Atunyote and two other championship-caliber courses at Turning Stone Resort Casino have been named by Golfweek magazine as three of the best golf courses in the United States. 

In rankings that were published this week, Golfweek ranked Atunyote as the top casino golf course in the Northeast, and No. 8 in the nation. 

Golfweek is a national golf magazine that is part of Gannett’s USA Today network. 

The Tom Fazio-designed course, named after the Oneida word for “eagle,” features vast stretches of open space, gently rolling hills, a stream of small waterfalls, and several lakes. The course has hosted the PGA Professional National Championship and the BC Open. It also was the home of the Turning Stone Resort Championship.

Two other Turning Stone golf courses also made Golfweek’s Top 50: Shenendoah came in at No. 32 and Kaluhyat at No. 44. Miles Blundell, director of golf and recreation, said these honors make Turning Stone the only resort destination in the northeast with such highly regarded golf amenities, making it the perfect destination for golf getaways.

“Golf is a major part of the experience here at Turning Stone, and to know that Atunyote, Shenendoah, and Kaluhyat are so highly regarded on a national scale is a testament to everything we strive to accomplish,” he said. “These honors prove what we have known for years: If you love to golf or you love someone who does, Turning Stone is the best place to visit.”

Designed by world-renowned architects, each of Turning Stone Resort Casino's three award-winning golf courses are conditioned and provide the ultimate experience for the golf enthusiast to the professional golfer. The courses have collected numerous awards since their individual openings. They also have hosted PGA Tour events and top-tier amateur and collegiate tournaments.

Atunyote, which measures a total of 7,315 yards from the back tees, is particularly spectacular. A bronze eagle sculpture greets golfers as they approach. A sprawling clubhouse sits at the top of a hill—on a clear day from the covered porch, one can see for miles.

The parkland design and pristine lakes combine to give the course an idyllic feel.

Earlier this year, Atunyote was ranked as one of Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses in the country. The course also was on that list from 2011-2014.

The recent Golfweek rankings focused on courses owned and/or operated by or in conjunction with casinos, with data pulled from Golfweek‘s massive database of course rankings. Members of Golfweek’s rankings panel constantly evaluate courses and rate them based on 10 different criteria. They also file a single, overall rating on each course.

Looking forward, the golf experience at Turning Stone will get even better; in 2024 the resort will unveil a new driving range and new practice area. These additions are part of a $370-million evolution at Turning Stone that will unfold over the next two years. By 2026 the resort will add a new lounge and sports book, a new hotel tower, a new restaurant, a 77,000-square-foot conference center, onsite medical care for employees, and more.