Golf at Turning Stone Fuels Record-Breaking Tourism in 2023
Increase of 40% in Overnight Trips by Golfers Traveling From 44 States
Upstate New York’s premier destination resort generated a 40% increase in overnight golf trips this season with golfers traveling from 44 states and several countries to experience the region and golf at Turning Stone. The rounds of golf played at Turning Stone’s three 18-hole championship courses also increased by more than 15%. This record-breaking year for golf tourism coincides with a historic investment into the evolution of Turning Stone, which includes a brand-new Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf practice area that will be open for the 2024 season.
Oneida Indian Nation Homelands (November 7, 2023) – As Turning Stone prepares to wrap the 2023 golf season, the award-winning destination resort announced today it had its third consecutive record-breaking golf season and continues to drive golf tourism for the region. Turning Stone saw a 40% increase in overnight golfing trips this year with golfers traveling to the region from 44 different states and several countries including Australia, England, Japan and Spain. The number of rounds played at Turning Stone’s three 18-hole championship courses – Atunyote, Kaluhyat and Shenendoah – were also up this year, increasing by more than 15%.
This record-breaking year for golf tourism coincides with another historic investment into the evolution of Turning Stone. The $370 million investment into Upstate New York’s world-class resort is the largest expansion of the property ever. The evolution includes the addition of NY REC & Social Club, a new nightlife and sports lounge destination. The Turning Stone Evolution will also include a new Conference Center that will double the resort’s existing convention and meeting spaces, a brand-new 250-room hotel called The Crescent, and new seafood restaurant SALT Seafood & Raw Bar with a menu developed by Turning Stone’s award-winning culinary team.
Also part of the Turning Stone Evolution is the construction of a brand-new Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed golf practice area, who also designed Kaluhyat golf course. Set to open for the 2024 season, the new practice area is located near Shenendoah Clubhouse and includes a 300-yard driving range, featuring five target greens with bunkers that replicate shots golfers take on the course. The practice area also includes a short game area with a large putting green and a chipping area and a bunker. Adding to an already impressive golf experience, the new practice area will allow golfers to hone their skills, whether warming up before hitting the course, getting golf instruction from one of Turning Stone’s on-staff PGA Professionals or getting fitted for new custom clubs.
Turning Stone opened its first 18-hole course – Shenendoah – more than two decades ago and continues to evolve the golf experience. Now with more than 70 golf employees, including many who are PGA Professionals, five golf courses, a state-of-the-art Golf Dome with one of the only indoor short game practice facilities in the country and an expansive Golf Superstore that offers the newest apparel, Turning Stone’s golf experience has been touted among the best in the country. Turning Stone golfers can also experience the newly expanded – and completely remodeled – club fitting facility inside the Golf Superstore. The expanded custom-fitting options now offers more than 200 additional shafts and 150 club heads, increasing the fitting possibilities to more than 25,000 custom combinations.
Earlier this year, Forbes Travel Guide, the world’s leading authority in hospitality and luxury travel, and Boardroom Magazine announced Turning Stone Resort Casino earned the Distinguished Golf Destination Award for 2023. Developed by a committee of industry leaders, the Distinguished Golf Destination award is among the most prestigious designations a golf course can achieve and the only golf award that recognizes the overall golf experience. Turning Stone has also been recognized by several other industry leaders, including Golf Digest’s Editors’ Choice Award for Best Golf Resorts in the Northeast, Casino Player Magazine named Turning Stone the #1 Best Golf Course in New York, Golf Digest ranked all three of Turning Stone’s 18-hole courses in its “Best Courses you Can Play in New York,” and Northeast Golf Magazine recognized Turning Stone with three of its Best in Golf Awards: Best Travel Resorts & Destinations, Best Public Golf Courses and Best Instructors in New York.
