The Preserve, Fallen Oak, Grand Bear, The Bridges, and Both Courses at Pearl River Resort’s Dancing Rabbit Golf Club are Honored for their Excellence
(JACKSON, Mississippi) – The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism today announces that six acclaimed courses in the state have been voted onto Golfweek’s “40 Best Casino Courses” list.
The six courses – in order of rank with their architects – are:
* No. 2: Fallen Oak Golf Club (Tom Fazio)
* No. 14: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club’s Azaleas Course (Tom Fazio/Jerry Pate)
* No. 22: Grand Bear Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus)
* No. 27: The Bridges Golf Club (Arnold Palmer)
* No. 32: The Preserve Golf Club (Jerry Pate)
* No. 35: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club’s Oaks Course (Fazio/Pate)
Hundreds of Golfweek raters examine overall strength of routing, feature shaping, natural setting, greens, variety and memorability of holes, conditioning and maintenance, landscape management and other criteria to determine the nation’s best courses.
“Mississippi is the nation’s third largest gaming destination and many of our casino resorts have excellent golf courses,” said Mary Beth Wilkerson, the MDA’s Tourism Division Deputy Director. “We invite everyone to visit Mississippi and experience first-hand why we are increasingly being recognized for our golf and gaming.”
Fallen Oak is an amenity of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, while Grand Bear is an amenity of Harrah’s Grand Casino Biloxi. Dancing Rabbit is an amenity of Pearl River Resort, the central Mississippi casino resort which is owned and operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The Bridges is an amenity of the Hollywood Casino Bay St. Louis, and The Preserve is an amenity of the Palace Casino Resort.
Located 15 miles north of Beau Rivage on a 510-acre tract, Fallen Oak runs adjacent to the DeSoto National Forest. Fallen Oak is a “sister” course to Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, which was rated No. 1 by Golfweek.
Fallen Oak opened in November 2006 and it measures 7,480 yards from the tips. The course is characterized by lush, rolling landscape covered in oak and pine ridges, magnolias, pecan groves, large lakes, winding streams and wetlands. It features 10 bridges and concealed cart paths to protect the terrain’s natural features.
Dancing Rabbit’s Azaleas and Oaks courses roll out over a combined 14,000 breathtaking yards. Secluded among ancient pines and hardwoods, each of these par 72 masterpieces embraces the gently rolling hills and valleys indigenous to the region. Over two miles of spring-fed creeks and streams weave their way through the lush Bermuda and Zoysia fairways and Bentgrass greens, lending both challenge and beauty to the picturesque environment.
Grand Bear opened in 1999 and is peppered with towering pines, natural cypress wetlands, secluded fairways, deep bunkers and impeccably manicured greens. The course measures 7,204 yards from the “Grizzly Bear” tees and 4,802 from the “Teddy Bear” tees. Many who play Grand Bear say the course feels a little like Augusta with a dash of Pinehurst excitement mixed in.
Jerry Pate made the most of The Preserve on an excellent piece of land adjacent to an 1,800-acre nature preserve in Van Cleave. As its name pronounces, the course is set in a large tract of undisturbed, gorgeous terrain. Combined with Pate’s inspired routing, which includes water, wetlands and tricky greens complexes, the resulting championship layout is a fun, feisty test for golfers of all ability.
The Bridges is the state’s only Arnold Palmer golf course design, and “The King” treated the site with royal care. Known as a shot-makers’ challenge due the precision required to navigate the many wetlands and forced carries on the course, Bridges exudes beauty and nature. This course is a favorite of RV aficionados as well thanks to the extensive RV park and facilities next to the casino hotel.
For more information about these courses or to schedule a visit to Mississippi, call toll-free to 866-801-8551 or go to www.visitmississippi.org and receive a free Golf Travel Guide.
About Mississippi Golf
Attractions contributing to Mississippi’s growing popularity as the preferred golf-and-travel destination include:
* Great year-round weather and direct flights from major carriers;
* More than 145 courses that offer 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 gourmet cuisine, music, Blues Trail, and luxurious casino resorts offering star-studded shows;
* Family-themed attractions;
* Widespread acclaim from the annual PGA and Champions tour events held in the state; and,
* History and architecture, including stunning Antebellum Era mansions turned award-winning B&B venues.
Contact:
Dan Shepherd, 703.891.3320, Buffalo Communications, dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
