Long Creek

[97procraft]

We tax payers have been building baseball, football, hockey and other arenas all over this state for decades. I am not surprised that someone figured how to do it on a lake.

[dtrs5kprs]

So the taxpayers built Johnny a park, campground, boat ramp, etc. No telling what kind of political connections that guy has.

Most at a guess. Now fishing and retail tax generation, first liquor stores.

[vernon]

Pretty sure this has to be a lease deal where Morris is paying the Corps based on whatever was agreed upon in the contract. As a former Corps employee, I'm betting that for better or worse, the terms are available by contacting either the public affairs office or the contracting division in Little Rock. Typically, a concessionaire contract requires a percentage of the profits to be paid to the Corps in addition to the lease amount. In short, it's good to be the King.

For what it's worth, he also bought one of the most popular golf courses in the area, Branson Creek, as well as Murder Rock. Some say they will become private and only accessible to Big Cedar guests. No facts about this though, only here say.

[Bill Babler]

Pretty sure this has to be a lease deal where Morris is paying the Corps based on whatever was agreed upon in the contract. As a former Corps employee, I'm betting that for better or worse, the terms are available by contacting either the public affairs office or the contracting division in Little Rock. Typically, a concessionaire contract requires a percentage of the profits to be paid to the Corps in addition to the lease amount. In short, it's good to be the King.

For what it's worth, he also bought one of the most popular golf courses in the area, Branson Creek, as well as Murder Rock. Some say they will become private and only accessible to Big Cedar guests. No facts about this though, only here say.

Vern, rumor has it there was no upfront money. Just the percentage of the intake. Pretty sweet deal if you can get it.

On very good information the only private course will be Top of the Rock. The other two will reopen open to the Public.

Thanks for you knowledge, always good to hear from someone that has been there and done that.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I could see him buying out the marina, that would just be a business deal that wouldn't likely cause any concern from the Corp. I don't understand the launch fee however because that isn't the norm, at least as a stand alone fee. If this is a new regulation wouldn't the Corp be obligated to hold some kind of meeting or at least an announcement?

[eyedabassman]

Spoke to a person in the know, and Johnny Morris has leased the facility from the Corp. That is campground and launch and the entire Kabottle. Don't know how he got the lease or even if it went out of bids. But none the less it belongs to him now and that is another launch that we will pay for.

Johnny has alot of money and someone got a big pay day! Money talks!

[vernon]

Vern, rumor has it there was no upfront money. Just the percentage of the intake. Pretty sweet deal if you can get it.

On very good information the only private course will be Top of the Rock. The other two will reopen open to the Public.

Thanks for you knowledge, always good to hear from someone that has been there and done that.

Yep and although the Corps has to obey laws like everyone else, Army regulations are subject to interpretation and that's why they employ a rather robust office of legal counsel to determine what can and can't be done. In cases like Johnny Morris the "effort" to interpret favorably will certainly be greater than you or me trying to negotiate a deal that might make plenty sense to us. Right or wrong, I think everybody agrees that the world of the big hitters will always be a little different than the one that us utility infielders live in.

That's great news about the golf courses though. My wife and I get down for usually three different weeks during the year and my brother and I at least one. We've always enjoyed having as much fun as we can while we can have it and a few rounds of golf during the mid day is pretty typical for our visits. Hard to beat fishin' in the morning, golf in the afternoon and back on the water for whatever evening bite might be available. God, I love that place.

Thanks as always Bill for providing more of your "local" insight!

[Champ188]

Vernon, if you haven't already, you might try the Thousand Hills course right off the strip in Branson. Pretty nice little track and reasonably priced.

[vernon]

Vernon, if you haven't already, you might try the Thousand Hills course right off the strip in Branson. Pretty nice little track and reasonably priced.

Champ, have not played there. Went over that way a couple of times with the intent of playing but one time they were having an event and got rained out the other. Looks pretty nice though and I know it has a pretty extensive history as well. Thanks for the suggestion and we'll have to try again in a couple of weeks when we head that way for our first visit of the year. Can't wait!

[Champ188]

Donna and I really enjoyed it. Not overly long being a par-64 but it will certainly challenge you in other ways. Water is in play on a bunch of holes and some of the par-4s are pretty healthy. Greens rolled like a dream when we were there a couple of summers ago.