If you're an avid golfer and you are looking for that unique golf
experience, you need to look no further then the Turning Stone Casino
in Verona.
A short two hours from downtown Saratoga, it boasts of three of the top golf courses in the Northeast, designed by three of the most renowned architects in the country. Rick Smith, Tom Fazio and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and all within a five-mile radius, it doesn't get any better than that. Built on the Oneida Indian Reservation, the courses bear Indian names (a couple I haven't been able to master yet), but in the very near future they will be household names in the family of golf.
What makes them more unique is that they were non-existent as little as nine years ago. The first golf course, the Shenendoah, designed by Rick Smith opened for play in May of 2000 and its praises are still being heard throughout our national publications heralding it as one of our country's best public golf courses. Shenendoah is best noted for its wide- open, meticulously groomed fairways with an assortment of wetlands, fields of native festive grasses, sweeping landscapes and deep wood areas.
It should be noted that all three courses are very user-friendly, each with five sets of tees. A golfer's ability to "know thy self" and select the right tee suited to their game will "make" the day more enjoyable for everyone. The range for all courses is between 5100 yards to a maximum of 7315 yards on the Atunyote course.
The courses are all distinctively different reflecting the personality of the architect. The Kaluhyat (ga LU yut), an Indian word meaning "the other side of the sky," was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and opened in August of 2003. The name reflects the impressive landscape that includes several plateau settings offering seemingly boundless displays of nature at its finest. By using the natural resources of a prime piece of property, Jones was able to give golfers the feeling the course has been in place for a century or more. The overall result is that it is a classic shot maker's course that rewards precision ball striking and acute strategy.
The latest addition is the Atunyote. Atunyote (uh Dune-yote) is an Oneida word that means "Eagle." While the other two courses border each other and are on the main Casino property, the Atunyote Golf Club is located several miles away on its own piece of dramatic real estate. Purposely selected by Tom Fazio, the foremost architect in the country today, he saw his vision of a parkland-type course unfold as he incorporated dead wood marsh, a natural rock formation with several lakes, streams and small waterfalls. The largest body of water, measuring 13 acres, runs along three fairways including the dramatic par 5 547 yard (white tees) finishing hole.
Golfers know they have found something special when they locate the secluded course and pass through a custom-designed and crafted Iron Gate and traverse a winding two mile entryway leading to a beautiful New England-style clubhouse. No wonder Travel & Leisure Golf magazine listed it among their Ten Best New Public/Resort Courses in the world.
Certainly the best way to enjoy their magnificent courses is to plan a three-day vacation and stay at the resort proper and enjoy all the amenities including a chance at the gaming tables. A lucky night and your green fees are paid for. But there is so much else to do besides gambling: high quality entertainment, great gift shops, a visit to the new Golf Dome, a fully-equipped practice facility, with lessons available by a well-trained golf professional or dine in one of 6 available restaurants.
Particularly appealing was the Rodizio Churrascaria, a Brazilian steakhouse featuring succulent slow-roasted meats. The waiters come to your table with a variety of meats on gigantic skewers. Turn your rock up (found on table) he starts carving; turn your rock down, he moves on. But make sure you bring your appetite for the waiter will stand there all night. The cost for the evening is one price at $28.95 and includes an enormous salad bar.
Going to the Turning Stone Resort to enjoy three world-acclaimed golf courses is more than golf; it's a lifetime experience for the golfing devotee. And for that experience you should expect to pay a little bit more in green fees. The Shenendoah and Kaluhyote courses have the same rate: $120 for guests, $150 for non-guests, including the cart and use of the facilities. To play the new Atunyote course, the greens fee is increased to $225 for guests and $250 for non-guests. The fee includes cart, lunch in the Clubhouse or delivered to you on the course, bottled water on the cart and a sleeve of logo balls.
Is it worth it? That is an individual decision. I do know the days I played the courses there was no shortage of golfers. Avid golfers are willing to pay for high-ended golf courses, for the privilege of being treated like a king/queen for a day. To play Pebble Beach, for example, is now $475. At that price Turning Stone sounds like a bargain and the courses are in better shape and much more playable than their West Coast counterpart. But don't despair! The wise golfer will check their website - www.turning-stone.com/golf/ and search for those special deals that they continually offer. The Turning Stone is also affected by today's economy. Why not take advantage of them?
We in the Capital District are in a unique situation. We don't have to stay overnight. Verona (Exit 33) is an easy day trip and we don't need to play all three courses at once, but can spread it out over the summer and fall. I am willing to bet if you play one you will eventually play all three, particularly if you want to impress that special someone on a dream golf vacation.
The question often asked is "What course did you enjoy most?" That is like asking me which one of my grandchildren do I like the best. I loved them all. And I'm sure you will feel the same way about three great golf courses so close to home. And remember the prices I quoted you are in season (July through September 15). But like most golf courses, I'm sure the price will drop in late fall and early spring. Now is the time to make plans for that special day or two in a golfer's paradise.
What makes them more unique is that they were non-existent as little as nine years ago. The first golf course, the Shenendoah, designed by Rick Smith opened for play in May of 2000 and its praises are still being heard throughout our national publications heralding it as one of our country's best public golf courses. Shenendoah is best noted for its wide- open, meticulously groomed fairways with an assortment of wetlands, fields of native festive grasses, sweeping landscapes and deep wood areas.
It should be noted that all three courses are very user-friendly, each with five sets of tees. A golfer's ability to "know thy self" and select the right tee suited to their game will "make" the day more enjoyable for everyone. The range for all courses is between 5100 yards to a maximum of 7315 yards on the Atunyote course.
The courses are all distinctively different reflecting the personality of the architect. The Kaluhyat (ga LU yut), an Indian word meaning "the other side of the sky," was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. and opened in August of 2003. The name reflects the impressive landscape that includes several plateau settings offering seemingly boundless displays of nature at its finest. By using the natural resources of a prime piece of property, Jones was able to give golfers the feeling the course has been in place for a century or more. The overall result is that it is a classic shot maker's course that rewards precision ball striking and acute strategy.
The latest addition is the Atunyote. Atunyote (uh Dune-yote) is an Oneida word that means "Eagle." While the other two courses border each other and are on the main Casino property, the Atunyote Golf Club is located several miles away on its own piece of dramatic real estate. Purposely selected by Tom Fazio, the foremost architect in the country today, he saw his vision of a parkland-type course unfold as he incorporated dead wood marsh, a natural rock formation with several lakes, streams and small waterfalls. The largest body of water, measuring 13 acres, runs along three fairways including the dramatic par 5 547 yard (white tees) finishing hole.
Golfers know they have found something special when they locate the secluded course and pass through a custom-designed and crafted Iron Gate and traverse a winding two mile entryway leading to a beautiful New England-style clubhouse. No wonder Travel & Leisure Golf magazine listed it among their Ten Best New Public/Resort Courses in the world.
Certainly the best way to enjoy their magnificent courses is to plan a three-day vacation and stay at the resort proper and enjoy all the amenities including a chance at the gaming tables. A lucky night and your green fees are paid for. But there is so much else to do besides gambling: high quality entertainment, great gift shops, a visit to the new Golf Dome, a fully-equipped practice facility, with lessons available by a well-trained golf professional or dine in one of 6 available restaurants.
Particularly appealing was the Rodizio Churrascaria, a Brazilian steakhouse featuring succulent slow-roasted meats. The waiters come to your table with a variety of meats on gigantic skewers. Turn your rock up (found on table) he starts carving; turn your rock down, he moves on. But make sure you bring your appetite for the waiter will stand there all night. The cost for the evening is one price at $28.95 and includes an enormous salad bar.
Going to the Turning Stone Resort to enjoy three world-acclaimed golf courses is more than golf; it's a lifetime experience for the golfing devotee. And for that experience you should expect to pay a little bit more in green fees. The Shenendoah and Kaluhyote courses have the same rate: $120 for guests, $150 for non-guests, including the cart and use of the facilities. To play the new Atunyote course, the greens fee is increased to $225 for guests and $250 for non-guests. The fee includes cart, lunch in the Clubhouse or delivered to you on the course, bottled water on the cart and a sleeve of logo balls.
Is it worth it? That is an individual decision. I do know the days I played the courses there was no shortage of golfers. Avid golfers are willing to pay for high-ended golf courses, for the privilege of being treated like a king/queen for a day. To play Pebble Beach, for example, is now $475. At that price Turning Stone sounds like a bargain and the courses are in better shape and much more playable than their West Coast counterpart. But don't despair! The wise golfer will check their website - www.turning-stone.com/golf/ and search for those special deals that they continually offer. The Turning Stone is also affected by today's economy. Why not take advantage of them?
We in the Capital District are in a unique situation. We don't have to stay overnight. Verona (Exit 33) is an easy day trip and we don't need to play all three courses at once, but can spread it out over the summer and fall. I am willing to bet if you play one you will eventually play all three, particularly if you want to impress that special someone on a dream golf vacation.
The question often asked is "What course did you enjoy most?" That is like asking me which one of my grandchildren do I like the best. I loved them all. And I'm sure you will feel the same way about three great golf courses so close to home. And remember the prices I quoted you are in season (July through September 15). But like most golf courses, I'm sure the price will drop in late fall and early spring. Now is the time to make plans for that special day or two in a golfer's paradise.
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