The Lodge at Turning Stone Resort Casino, Photo Credit: Turning Stone Resort Casino
Turning Stone Resort Casino is more than just a casino — it’s a sports and recreation destination in Upstate New York. The expansive complex boasts five golf courses (including the popular Shenendoah Golf Club) and Sportsplex, one of the largest sports venues in the U.S.
Golf
If it’s golf you seek, Turning Stone Resort Casino has it covered. Atunyote, designed by Tom Fazio, is an 18-hole gem that opened in 2004. In typical Fazio fashion, the course showcases undulating greens and steep bunkers. Golfers are also challenged by the layout’s rock formations, lakes, streams and waterfalls. Just two miles from resort, Atunyote includes a full-service clubhouse and practice area. A shuttle bus will drive you from the resort to the greens.
The Kaluhyat course, which opened in 2003, was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The course takes its name from the Oneida Indian word that means “the other side of the sky,” and its design is reflective of the title — majestic landscapes span all 18 holes. Kaluhyat is a Certified Audubon Signature Sanctuary, meaning golfers can enjoy the ancient wetlands, native plant life and natural corridors while trying to tame their wild swings on tee shots.
Designed by Rick Smith, Shenendoah Golf Club debuted in 2000. Turning Stone’s most popular course, it was named in honor of the tribal chief who was instrumental in the Oneidas’ decision to side with the colonists during the Revolutionary War. Shenendoah, and its 7,000 yards of natural setting, often hosts corporate and charitable events.
Pleasant Knolls is a player-friendly, nine-hole recreational course that features wide fairways, legendary crowned greens, water hazards and a gently rolling terrain. Sandstone Hollow, another nine-holer, was erected with the busy golfer in mind. Also designed by Smith, it’s a fescue-bordered, rock-filled course that tests the limits of players who only have a brief time to be on the fairways.
Get golf lessons or fine-tune your drives at the Sportsplex. The off-season home of the resort’s Golf Academy and the Turning Stone Golf Superstore, the Sportsplex is one of the largest indoor learning environments for group clinics and individual lessons in the United States.
Hook up with a PGA-certified instructor or just take some time for yourself on the massive indoor putting green. The Sportsplex also features FlightScope, a 3-D teaching aid that tracks the components of your swing and provides feedback on perfecting your technique for future shots. Plus, there are two golf simulators, providing a virtual experience where you can test your skills on some of the world’s finest courses.
Tennis Courts at Turning Stone, Photo Credit: Turning Stone Resort Casino
Tennis
The Sportsplex at Turning Stone Resort Casino offers eight Decoturf tennis courts — four indoor and four outdoor courts.
Decoturf surfaces, which are also used at the US Open, provide a comfortable environment for practicing. Reserve a court by calling the Sportsplex directly and making a reservation, or have the concierge at the hotel book a court time for you.
For lessons, reserve time with one of the resort’s professional tennis staffers and allow them to work one-on-one with you to get you back onto the court.
Turning Stone Races
The Turning Stone Races is an annual weekend-long event that includes a half-marathon, 10K and 5K road race. The races are catered to runners of all levels and ages, meaning the little ones in your group can lace up their sneakers, too.
The resort often hosts special packages, rates and family-friendly activities the same weekend of the races. If you’re interested in running or just taking part in the revelry, it’s best to book your stay well in advance. These races are some of the most-anticipated events of the year in the area, bringing in guests from near and far.
Boxing
The Event Center at Turning Stone Resort Casino is a 5,000-seat concert and convention venue where boxing matches and sporting events are held throughout the year. You can purchase tickets to any of the events online or through Turning Stone’s website.
Boxing seating offers ringside and floor options, lower bowl, upper bowl and handicapped-accessible seating. ESPN broadcasts live bouts from its popular Friday Night Fights series here at different times of the year.
After one of the live shows, keep the fun going at one the resort’s other facilities. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for karaoke, clubbing or more sports on TV, there’s plenty to entertain you at Turning Stone.
