lodge, which is now a first-class resort that attracts tourists from all across the
country.
Building a Tourism Empire
Tracker Marine Group, which manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising, has
produced the No. 1 selling brand of fishing boats for more than 36 years. But long before Tracker Boats
became so popular, and just a few years after he began selling them, Johnny decided it would be nice to
let customers try out their new purchases. “He said, ‘Well, these people are all coming to Springfield to
pick up their boats, and I’d love to have a place to host them, so they could put their boats in the
water,’” Jeanie says. He began to search for properties on nearby Table Rock Lake. “One Sunday, he said
he was going down to the lake for a land auction,” Jeanie says. In the meantime, she noticed an ad in the
newspaper for a piece of land nearby. “I called him and told him about it, so he could see it while he was
there,” she says. The auction deal didn’t work out, but Johnny fell in love with the property Jeanie had
found. “He called me up and said, ‘Hon, I love that place you found!,’” Jeanie says. “Then he took me out
there, and I thought, ‘Oh goodness. What did I do? This is in the middle of nowhere, and every building
has a different architecture.’” Not sure why Johnny was so intrigued by the land, Jeanie asked him what
they’d do to it. “He said, ‘Oh, just some fresh paint and new TVs,’” Jeanie says. They bought the place,
and it has since evolved into Big Cedar Lodge.
After purchasing the Big Cedar Lodge property in 1987, Johnny was inspired by the beauty of Table Rock
Lake and his own childhood memories of family fishing trips, so he forfeited his plans of being a fishing
host and instead created a place for families to reconnect with nature. Today, Big Cedar is fully equipped
for families with first-class rooms, cabins and lodges, fine dining restaurants, spa services, swimming
pools, golf courses and, of course, an unbeatable lake-front setting. And it has gained quite the
reputation over the years, being named one of the world’s best family hotels in the company of big
names such as Ritz-Carlton, Disney, Four Seasons and more by Travel + Leisure. It has also been
recognized as the No. 2 Top Resort in the Midwest by Conde Nast Traveler, the Best of the Best by The
Wall Street Journal and one of the Top 10 Resorts in the Country by Southern Living, among other
accolades.
Offering trails great for both hiking and biking, Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is a popular spot for
family outings.
Lampe’s Dogwood Canyon Nature Park features 10,000 beautiful acres filled with waterfalls, wildlife
and gorgeous landscapes.
In 1990, Johnny continued to expand his resume of properties when he acquired the first parcels of the
land that are now Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. Located in Lampe, Dogwood Canyon is a 10,000-acre
park that attracts local and national visitors to 417-land by offering hiking, biking, trout fishing, 3D
archery, tours and more. “I wanted to create a nature park where I could bring back some buffalo and
elk that were native to the area and also have a place for people to fish and hike,” Johnny says.
When you lump Dogwood Canyon with Big Cedar Lodge and Johnny’s newest property, Top of the Rock,
the three greatly contribute to southwest Missouri’s tourism and, in turn, economic health. “These
three destinations help shine a spotlight on southwest Missouri and the natural beauty of the Ozarks,”
says Missouri Division of Tourism Director Katie Steele
Danner. “When you have a resort property like Big Cedar, which is an outdoors enthusiast’s dream come
true, paired with attractions like those at Dogwood Canyon and Top of the Rock, you’re offering guests a
truly exceptional experience. And what’s great is, those experiences are found only in Missouri, and they
are the kinds of unique opportunities travelers seek.” In turn, this helps the overall economic well-being
of the entire region. “While travelers may tour or visit these sites specifically, they’re also eating at local
restaurants, staying at local lodging establishments and using other local services,” Steele Danner says.
“All of those activities generate revenue for local business while also providing jobs for working
Missourians.” Sheila Thomas, the Executive Director of the Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce,
agrees that the attractions bring a plethora of business to 417-land. “We feel extremely fortunate that
Johnny Morris has chosen to build some of his signature properties on Table Rock Lake,” she says. “I
think that he has really helped in putting Table Rock Lake on the radar for a lot of potential visitors. He
helped elevate it to a new level.”
The property where Top of the Rock is located sits at the highest point in Taney County and is
complete with a cave, waterfalls and great views of the rolling Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake.
Johnny Morris says Top of the Rock is the place where he can most easily relax. “I think Top of the
Rock is like my main blood pressure medicine,” he says. “On most mornings and evenings, I go there
before or after going to work. It’s very relaxing for me to walk through the woods there, or to work on
projects.”
The Birth of Top of the Rock
While building up his businesses both locally and nationally, Johnny’s life has always been on-the-go,
and he’s regularly meeting new people and forming new relationships. “Somewhere along the way, I got
to meet a grand gentleman by the name of Dr. M. Graham Clark,” Johnny says. “He was the president of
Hard Work U—College of the Ozarks.” Johnny and Dr. Clark became dear friends. As Dr. Clark and his
wife got up in their years, the college offered to allow them to live on the campus. “They were going to
sell their home,” Johnny says. “They owned 243 acres where Top of the Rock is.”
The nature enthusiast in Johnny loved the idea of owning the property, which sits at the highest point in
Taney County and commands a bluff overlooking the ruggedly serene Ozark Mountains and Table Rock
Lake. Also, it’s located just minutes from Big Cedar Lodge, which made it even more appealing for
Johnny. “He told me he paid $5 an acre for that land when he bought it in the 1940s, but he sure didn’t
sell it to me for that,” Johnny says, laughing. “But, besides making sure he got a fair price, Dr. Clark really
cared a lot about his land. We walked over every inch of that property before he agreed to sell it to me.
He showed me some springs and some caves and some big trees, and that’s how I really got my
attachment to it.”
After purchasing the property, Johnny asked Jeanie what she would like to do with it. “He asked me,
‘Hon, do you want to live there, or do you want to make it a restaurant,’” Jeanie says. “We have four
kids, and they were all in school at Springfield at the time, so I said, ‘Let’s make it a restaurant.’” Then in
1995, the original Top of the Rock was born, offering 417-landers fine dining with a side of world-class
views. But there was a fire at the restaurant in June 2005, and Top of the Rock closed. For the following
several years, the restaurant’s plans to reopen were rather hush hush. “People would say, ‘What the
heck is taking so long to open that restaurant after a pizza fire?’” Johnny says.
The buffalo sculpture at Top of the Rock was created from a variety of rusty objects by artist Greg
Congleton. While much of the body is made of larger pieces, the beard and hair were shaped from
metal shavings.
The Round Room in Osage Restaurant couples a cozy fireplace setting alongside a beautiful view of
Table Rock Lake.
The Big Reveal
After much anticipation and speculation from 417-landers, Johnny Morris’ Top of the Rock Ozarks
Heritage Preserve reopened in June 2014, and it became obvious what took so long: What used to be a
single restaurant is now an entire 462-acre property with four restaurants, a 2.5-mile nature trail and
cave, a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a practice course designed by Arnold Palmer, a Himalayan
putting green designed by Tom Watson, a natural history museum, an all-American wine cellar, a chapel,
a cabin and countless jaw-dropping views of Table Rock Lake and the surrounding landscape. And while
this landscape could be considered the star of the show, each and every building of Top of the Rock
competes. Everything was created with much thought and attention to detail. Every single beam on the
property was carefully hung, and each and every one of the thousands of stones was placed with the
utmost care. Everything is precisely manicured, and it all goes together to create a truly picture-perfect
masterpiece. It all just seems to belong, exactly as it is.
While many people credit Johnny for the breathtaking creation, he’s quick to shift the spotlight. “Top of
the Rock was—more than anything—created from passion, and a shared passion of a lot of great
craftsmen, a lot of them from right here,” Johnny says. “Over the years, while working on our stores and
down at Big Cedar Lodge, we’ve come to know a lot of remarkable craftsmen.” Johnny noted a few
individuals who played huge roles in the creation of the property, including general manager Tim Smith,
metal worker Tim Burrows, three generations of stone masons in the Blevins family and Danny Schwartz
and his family, who did much of the wood work and even moved Arnie’s Barn from its original location
in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, along with contractors Gary Shaver and Jim Wolfenberger. “Hopefully, people
can see the heartfelt attention to detail and passion from these craftsmen and the many others who
really put all their energy and years of training and talent to work at Top of the Rock,” Johnny says.
“Hopefully it’s something that will be here for people to enjoy for a long time to come.”
The Man Without a Plan
Perhaps the most mind-boggling part of Top of the Rock, aside from how such a breathtakingly beautiful
place exists right here in southwest Missouri, is that it and all of its parts were created without any real
set of plans. “When the original Top of the Rock closed after the fire, the chef said, ‘Well, we really need
a whole new kitchen,’” Jeanie says. “Well, one thing led to another, and here we are.” And Johnny
seconds that fact. “I don’t know that we had any sort of architectural plans,” he says. “We just started
off with a passion.” But, the truth behind the matter is, this wasn’t really anything out of the ordinary for
a Morris project. That’s just the way Johnny works. “He always knows what he’s doing, but the process
he uses to get there is totally different than most people,” Jeanie says. “He’s very hands-on.”
He’s so hands on, in fact, that he spent hundreds of enjoyable hours hiking and marking out the Lost
Canyon Nature Trail to bring visitors into close contact with dramatic natural features. “He’d go out
there with those little flags and fluorescent ties and mark which trees they could take out and where the
trail would be,” Jeanie says. “He loves doing that stuff.” And to help capture the most scenic views
possible, he also personally located each structure and approved every view from every window. “When
he’s building something, they almost always do a mock up,” Jeanie says. “Then he goes out there and
gets a forklift to get up and check the view from every opening and every window. He’s a nut about
views.” He also approves all other decisions, small and large, on everything from the design to the
décor.
But Johnny’s hands-on approach expands far beyond marking trails, approving views and okaying paint
colors. In fact, he’s had a part in nearly every other feature at every single building of Top of the Rock,
including finding many of the artworks, artifacts and thousands of arrowheads displayed in the Ancient
Ozarks Natural History Museum. “My wife says she’s going to put me in AA—Arrowheads Anonymous,”
Johnny says with a laugh. “We had a collection over at Dogwood, but then the building burned down,
and we lost them. I started thinking it would be pretty neat to share this new collection, but I didn’t
want to lose them like the old ones, so we put it all underground.”
This desire to share these many artifacts, shows the true face of Johnny’s character: Jeanie says sharing
is an underlying goal in everything he does. “People ask us, you know, ‘Why not just build your own
retreat?’” Jeanie says. “Well, that’s not the way he works. He wants to share everything.” And perhaps
the most charming part is that he’s quiet and humble, and he never wants to take any of the credit for
himself.
The Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at Top of the Rock celebrates the rich ancient history of
the Ozarks with a variety of artifacts, including a woolly mammoth skeleton. “One day, Johnny said to
me, ‘Hey, hon, look up and see if you can find me a woolly mammoth,’” Jeanie says. “I said ‘No, I can’t
find one. That’s crazy!’ Well, the next day, Debbie Bennett found him a woolly mammoth.” Bennett
was the second employee hired to work at Big Cedar Lodge and has worked with Johnny for 28 years.
The lower level of Top of the Rock’s Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum contains a variety of
Native American and Osage Indian artifacts and artwork.
SEE THE VIEWS
Top of the Rock
150 Top of the Rock Rd., Ridgedale, topoftherock.com
Cave tours: $10 for kids, $20 for adults
Big Cedar Lodge
612 Devil’s Pool Rd., Ridgedale, bigcedar.com
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park
2038 W. State Hwy. 86, Lampe, dogwoodcanyon.org
Prices vary by activity.
At press time, Johnny had an estimated net worth of $4.3 billion according to Forbes.com, but you
would never know it. He is a man who is most comfortable in jeans and a familiar frayed green corduroy
shirt. He’s more than content driving his well-worn Toyota pick-up truck, and he’s the kind of guy who
would rather rent golf clubs than splurge on a set of his own. His true passion doesn’t lie in flaunting his
money while wearing thousand-dollar suits; rather, it lies in sharing his fortunes with everyone else,
including his many properties. “I think where Top of the Rock sits now—overlooking the lake—is one of
the grandest views in the Ozarks,” Johnny says. “To me, the most important thing is that, when visitors
come here, they can see and appreciate that hilltop and enjoy all the views and the surrounding nature.”
And as for what’s next on his agenda, it’s hard to know exactly, but one thing is for sure: He isn’t going
anywhere. “I’ve been blessed to travel a lot of places, but I think we’re all lucky to live right here,”
Johnny says. “This is one of the most special places around.”
A recreation of James Earle Fraser’s “End of the Trail” sculpture stands proud in Top of the Rock’s
infinity pool. The sculpture here now is just a place holder—a bronze sculpture is currently being
made.
Top 10 Most Amazing Parts of Top of the Rock
While everything at Top of the Rock is a sight to behold, we made a list of our very favorite features.
When you visit, be sure to check them out.
1. The Bat Bar inside of Lost Canyon Cave
Wait, there’s an actual bar inside of a cave? Yes! This fun little spot offers guests the chance to grab a
quick, refreshing cave concoction before continuing on the rest of the 2.5-mile trail that weaves its way
through beautiful Ozarks landscape. The menu is filled with tasty treats like John L’s lemonade and Bat’s
Blood (a version of a bloody Mary).
2. The Native American sculpture on the infinity pool
Perhaps the most striking visual at Top of the Rock is the recreation of James Earle Fraser’s “End of the
Trail” sculpture. (The original sculpture is located in the National Cowboy Museum.) Standing proud in
Top of the Rock’s infinity pool, this recreation features an Indian who is slumped upon his tired horse,
signifying the weariness the Native Americans felt after much battling led to the forfeit of their land. The
sculpture you can see there now is just a place holder—a bronze sculpture is being made.
3. The Giant, Sprawling Wine Cellar
Perfect for hanging out before or after an evening meal, a gorgeous stone-lined stairwell leads from
Buffalo Bar Restaurant to the End of the Trail All-American Wine Cellar below. Filled with incredible
stonework and perfectly placed windows, this pleasant yet almost cave-like area is truly breathtaking.
More than 200 varieties of American wines fill the wine cellar rooms, which sit behind locally crafted
iron gates. Spaces in the cellar include a wine tasting bar, a whiskey room and a cigar and cognac room
and a banquet space. The spot is beautified with Amish hand-hewn beams and glass doors that open to
the infinity-edge pool that appears to flow into Table Rock Lake. The pool features the “End of the Trail”
bronze statue, which is where the wine cellar gets its name.
4. The Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum
Johnny Morris’ Top of the Rock Ozarks Heritage Preserve all stemmed from Johnny’s passion for the
Ozarks and its history. One of the many must-see attractions paying homage to this fact is the Ancient
Ozarks Natural History Museum, which celebrates the rich ancient history of the Ozarks with displays
created by Blue Rhino, the design team from the world-renowned Chicago Field Museum. The museum
is a chronological walk-through of the development of the Ozarks, and it contains carbon-dated
skeletons, true-to-life dioramas and several rooms featuring Native American and Osage Indian artifacts
and artwork. There are also Civil War historical items and interactive displays for guests.
5. Chip the Buffalo
While at a sidewalk art show in Scotsdale, Arizona, Johnny and Jeanie Morris spotted a buffalo created
from found rusty objects (above). As they watched passersby and saw the joy the buffalo brought to
everyone, they knew they wanted to bring the piece to Top of the Rock. Created by artist Greg
Congleton, the buffalo is nicknamed Chip and has become almost a mascot for the property. It contains
a variety of fun objects, including a French fry machine in the posterior. “The artist jokes that while most
buffalo make chips, this one makes French fries,” Jeanie says.
6. The Secret Doorways
If you’re looking to host a private function, you can rent the Osage Restaurant’s National Wild Turkey
Federation (NWTF) room, which overlooks the golf course’s ninth hole. And here’s the super-fun part:
You walk through a book case doorway to get in there! Once you’re inside, there’s another book case
that opens to a secret door and stone staircase that walks you out to the ninth hole.
7. The Giant Gar at the Gar Bar
The Gar Bar in Osage Restaurant features a massive mounted alligator gar that was taken by Johnny and
Jeanie’s son, John Paul Morris, while he was bow fishing with his dad in Trinity River in East Texas. The
gar was world-record setting at the time, measuring in at a length of 8 feet, 3 and ¾ inches, and it maxed
out the 250-pound scale they were using to weigh it.
8. The Arnold Palmer Driving Range
Arnold Palmer designed Top of the Rock’s driving range that features 16 target greens with synthetic
and natural grass and water features. It is an extraordinary site any time of day, but the coolest part is
that it’s fully lit and allows guests to golf until 10 p.m. Golfing at night? Yes please!
9. Arnie's Barn
Arnie’s Barn is a 150-year-old barn that was moved to Top of the Rock from Arnold Palmer’s hometown
in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The barn was deconstructed, piece by piece, by a local Amish family. The
pieces were numbered, and it was reassembled here in the Ozarks by local craftsmen. The structure
houses a Mexican restaurant that features incredible views of the Arnold Palmer Driving Range, and it’s
also home to the Top of the Rock Pro Shop. While you’re here, look over the bar to find a recordbreaking Marlin that was caught by Jack Nicklaus on a rod and reel!
10. Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail
When visiting Top of the Rock, the journey through Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail is a must. Visitors
ride in an electric cart through the 2.5-mile trail, which offers a series of stunning natural rock
formations, beautiful views of Table Rock Lake and the awe-inspiring Lost Canyon Cave. The centerpiece
of the four-story cave is a cascading waterfall. Yes, it’s as awesome as it sounds.
Upping the Golf Game
Complete with family-friendly features, designs by legendary golfers and even free-roaming buffalo, golf
courses located on Johnny Morris’s properties are bringing one-of-a-kind features to the 417-land golf
scene.
Last June, Top of the Rock was the first-ever par-3 course to be included in an official PGA Tour
tournament when it hosted the Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf presented by Bass Pro Shops.
Designed by the Pros
Top of the Rock Golf Course originally opened in the mid-1990s as a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course.
When the course reopened this year, it added a couple of legendary names to its repertoire with the
Arnold Palmer Driving Range and the Tom Watson Himalayan Putting Green. Designed by Palmer
himself, the driving range is completely synthetic with the exception of a bent grass tournament tee.
The St. Andrews Himalayan-inspired putting course was designed by Tom Watson and features 45,000
square feet of rolling undulation with an elevation drop of 20 feet from top to bottom and putting
greens as far as 200 feet in length.
Making History
Last June, Top of the Rock Golf Course made history as the first-ever par-3 course to be included in an
official PGA Tour tournament when it hosted the Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf presented by Bass Pro
Shops. According to Missouri Division of Tourism Director Katie Steele Danner, the course itself will help
drive increased visitation to 417-land, particularly in the form of golfers who are looking for a new
experience, and the tournament itself will also have an impact on the region. “We believe the southwest
Missouri region will benefit from the Bass Pro and PGA partnership for many years and that visitors will
come from across the country to be a part of the annual event,” Steele Danner says.
Where the Buffalo Roam
Buffalo Ridge Springs Course has undergone significant renovations, including an upgrade to all water
features and bunkers. But perhaps the most one-of-a-kind enhancement to this course is the
reintroduction of native grasses and American bison. Yes, bison. Playing a round on this course almost
feels like you are playing on a nature preserve, as you drive through tall prairie grasses and watch
buffalo roam on the ridge. The facility also has a new 8,000-square-foot putting green, a new clubhouse
and a cart barn built from Amish hand-hewn beams from 100-plus-year-old barns and cabins. The
driving range is currently being enhanced with the addition of target greens and bunkers.
Fun for the Family
Johnny Morris is partnering with golf icon Gary Player to create a new world-class, family-friendly golf
course on the property formerly known as Murder Rock. Set to open in 2015 as part of Big Cedar Lodge,
the goal of this 12-hole course is to use innovative and even non-traditional concepts to help attract
new golfers to the game and provide an enjoyable course that the entire family can play.
On the Horizon
There are a few things currently in the works at some of Johnny Morris’s well-known destinations.
Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Academy
Located on Highway 86 just a few miles past the Big Cedar Lodge entrance, this 1,200-acre property is
intended to give families even more options for outdoor activities. The academy plans to offer skeet
shooting and target practice incorporated with important safety lessons, and a clubhouse and outdoor
amphitheater sit at the center of the property.
Cedar Creek Spa at Big Cedar Lodge
Visitors to Big Cedar Lodge can soon enjoy being pampered at a new 18,000-square-foot world-class spa.
The English tutor-style spa is planned to feature hand-hewn timber ceilings, natural stone floors,
handcrafted stained glass accents and antique-style chandeliers. A grand double staircase leads guests
to one of 11 treatment rooms, and each room features its own cozy fireplace. A roaring fireplace also
serves as the dramatic backdrop for the saunas, hot spas and steam rooms leading out to private openair showers. The spa also features a full-service salon equipped with massaging pedicure chairs, custom
sofas and an old-fashioned barber chair for men’s grooming.
Dogwood Canyon Upgrades
Dogwood Canyon Nature Park features 10,000 acres of gorgeous Ozarks landscape and is filled with
everything from streams and waterfalls to caves and bluffs and even herds of buffalo, longhorn cattle
and elk, making it the perfect spot for enjoying a day outdoors. Thanks to 6.2 miles of paved trails, the
park is a great spot for hiking and biking, and guests can also enjoy trout fishing, 3D archery, Segway
tours, wildlife tram tours, horseback riding and fly fishing. And there’s soon to be more! At press time, a
few of the latest upgrades were in the works, including adding a new general store with a working grist
mill as well as a restaurant and an education center. “Hopefully school kids can go there and have
indoor and outdoor classrooms,” Johnny says.