If you’re in the minority like me, America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses is a fun article to regularly read. In this article, you receive a snapshot of courses like Nemacolin Resort Mystic Rock and dream of the incredible shots you’ll hit on the course. Or is that just me? At any rate, the U.S. has an interesting lineup of courses that make this list and are fun to play.
After a recent golf trip to Nemacolin Resort, I can attest that Mystic Rock, and I would argue Shepherd’s Rock, deserve a spot on America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses list. Other courses I’ve played in the top 100 include #8 Bethpage Black, #20 Streamsong Red, #25 Omni Homestead Resort Cascades Course, #26 Streamsong Blue, #34 Streamsong Black, #37 The Greenbrier Old White Course, #36 Torrey Pines South Course, #38 Fallen Oak, #60 Old Waverly Golf Club, #61 Tullymore Golf Course, #63 Mossy Oak, #66 Red Sky Ranch Norman, #79 Red Sky Ranch Fazio, and #97 Poipu Bay Golf Course.
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Best Credit Cards to Use at Streamsong Nemacolin Resort
Most of the transactions I incurred at Nemacolin Resort were coded as “travel” on my credit card statement. For the transactions that didn’t code as travel such as lunch at Falling Rock restaurant and drinks from the golf beverage cart, each of these transactions were coded as “food and drink” on my credit card statement.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best credit cards to use for travel purchases. Cardmembers earn 3x points in the travel category. For food and drink, otherwise known as restaurants or dining by credit card companies, the Amex Gold Card is at the top of my list of cards to use for this spending. This card earns 4x points on dining and restaurant purchases.
How to Get to Nemacolin Resort
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is the closest major airport to the Nemacolin Resort. In terms of non-stop flights into Pittsburgh from across the U.S., here are your options:
- Alaska Airlines > Seattle/Tacoma
- Allegiant > Charleston (SC), Jacksonville (FL), Key West, Melbourne/Orlando, Nashville, Orlando/Sanford, Punta Gorda (FL), St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Sarasota, Savannah, West Palm Beach
- American Airlines > Charlotte, Chicago–O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New York–LaGuardia, Philadelphia, New York–JFK, Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham, Washington–National
- Breeze Airways > Charleston (SC), Providence
- Delta Air Lines > Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Boston, New York–JFK, New York–LaGuardia
- JetBlue > Boston
- Southwest Airlines > Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Sarasota, St. Louis, Tampa
- Spirit Airlines > Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Newark, Orlando
- United Airlines > Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental, Newark, San Francisco, Washington–Dulles
Best Time to Visit Nemacolin Resort
If at all possible, avoid December through February as temperatures are balmy speaking from personal experience. I would recommend visiting between May and September. The highs average between 72 and 83 degrees and the lows average between 52 and 64 degrees.
We visited in August on a recent golf trip. The weather could not have been more perfect! You wake up and the temperatures are crisp requiring a sweater or light jacket. By mid-day, the temperatures were in the mid-70s. At night, the weather dipped into the low 60s. You have this weather plus no humidity which combines for a perfect temperature gumbo.
Where to Stay at Nemacolin Resort
Most of our group stayed at The Homes, which are townhomes overlooking Shepherd’s Rock golf course. I booked The Lodge via the Virtuoso program, which includes the following amenities:
- Daily breakfast for two
- Room upgrade *subject to availability
- Early check-in and late check-out *subject to availability
- Virtuoso amenity (i.e. usually a $100 property credit, free massage, car transfer)
Unfortunately, the hotel wasn’t able to accommodate a room upgrade or late check-out due to the hotel being at full capacity. However, daily breakfast for two plus the amenity was included. For the amenity, I received a $100 property credit that was netted against my total hotel bill at check-out.
Nemacolin Resort Mystic Rock Golf Course
Mystic Rock was my favorite of two Pete Dye-designed courses. Compared to Shepherd’s Rock, Mystic Rock has fewer blind shots, a core design of any Pete Dye course. The par-72 course sits on the Allegheny Mountains with views of the Laurel Highlands. Water comes into play throughout these 18 holes along with boulders on either side of the fairways and plenty of elevation changes. The finishing holes of the par 5 16th, par 3 17th, and par 4 18th challenge any golfer. Of these three holes, the par 5 16th was the most challenging for me (I may or may not have triple bogeyed this hole…).
Nemacolin Resort Shepherd’s Rock Golf Course
The second Pete Dye-designed course is Shepherd’s Rock. Opened in 2017, the 7,290-yard course also stretches across the Allegheny Mountains. Shepherd’s Rock was my least favorite of the two courses due to the number of blind shots. Here’s what I mean. Holes number 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, and 16 have blind shots either from the tee box or your approach shot. Said another way, roughly 40% of your holes have blind shots. Outside of the blind shots, Shepherd’s Rock is a solid course to play.
Common Streamsong Resort Questions
How much does a night at Nemacolin cost?
Between $400 and $1,000 per article. My room rates were $650 and $825 booking through Virtuoso for Thursday and Friday night respectively.
What is included with a stay at Nemacolin?
Guestrooms, suites, or private estates and homes as well as resort credits for dining, activities, and amenities per this article.
What is Nemacolin known for?
Nemacolin (c. 1715 – c. 1767) was a hereditary chief of the Delaware Nation who helped Thomas Cresap widen a Native American path across the Allegheny Mountains to the Ohio River Valley per this article.
Impressions of Nemacolin Resort
Proximity to a major airport is the key for me when booking any golf trip and Nemacolin Resort checks this box. The summertime gets my vote for when to visit this part of the U.S. Unfortunately, Nemacolin Resort does not participate in the Preferred Hotels / Choice Hotels partnership, which would allow you to book your Nemacolin Resort stay with points rather than cash. The resort offers two fantastic golf courses in addition to other on-property amenities.
What do you think about Nemacolin Resort? What’s your favorite Pennsylvania golf course? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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