Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Nemacolin Woodlands - So Much More Than Golf

Nemacolin Woodlands, tucked away in southwestern Pennsylvania, is home to a remarkable golf course - Mystic Rock - but offers so much more. From fine dining and 5-star accommodations, to rustic outdoor adventure and a cigar bar ... this resort has it all.

Mystic Rock
First things first - golf. Designed by the living legend Pete Dye, Mystic Rock is a par-72 layout that played host to the PGA TOUR’s finest from 2000-2006. Winners included World Golf Hall of Fame member Vijay Singh (2004) and 2003 Open Champion Ben Curtis (2006).

Stretching to 7,526 yards (149 slope) from the tips, Mystic Rock is all the course anyone could desire. Five sets of tees - shrinking to 4,848 yards - make Mystic Rock playable by even novice golfers, however.

Among the many accolades Mystic Rock has received are “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses” and “American’s Top 50 Courses for Women” by Golf Digest, as well as “America’s 100 Best Resort Golf Courses” by Golfweek.

Joining Mystic Rock is The Links - a more manageable option for golfers looking to enjoy a round of golf. At just 6,658 yards from the tips, this par-70 track isn’t long by today’s standards, but still offers challenging greens and hazards are plentiful.

Worried your game isn’t ready for either course? Lessons are available at the Nemacolin Golf Academy, which has ties to professional golfer (and son of a World Golf Hall of Famer) Wayne Gary Player.

Fatbird SuperFlyer
As promised in the opening, this is not merely a golf resort. For the guests who love the outdoors, there's the Nemacolin Field Club, which weaves through 140-acres of woodlands, valleys and pastures in the Laurel Highlands Mountains. The Club includes The Shooting Academy (sporting clays), Orvis Fly Fishing Center, archery and air rifle.

For those interested in guided pheasant and chukar hunts, look at the Upland Bird Packages, which are available September through April. Guided turkey hunts also are offered.

The greatest array of guest offerings are in the resort's Adventure Center. The Fatbird SuperFlyer is a race of dueling ziplines, reaching speeds of 60 mph high above the slopes at Mystic Mountain. During the warmer months, the Sundial Lodge is the centralized hub for the Adventure Center and Mystic Mountain. The Sundial also features: Apex, a restaurant and bar, an eight-lane bowling alley, arcade games, a rental shop, retail shop and more.

There's the Jeep Off-Road Driving Academy for the do-it-yourself adventure crowd, or "Ride Alongs," which are 30-minute sessions of off-roading with an experienced driver.
Zipline tours, a 50-foot climbing wall, disc golf, a downhill mountain bike trail, miniature golf, The Hardy Girls Gymnasium, Little Tykes Ropes Course, paintball - both target and combat - and tennis are also available.

Prefer a more tranquil activity? Enjoy a relaxing hot-rock massage at the Woodlands Spa. There are myriad offerings there, as well as some recovery time at the resort's Holistic Healing Center. With inner beauty taken care of, guests can turn their attention outward at the salon and Kidz Spa.

Falling Rock
While staying at Nemacolin Woodlands, you have a wide variety of accommodations from which to choose. Underline and bold WIDE. From 5-star service - complete with a butler service - at Falling Rock to the more common Chateau and Lodge, there’s an option for any budget. You can also rent townhomes or luxury homes, or connect your recreational vehicle at Maggie Valley RV Park.

The resort is pet friendly, too. While the two-bedroom townhomes provide an on-location option for pets, there’s also Nemacolin Wooflands Resort & Spa if you’re interested in pampering your dog while on vacation.

Last, but certainly not least, Nemacolin Woodlands is flush with dining opportunities. There’s fine dining at spots like Aqueos and the Sunset Terrace, which focuses on regional cuisine and reducing our carbon footprint. Lautrec is another option, with a stellar set menu for a set price. There are plenty of casual and pool-side dining and bars, as well, including the Cigar Bar, which features a nice selection of bourbons, scotches and cognacs.

Nemacolin Woodlands is a scenic drive from major cities in the Northeast or just a quick trip from Pittsburgh International Airport for those flying in. Whatever mode of transportation you choose, this resort is worth the trip and will not disappoint.

Find out more and plan your trip at www.nemacolin.com.

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