Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock Courses at Nemacolin Honored in Golf Digest’s 2025-2026 Golf Course Rankings
Both courses land on “Best in Pennsylvania” List, Mystic Rock ranks 64th among “America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses”
Farmington, Pennsylvania – Nemacolin, Pennsylvania’s premier luxury golf resort destination, is proud to announce that both of its awarding-winning golf courses have been honored in Golf Digest’s coveted biennial golf course rankings for 2025-2026.
The Mystic Rock course, home of the 84 Lumber Classic from 2003 to 2006, was ranked 64th on the publication’s ‘America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses’ list and 11th on Golf Digest’s “Best in Pennsylvania” rankings. The inimitable Shepherd’s Rock course was ranked 21st on the “Best in Pennsylvania” list.
According to the venerable publication, Golf Digest‘s ranking of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses “provides a biennial snapshot into the state of affairs of public and resort golf course architecture. It also, increasingly, offers a peek into the wider world of golf development… The ranking, based on tens of thousands of evaluations submitted by our traveling course-ranking panelists, is a reflection of the architectural merits of each course. And by that measure, the level of excellence continues to be impressive.”
Golf Digest has been publishing a Best in State ranking every other year since 1977, making this the 25th edition. Deploying its trained panel of more than 1,700 low-handicap golfers to continually assess the courses of this nation is a mission whose main obstacle is daylight. “We have completed our regional rollout of our Best in State rankings. These rankings were based on more than 80,000 evaluations over a 10-year cycle from our panelists, who assess candidate courses based on the following criteria: Shot Options, Challenge, Design Variety, Conditioning, Aesthetics, Character and Fun (though Fun isn’t currently used in our formula),” the article announcing the coveted rankings said.
Walking the fairways of Mystic Rock, the realization that guests are playing a special golf course is inescapable. The hole designs are imaginative. They ask the golfer to use creativity, brawn sometimes, and problem-solving throughout. The everyday conditions on this layout, and its sister course Shepherd’s Rock, are pristine enough to hold a tour event at a moment’s notice.
Shepherd’s Rock is a different kind of enigma. It features more generous landing areas off the tee, but tougher approach shots and absolutely vexing greens. While Mystic Rock hits home with a gripping variety of holes a shot values, Shepherd’s Rock does the same in a ruggedly beautiful natural setting with a quirkier flow and fun pace.
“It’s a tremendous honor to have our Mystic Rock and Shepherd’s Rock courses named among the best in the country by Golf Digest’s expert golf course rating panel,” said Nemacolin’s General Manager of Golf & Grounds Operations Chris Anderson. “When you consider the amazing and historic course throughout Pennsylvania, these rankings are a profound testament that these two sterling Pete Dye designs remain among the finest golfing experiences in the land. Our members and a growing number of resort guests know what the Golf Digest panelists have validated: that Nemacolin is home to unforgettable championship golf.”
Before taking on Pete Dye’s challenges at Mystic Rock and Shephard’s Rock, one might consider a lesson or tune-up with all the state-of-the-art toys inside The Nemacolin Golf Academy. This golfer’s indoor dreamscape features four spacious, customized hitting bays which can open up to the 25-station driving range that sits adjacent to two short-game practice areas and a large putting green. The Golf Academy, which also features a dedicated, 1,000-square-foot putting room, is optimized for expert golf training and club fitting.
Until you have experienced the eclectic wonders of this larger-than-life resort nestled in the Allegheny Mountains (about one hour southeast of Pittsburgh), it’s simply hard to describe. Imagine a wonderland where one could spend their days luxuriating with world-class spa treatments, relaxing with afternoon tea, admiring breathtaking works or fine art, and taking in a hands-on Italian Cooking Class. Then, another guest could play 36 holes a day of championship Pete Dye-designed golf and use their off time to take a challenging ropes course, go whitewater rafting, jeeping, or clay-target shooting. After all that, they can have a world-class dining experience followed by a visit to The Casino at Nemacolin or enjoying a signature Whiskey Tasting or a fine cigar in The Hardy Room.
At Nemacolin all of that good living is possible in one 2,200-acre footprint, just waiting to be discovered. And adored. But never forgotten.
To learn more about the incomparable golf vacation experience at Nemacolin, visit Nemacolin.com/golf.
ABOUT NEMACOLIN
Amidst more than 2,200 scenic acres in Pennsylvania’s picturesque Laurel Highlands, Nemacolin offers an unparalleled golf experience on two of the Northeast’s most celebrated courses. Designed by the legendary Pete Dye, Mystic Rock — a Golf Digest Editors’ Choice selection and former host of the PGA TOUR’s 84 Lumber Classic — and Shepherd’s Rock present thrilling shot values, dramatic elevation changes, and sweeping panoramic views of the Allegheny Mountains.
Complementing the resort’s world-class golf offerings is a collection of luxurious amenities, including Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond accommodations at Falling Rock, an elite boutique hotel overlooking the course and available to those 16 and older. Players can refine their skills with expert instruction, state-of-the-art practice facilities, and a fully stocked Golf Shop, featuring premium apparel, equipment, and accessories.
Beyond the fairways, guests can indulge in exceptional dining, including the Forbes-rated Aqueous, rejuvenate at the Woodlands Spa or the Holistic Healing Center, and experience an array of adventures, from canopy tours and sporting clays to off-road Jeep excursions and wildlife tours. The resort also features a private airstrip and 35,000 square feet of event space, making Nemacolin the ultimate destination for golf getaways, weddings, and corporate retreats.
For more information, please visit Nemacolin.com/golf.
Press release by: Kevin Frisch PR
