Turning Stone Reopens the New Shenendoah Golf Course, Redesigned to Elevate the Golf Experience by Offering a Unique Layout and New Design Features

The Shenendoah redesign was part of a multi-million dollar investment in the award-winning resort, reflecting Turning Stone’s continued commitment to being a world-class destination. In its first full season, the redesign of the resort’s original 18-hole course includes seven new holes and a reimagined layout that enhances the course’s design variety, routing, shot variety and memorability.

With sunshine and warmer weather finally heading to Central New York, the 2017 golf season at Turning Stone is in full swing after a nearly year-long redesign of Shenendoah golf course. With seven new holes and a reimagined layout that enhances the course’s design variety, routing, shot variety and memorability, Shenendoah provides a whole new experience for any level golfer. A tourism industry leader, the redesign at Shenendoah was part of a multi-million dollar investment in the award-winning resort, which also included an all new gaming floor, redesigned Tower hotel rooms and enhancements to the resort’s diverse restaurant and entertainment offerings.  Original course architect Rick Smith, in partnership with Turning Stone, returned to oversee the Shenendoah redesign project.

Previously awarded as one of the top courses by Golfweek, Golf Magazine, Golf Digest and others, the vision for Shenendoah, Turning Stone’s original 18-hole course, was one of evolution and growth. The course’s already favorable charm, aesthetics and outstanding guest experience served as the foundation for new aesthetic features, unique layout tweaks and exciting tests of skill.

The updated course features seven new holes: No. 3 and 4 on the front nine, and No. 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 on the back nine. Already an exceptional course, the redesign aimed to add more character and elevate the overall golf experience by refining Shenendoah’s routing and enhancing the design variety, shot variety and memorability. 

“Golf is an integral part of the experience here at Turning Stone and attracts people from around the country.  We wanted to evolve that experience and make it even better than it was before,” said Miles Blundell, Director of Golf Operations at Turning Stone. “As the original architect, Rick was able to take the best features from the original course and seamlessly combine them with new elements, characteristics and challenges, while also retaining everything guests love about Shenendoah.”

The new holes on the front nine are a prime example of how Smith blended key elements of the previous layout into the new design, creating a seamless experience. Hole No. 3 leads easily into No. 4, which is a new Par 5 created using the green from No. 14 on the old course.

Moving onto the back nine, guests will be struck by five new holes and at the ease of gameplay. The run of new holes on the back nine begins with the Par 3, No. 12, known as “Pond View.” Players can take aim for birdie while admiring the scenic landscape, accentuated with a beautiful pond behind the green and a fairway lined to the right with large American dogwood trees. This is followed by No. 13, “White Pine,” a majestic Par 4, with the new tee box sitting behind another large pond as tall white pines, which symbolize the Oneida Nation’s commitment to peace.

The new No. 14, “Snapping Turtles Passage,” a gorgeous Par 3, ups the ante with a layout that demands a precise tee shot with four bunkers and another water feature surrounding the green. This builds to the brand new, reachable Par 4, No. 16, “Red Maple,” at 291 yards from the furthest tee, rewards players that are looking for an eagle opportunity. An emphasis of the redesign, several new holes, including No. 16, allow guests to use a wider variety of clubs and to go for the green in certain situations.

Already a guest favorite, the breathtaking No. 17, a Par 4 known as “Whitetail Deer,” presents tall fescue grass near the tee boxes and a fairway that doglegs to the right, curving around a beautiful water feature near the green. Untouched by the redesign, No. 18, “Apple Orchard,” ends the course on a picturesque note. A Par 5 featuring apple and pear orchards, creeks and wetlands, Hole No. 18 drives home the natural beauty of the course.

Shenendoah’s spectacular natural setting offers guests a truly unique round of golf. With its range of open pastures and wooded-parkland holes, the course’s redesign maintains all of its original charm and character while also allowing players more variety in shots and superior aesthetics.

Turning Stone and Smith have the goal of making Shenendoah a top 100 golf course, alongside Turning Stone’s Atunyote and Kaluhyat, which are already ranked as top 100 courses.  With three courses in the top 100, Turning Stone would join only four other resorts – Pebble Beach, Pinehurst, Kohler, and Bandon Dunes. Enhancing the guest experience through its world-class golf, gaming and accommodations is the resort’s top priority, and it shows in this new layout.