BEST BET FOR A SOUTHERN GETAWAY From The Coast To The Capital, Mississippi Golf Is A Winner

By Danny Freels, Contributing Writer

Considering that it’s located on the Gulf of Mexico and one of the largest ports in the state, it’s not hard to figure out how the city of Gulfport got its name. After a trip to Coastal Mississippi, however, I’m ready to call it Golfport not Gulfport. Windance Country Club, for example – owned by the Island View Casino Resort in downtown Gulfport – was designed by former PGA Tour player Mark McCumber and opened in 1986. Winding its way through a forest of tall Pines, this very pretty layout features a number of elevation changes, large putting surfaces and plenty of water to the sides of holes and in front of greens. Four tees are available at Windance, measuring between 5,093 and 6,667 yards. Due to many of the holes playing uphill, this fun layout can play longer than its total length. The Island View Casino Resort, by the way, is golf central to the several courses on the western side of Coastal Mississippi. It offers two separate hotel towers – one on the beach! – 974 rooms and suites (smoking and non-smoking), two casinos, 2,600 slots, 49 table games and numerous dining opportunities.

Another fine choice for golf is The Club at Diamondhead, roughly 25 miles west of Gulfport. This 36-hole facility is as playable as it is pretty. The two courses here – The Pines and The Cardinal – were both designed by Earl Stone and both opened in the 1970s. While neither of the fun courses at Diamondhead are considered long, both feature rolling terrain, lots of tall trees, well sloped putting surfaces and enough water and sand to get and keep your attention. The Pine course offers a choice of five tees and a measurement between 4,120 and 6.784 yards. The Cardinal course also offers five tees but is slightly shorter, measuring between 4,084 yards and 6,729 yards.

Now that you’ve gotten a taste of Mississippi-style golf, head north from Gulfport for roughly 30 minutes to the city of Saucier. There you’ll find Grand Bear Golf Club, a gorgeous Jack Nicklausdesigned layout that’s only a “bear” if you play it from the wrong tees. Even though I’m a long-time admirer of the playing career of Mr. Nicklaus, I can’t say the same for some of the courses he’s designed. Grand Bear, however, is both an exception to my ambivalence and exceptional. Located deep within the magnificent De Soto National Forest, at the end of a long, winding road a few miles from the nearest highway, Grand Bear is nothing less than a golfer’s dream. It’s big, it’s beautiful and – best of all – it’s playable, even for a semi-hack like myself. It’s also secluded, with nary a house, condo or swimming pool anywhere in sight or sound. The clubhouse is pretty spectacular, too. Opened in 1999, Grand Bear offers five sets of tees that measure between 4,802 and 7,204 yards.

If you’ve played your cards correctly and played Grand Bear, I say keep your luck intact and keep going north for about three hours to the Pearl River Resort. Located in the town of Choctaw northwest of the capital city of Jackson, Pearl River is a sprawling facility built on the ancestral lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. In addition to delicious dining to suit almost every taste, Pearl River features the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino (600 rooms), the Silver Star Hotel and Casino (500 rooms) and a 23-acre water theme park. For even more of a good time, head on over to Dancing Rabbit Golf Club. The 36 holes here – The Azaleas and The Oaks – are two of the best and most challenging courses you’ll find anywhere. The Azaleas, designed by Tom Fazio, offers five sets of tees and a measurement between 4,909 and 7,158 yards. Be advised, however, that it also features some serious elevation changes. Equally beautiful but not quite as hilly is The Oaks, designed by Jerry Pate. Slightly shorter but just as challenging, The Oaks has five tees to choose from and a measurement between 5,097 and 7,076 yards.

Just east of Jackson, in the very pretty town of Pearl, is Patrick Farms Golf Club. The work of Randy Watkins, this course was not built to bite your head off or eat your lunch. It’s a fairly wide-open layout that’s also pretty flat. All-in-all, Patrick Farms is about fun not pain. The fairways are wide, the greens aren’t too demanding and there isn’t a whole lot of water and sand. The course measures between 5,032 and 6,907 yards, and there are four sets of tees to choose from.

If you’re in need of one more stay and play opportunity, head over to the nearby city of Flowood. There you can check into the brand-new Sheraton Flowood Hotel & Conference Center, conveniently located just five minutes from Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. This very fun facility features 200 modern and comfortable guest rooms, over 25,000 square feet of meeting space, and several places to eat, drink and be merry. The Sheraton Flowood’s very cool lobby bar, “Twins”, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus lots of room for lounging. For a bit more quiet but equally great food, take a stroll down to “Rebecca”s, the Sheraton’s all-American on- site restaurant. Breakfast is served seven days a week, dinner is available six nights a week. But after you check in be sure to check out the The Refuge Golf Course right on the property. Designed by Englishman Roy Case, The Refuge is lined by tall trees that give it a bit of a “northern Michigan” appearance. Over the past couple of years, however, this very attractive layout has undergone a renovation by course architect Nathan Grace that has made it more popular than ever before.

Even though the course is somewhat on the flat side, The Refuge is quite a challenge. The greens are well undulated, there are numerous bunkers, and there’s plenty of water in play that’s not always visible. I’m sure it’s a good test for even better players. Five sets of tees are available at The Refuge, measuring between 4,439 and 7,013 yards. Trust me: before you check out of the Sheraton Flowood, be sure to spend some time in “Missy Sippy”, the hotel’s rooftop bar. From the balcony – your favorite drink in hand – you’ll have a spectacular view of downtown Jackson that you won’t forget, especially at sunset. Like “Missy Sippy”, the great golf, fine food and fun times available on a trip to central and coastal Mississippi is a can’t miss.

For more information, please go to visitmississippi.org/golf. TSG

Mississippi

More Information

Visit Mississippi – www.visitmississippi.org/golf

Coastal Mississippi – www.coastalmississippi.com

Visit Jackson – www.visitjackson.com

Where To Stay

The View Casino Resorts, Gulfport – www.islandviewcasino.com

Pearl River Resort, Choctaw – www.pearlriverresort.com

Sheraton The Refuge Hotel & Conference Center, Flowood/Jackson – www.marriott.com/JANSI

Where To Play

Windance Country Club – www.windancecc.com

Diamondhead Country Club – www.theclubatdiamondhead.com

Grand Bear Golf Club – www.grandbeargolf.com

Dancing Rabbit Golf Club – www.dancingrabbitgolf.com

Patrick Farms Golf Club – www.randywatkinsgolf.com

The Refuge Golf Course – www.refugegolfms.com

Where To Eat

Carter Green Steakhouse at Island View Casino, Gulfport – www.islandviewcasino.com

Patio 44, Gulfport – www.patiofortyfour.com/gulfport-ms

Phillip M’s Steakhouse at Pearl River Resort, Choctaw – www.pearlriverresort.com

Rebecca’s at Sheraton Flowood – www.marriott.com/JANSI

Highball Lanes, Jackson – www.highballlanes.com