With plenty to do here, golf still seems to be the main attraction, and rightfully so. The Homestead is home to two high-caliber golf courses: The Old Course and The Cascades. Collectively, both courses have been around for over 200 years, yet have stood the test of time. Names such as Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones, William Flynn, and Rees Jones have built and rebuilt them. They have been updated and restored over the years including lengthening and adapting to keep up with changes in golf equipment technology.
One of the most famous golfers to ever play on the PGA Tour, Sam Snead, lived in or near Hot Springs for his entire life, and for several decades was the Homestead's golf pro. The Sam Snead Tavern – adjacent to The Homestead – contains memorabilia from his career. Rumor has it that Sneed landed the head pro job after he gave one of the member’s wives a lesson and she told the owners it was the best golf lesson she had ever had. He was offered the job the next day!
Thanks to the routing skills of William Flynn, the Cascades is annually ranked as one of the top courses in the country. Because of the routing, a full variety of shot-making is required, and Flynn’s courses will test a player’s accuracy, carry, and length.
The Cascades is a unique layout for a couple of reasons. First, there are no houses on the course. Second, a mountain stream winds its way throughout the layout, bringing water into play on a few holes. Third, the course finishes 3-5-5-3. Enough said!
Course knowledge goes a long way in scoring well on the Cascades too. For example, golfers with course knowledge of The Cascades know that on the 274-yard par 4 3rd hole, the club to hit off the tee is NOT driver! Those of us with little or no course knowledge will try and force a driver between the trees on either side of the fairway. The green is perched upon a shelf, hence the name “Shelf.” Any approach shot that does not make it up the hill onto the putting surface may well roll back down.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing golf getaway with your spouse, or you’re the person in charge of planning golf trips, there are several reasons to consider The Omni Homestead Resort. First, obviously, is the tremendous golf courses and the opportunity to play on courses that have hosted a number of professional and national tournaments and championships. It’s not often you’ll find two courses of this caliber that both end with a par 3! Best of all, you don’t have to be an elite golfer to enjoy the courses. And, when things aren’t going well on the course, just look around and take in everything you see. I played in the spring and with tall trees everywhere, I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the fall.
Secondly, there is a lot more to a “golf vacation” these days than golf. The Homestead has so much more to offer such as a refreshing bath in the mineral springs and the opportunity to shoot clays at the home of the 1992 U.S. Open Sporting Clays Championship. Or take an electric mountain bike ride around the property. And we haven’t even mentioned the dining opportunities at the resort which are numerous.
Most importantly are the people at the Omni Homestead Resort. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and will treat you better than the golf...
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