Trail Features Five Distinct Regions in the State and Award-Winning Golf at Affordable Rates
(JACKSON, Mississippi) – The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism today announces that the Magnolia Golf Trail has been revamped and now offers 11 member courses and customized packages ( www.magnoliagolftrail.com ).
Magnolia Golf Trail courses are found in two convenient clusters making it easy for golfers to play many courses with short drives in between. The cluster in southern Mississippi on or near the Gulf Coast includes:
The Preserve (Jerry Pate, opened last July, affiliated with the Palace Casino Resort) The Bridges (Arnold Palmer, Gulf Coast gem, Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis amenity) Shell Landing (Davis Love III, ranked 4th best course in the state out of more than 150) Quail Hollow (Arthur Hills, carved through the towering pines of Percy Quin State Park) Timberton (Mark McCumber, inspired Hattiesburg course, easy drive from Gulf Coast)
The cluster of Magnolia Golf Trail course in the Delta and Hills regions of northern Mississippi includes:
Tunica National Golf & Tennis Club (McCumber, hosts pro golf and tennis tournaments) River Bend Links (hard on the Mighty Mississippi River, popular player friendly design) Mallard Pointe (Bob Cupp, pure golf set in wildlife-laden John Kyle State Park) Big Oaks (located in Tupelo, birthplace of Elvis, scenic water hazards dazzle and bedevil) The Dogwoods (Gary Roger Baird, opened last year to great review from players, media) Kirkwood National (on-course cottages offer relaxing, fun stay-and-play experience)
Those visiting from outside the state who prefer to fly can access the northern cluster of courses by flying into Memphis, which is 25 minutes from Tunica and its world-class casino resorts and two Magnolia Golf Trail courses. The Gulfport-Biloxi airport on the Gulf Coast is a short drive the cluster of Magnolia Golf Trail Courses in southern Mississippi and its collection of casino resorts.
"Mississippi has rapidly become recognized as home to one of the nation’s finest collection of public-access golf courses, as well as offering many after-golf activities, from casino gaming to enjoying our abundant natural resources including beaches and state parks," says D. Craig Ray, the Mississippi Development Authority Division of Tourism Director. ‘The Magnolia Golf Trail and its member courses highlight many of our great state’s attributes at value-laden prices."
About Mississippi Golf
Mississippi’s is the nation’s greatest golf-and-gaming tourism star thanks to the more than two dozen resort casinos throughout the state, many with acclaimed golf clubs as amenities. Several resorts, casinos and new courses opened in 2006 and others are slated to debut in 2007.
These include:
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi (Summer 2007 scheduled opening) Fallen Oak, a Tom Fazio design and amenity of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi
Attractions contributing to Mississippi’s growing popularity as a preferred golf-and-travel destination are:
Great year-round weather and direct flights from major carriers More than 150 courses offering all price points and design varieties in five distinct regions New and existing courses designed by top golf course architects that garner national recognition World-famous cuisine, blues music and luxurious casino resorts offering big-name entertainment Family-themed attractions of all types Widespread acclaim from the annual PGA Tour golf tournament held in Jackson History, heritage and architecture, including Antebellum Era mansions turned award-winning B&B venues.
For more information about Mississippi golf, gaming and other tourism opportunities call 1-866-801-8551 or visit www.visitmississippi.org.
Contact:
Dan Shepherd, 703-891-3320
Buffalo Communications
dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
