Story and images by Jason Bruno
A visit to Nemacolin is an opportunity to experience more than just fantastic Golf, it’s an upscale luxury destination that provides unique and lasting memories for families, and couples looking for the ideal getaway. Located in the picturesque Laurel Highlands, Nemacolin is a 2200-acre wonderland of rolling terrain along the Allegheny Mountains created by Joseph Hardy III in 1987 (The Hardy Family owns 84 Lumber Company) that includes 36 holes of magnificent Pete Dye golf, and so much more. Two years ago, the resort celebrated its 35th anniversary and earned 22 Forbes Stars for the third consecutive year with renovations to its Grand Lodge. Nemacolin Resort was the site of the ABC television network’s 25th season of The Bachelor (2021).
Let’s start with the two Pete Dye golf designs . . .
Mystic Rock
Mystic Rock was the original course built at the resort by Pete Dye and Tim Liddy. Dye has been known for creating magic from very uninspiring parcels of land (like Whistling Straits, and TPC Sawgrass), but the land in the western Pennsylvania Mountainside is awe-inspiring. Mystic Rock is everything that’s good about Dye Golf Courses when Pete was given a worthy piece of property. The biggest challenge here was the number of massive boulders throughout the property. It was a labor intensive project, but Dye managed to create generous corridors off the tee, with a routing that moves in a myriad of directions.
The approaches allow for the creative shot-maker to shine on the former site of the PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic 2003-2006 – Just over three years ago, a renovation of Mystic Rock’s bunkers, playing surfaces and tee boxes were completed By Pete Dye associate Tim Liddy overseeing the project.
Shepard’s Rock
Shepard’s Rock (opened for play in 2017) is a completely different flavor of Dye golf, more of the modern Pete. The site lines on Shepard’s Rock are wider. Yet, they are also a bit visually deceptive, requiring local knowledge and careful thought on club selection and where you can challenge the well-protected and boldly undulated green sites. This is where the resort’s caddie staff shines, we highly recommend their loopers.
In a recent interview, Director of Golf Chris Anderson offered up his thoughts on the two courses – “Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock to me are so different in the design concepts, you can see how Pete Dye designed courses in the 90s and how he was designing courses as his career was winding down. We basically offer two different time frames in his career. Mystic Rock (which opened in 1995) is a tighter, narrowed-fairway course with subtle greens. A little more shot-making and angles come into play there. We have tees for everybody. The bunkering on Mystic is a lot different than Shepherd’s as well – they’re a lot grander in size. Shepherd’s (which opened in 2017) has 10 more acres of fairways, so they’re a lot bigger and wider. There are more fescue areas and bunkering, as I mentioned, there are more, pot-style and smaller bunkers. The kind he used later in his career. It’s a little shorter, but the front side is a lot longer than the back. It also offers tees for every level of play.”
Golf Academy
The Nemacolin Golf Academy is led by Mike LaBella, Golf Digest’s Best Young Teacher In America, 2023. The academy features all of the latest tech to get you swinging your best – Trackman simulators, range and analysis, Swing Catalyst Balance & Dual Force Plates, Foresight GCQuad Launch Monitor, as well as full club fitting services.
Lodging
Lodging at Nemacolin may be the toughest decision to make, all of the 280 guest rooms offer unparalleled luxury and comfort, but can’t go wrong with any of the options – The Chateau, The Grand Lodge, Falling Rock (above), and private lodging at The Homes, and The Estates. All offer world-class accommodations and amenities.
We stayed at the magnificent Falling Rock, a boutique hotel overlooking the golf pro shop, practice facility, and the 18th at Mystic Rock – note the PGA Tour scoreboard in the distance that still stands today (above).
Drink & Dine
The Circle Bar (above) is the ideal social spot to enjoy your favorite before or after-dinner cocktails. The Hardy Room and Amber Bar are two other places to kick back and enjoy the finer things in life – like a rare vintage Havana cigar and drink of your choice.
Dining at Nemacolin is as you’d expect, amazing. Lautrec (above), Aqueous, Fawn and Fable, The Royale, The Mulligan, and The Peak, which features casual cuisine and breathtaking views. Their latest offering – Gusto! is an Italian-themed experience that just opened its doors this fall . . .
The menu includes wood-fired pizzas, freshly made pastas, delicious desserts, and an assortment of Italian wines and cocktails served in a comfortably casual setting.
A worthy spot for an after-dinner treat is the 50’s style PJ’s Ice Cream Parlor. The Bleu Room located just beyond the lobby of The Chateau, is an ultra-exclusive parlor (a secret room of sorts) created for those who desire an afternoon Tea service (featuring an assortment of teas and delicious treats) in a one of a kind setting. It’s a place that words cannot adequately describe and must be experienced.
Other Activities
Aside from the links, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy Off-Road Jeep Driving, Fly-Fishing, Rod & Range, Wildlife Adventures, The Peak (Paintball, Rock Climbing Wall, Ropes Course and Cosmic Bowling), Safari Tour, Axe Throwing, and Whitewater Rafting. Other activities include the Spa treatments (above), Antique Auto showroom, and Cooking Class with world-renowned chefs.
After Hours Entertainment
After-hours entertainment can be had at the resort’s night blub, appropriately known as – Nightcap. This late-night lounge serves your favorite libations, delicious bites, and decadent desserts as the ideal partner to a jazz club atmosphere and outstanding cabaret performances inspired by vintage glamour.
It’s simply not possible to experience everything that Nemacolin has to offer in one visit. If the finer things in life are of interest to you, Nemacolin Resort is a MUST visit. Experience it for yourself . . .
For more info on Nemacolin Resort: https://www.nemacolin.com/
