No Stone Unturned
A multi-course destination without the hassle of airports and connecting flights, Turning Stone offers everything you could want in a golf resort.
By Erik Matuszewski
(This article appears in the November 2025 Met Golfer Traveler)
As a lifelong New Jersey resident, I’m somewhat ashamed to admit it took a golf outing organized by a California lifestyle company to get me up to Turning Stone Resort in upstate New York for the first time. I’m happy to at least say it wasn’t the last.
At the same time, sharing my experiences with fellow golfers made me realize I wasn’t alone in not fully appreciating all that the property on Oneida Indian Nation land has to offer.
Somewhat quietly, Turning Stone in Verona, N.Y., is a rare destination in the Northeast that can credibly call itself a complete golf getaway.
Tucked into the rolling countryside east of Syracuse, about a four-hour drive from New York City, Turning Stone boasts three championship courses, two short courses, atop casino, luxury accommodations, a spa, and more than 20 restaurants all within one easy-to-navigate property. For those golfers seeking a serious (and memorable)golf getaway without hopping on a plane or leaving the Northeast, Turning Stone has emerged as a must-visit resort. And unquestionably a must-know.
For golfers in NYC, escape often comes in half measures. Perhaps it’s a crowded weekend round somewhere within an hour of Manhattan, an invite to a club on Long Island or Westchester County, a day trip to a public course in New Jersey or Connecticut, or possibly a quick getaway to the Poconos or the Jersey shore. But good luck finding anywhere in the region with quite the mix of activities, amenities, and accommodations at Turning Stone.
In fact, Turning Stone is squarely in the discussion as one of the nation’s premier Indian casino golf destinations. And it’s only been getting better.
An ongoing $370 million expansion – the largest in the resort’s history – is adding a new 258-room hotel and a new 77,000-square-foot conference center that will double the property’s meeting space. The reinvestment project is set to be completed in 2027 and ensures Turning Stone remains at the forefront of hospitality and recreation not only in the region, but beyond.
“We are building to the demand, which is fantastic because we have such a popular resort destination,” says Turning Stone CEO and Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter. “We now need more facilities as a result. It is an amazing positive impact for everyone in the region.”
For Met Area golfers looking to toss their clubs in the back of the car for an escape, the three distinct 18-hole courses are often the main draw. A different architect designed each one, showcasing disparate landscapes and playing styles.
Shenendoah, the resort’s original course, was recently reborn with a major redesign that added seven new holes and refined its routing. The new version is an ideal starting point for any visit, easing players in – at least more than its sister courses – with a playable layout that threads through native grasses, hardwoods, and wetlands. The Rick Smith design is predominantly a parkland layout, with some holes mixed in that have a links or Lowcountry style.
While Shenendoah is more of the “gentle handshake” course at Turning Stone, Kaluhyat has earned a reputation as one of the toughest tracks in the Northeast.
A Robert Trent Jones Jr. creation whose name translates to “the other side of the sky” in the Oneida language, Kaluhyat is bold and dramatic. Length off the tee helps, but precision from tee to green is imperative on this shot-maker’s course, as wetlands, forced carries, and elevation changes very much come into play across a scenic setting.
The golf headliner at the property is Tom Fazio’s Atunyote, which once played host to the PGA Tour’s Turning Stone Resort Championship. The Fazio flair is on full display throughout the immaculately conditioned layout, with wide, tree-lined playing corridors; gently rolling hills; and tranquil water features. The Oneida word for “eagle,”Atunyote delivers resort golf with a championship polish, with Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson among the pros who hoisted the tournament trophy behind the 18thgreen.
While the three main courses offer welcome variety, the resort’s two shorter golf offerings, Pleasant Knolls and Sandstone Hollow, provide options for less time-consuming rounds, quick evening loops, or relaxed golf with family and friends. Pleasant Knolls, a player-friendly nine-holer that’s hosted PGA Junior League local championships, is laid out across 70 acres and tends to be the better fit for those with a little less experience. Sandstone Hollow, a nine-hole par-3 course designed by Rick Smith, winds through woods and wetlands, with wild fescue grass and rock outcroppings surrounding the greens and holes that can stretch as long as 240 yards.
Yes, the golf offerings themselves are great, but what helps make Turning Stone such a broadly appealing destination is how complete it is. Or at least how well-rounded it feels as additions and improvements continue across a property that just over three decades ago was only a cornfield.
While some golf trips can feel like a grind – an ongoing loop of tee times and transfers – everything golfers and others could want is right on site. The last time I went up, I parked my car on Friday and didn’t touch my keys again until it was time to drive back home to New Jersey.
Away from the course, the resort boasts a full-blown entertainment and leisure playground. The casino is one of the largest in the Northeast, with more than 2,000 slot machines, 66 table games, live poker, one of the top three Bingo Halls in the world, and a burgeoning reputation as one of the top gaming experiences outside Las Vegas.
There is live entertainment most nights, a 5,000-seat event arena, and an array of bars and lounges that are ideal for forgetting rounds of golf or rehashing them.
For a quieter unwind, the Skana Spa and Ahsi Day Spa offer the serenity and recovery that is well-earned for those playing 36 holes in a day.
Dining at Turning Stone is another selling point. The resort’s 20-plus restaurants range from classic Italian and Asian fusion to steakhouse fare and casual pub menus. The TS Steakhouse – a sophisticated and award-winning spot perched atop the Tower Hotel – delivers a fine-dining experience with 360-degree countryside views along with a piano bar and cigar lounge. The Upstate Tavern, meanwhile, is the casual and lively go-to for post-round beers, burgers, and other classic American bar staples.
Accommodations also vary widely, from the high-end Lodge, with its understated luxury suites and private atmosphere, to the main Tower Hotel and the more casual Inn. The new Crescent Hotel is set to open in 2027. Whether you’re visiting for a buddy trip, couples’ weekend, or corporate retreat, the scale at Turning Stone feels just right: big enough to feel grand, yet intimate enough to never feel impersonal. The recently remodeled Lodge draws inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic Prairie Style architecture, while the Tower rises above the gentle hills and hardwood forests in the upstate New York setting. The relaxed pet-friendly inn sits next to the Sandstone Hollow course, and The Brook (formerly known as simply The Hotel) has easy casino access at the heart of the resort, with 268 rooms close to the gaming, dining and nightlife options.
This is Native American land, and those themes are woven subtly throughout the landscape at Turning Stone, especially at the golf courses. There’s the sense that the resort and courses belong to the land, rather than simply sitting atop it.
Perhaps more importantly for eager travelers in the Met Area and throughout the Northeast, it’s an energizing escape that fits seamlessly into a long weekend.
This multi-course destination comes without the hassle of airports and connecting flights. Instead, it’s a straightforward and scenic drive that transports you to a location that feels very different.
For golfers, Turning Stone is a playground of pristine courses with green fees and stay-and-play package pricing that’s generally considerably lower than popular resort destinations in Florida or the Carolinas. Provided other activities aren’t calling, it’s easy to fit in 36 holes a day during the spring, summer and fall without feeling rushed. Tee times are thoughtfully spaced, the staff handles club transport between courses, and replay rounds are available. For those guests who want to split their time up abit more, it’s an almost effortless transition from 18 holes in the morning to an afternoon at the spa, pool, or sportsbook ahead of dinner and a show.
Turning Stone might just be the Northeast’s best-kept secret – a destination that delivers bucket-list golf trip elements without the cross-country journey. For Met Area golfers, it’s the perfect blend of convenience and quality: far enough away to feel like a true escape and close enough to be doable almost any weekend.
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