MGM Resorts International’s Fazio-designed masterpiece garners honor from respected travel publication
BILOXI, Miss. – June 23, 2010 – Beau Rivage Resort & Casino and its must-play course, Fallen Oak, earned a spot in Conde Nast Traveler Magazine’s Top 80 Golf Resorts 2010.
The honor is the first bestowed on Fallen Oak and Beau Rivage from the renowned travel publication, which came through its annual Readers’ Choice Survey. The publication received more than 25,000 online responses from readers who rated courses from “excellent” to “poor” on seven criteria: Course Design & Access, Golf Staff & Services, Rooms, Service, Food/Dining, Location and Overall Design.
In the rankings, which were grouped by geography, Beau Rivage was ranked 8th among resorts in the Southern United States with an overall average score of 84.5. It earned two 90-plus scores – 90.5 in both Course Design & Access and Golf Staff & Services.
“This year’s 80 winners were chosen by resort guests, not pros – though all zealous players appreciate superb courses as well as superb hotels. The Top 80 have both, in spades,” reads the story, which can be found in the publication’s June edition.
This latest award comes on the heels of Fallen Oak playing host to the Champions Tour’s inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, which brought more rave reviews to the Tom Fazio-designed course that celebrates its fourth birthday in November.
“It sets up really nicely. It’s a very good golf course. Its right up there with all of the best courses we play out here. This is a good test of golf and that’s what you look for out here,” said Champions Tour stalwart John Cook.
“This honor is special because it comes from the readers of a highly regarded travel magazine and recognizes the entire golf resort experience, not just the golf,” said George P. Corchis Jr., president and chief operating officer of MGM Resorts International’s Mississippi Operations, which includes Beau Rivage in Biloxi and the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica. “It reflects not only the quality of Fallen Oak and Beau Rivage on their own, but encompasses the overall experience we provide our guests.”
Beau Rivage was the only Mississippi resort represented on the 80-resort list, which is the publication’s 14th-annual compendium of the elite golf resorts, both in the United States and internationally.
It ranked ahead of such prestigious PGA TOUR host properties as the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas outside of Dallas (No. 9) and the storied Lodge at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, GA. (No. 15).
“Condition-wise, the strength of the layout, this is easily in the top-five, if not the best course we play,” said two-time Champions Tour Player of the Year Jay Haas.
Both readers of Conde Nast Traveler and the Champions Tour pros recognized the elements that make Fallen Oak special. Unique among Gulf Coast courses, Fallen Oak features dramatic elevation changes, which Fazio incorporated among the more than 4,000 oaks, magnolias, pines and other hardwood trees that join the ponds, streams and wetlands that frame the course.
Aside from those elevation changes, remarkably true-rolling greens and Fazio’s dynamic design tactics of using the DeSoto National Forest and all its inherent natural elements as a template, the multi-million dollar course features gently rolling terrain and pecan orchards amid the oaks, pines and magnolias.
Built to resemble an Acadian-style Southern mansion, the 12,000-square foot clubhouse houses a 1,000-square foot pro shop and locker facilities. The clubhouse, voted one of the “Best 19th Holes in Golf” by Golf Digest, features a 70-seat lounge and restaurant with top-level dining and panoramic views of the 18th hole, as well as the majestic live oak that gives Fallen Oak its name.
Joining the heralded Shadow Creek as the only golf courses built by MGM Resorts International for their guests, Fallen Oak is located on a 510-acre tract at the edge of the DeSoto National Forest.
From the moment guests enter the lush and picturesque course through the gated front entrance, they know they are someplace special. With a personal greeting upon arrival, swing tips on the practice facility, exceptional caddy service, on-course food and beverage and chilled scented towels, Beau Rivage guests find a round at Fallen Oak that delivers an experience that is memorable and unrivaled in the region.
Stretching to a hearty 7,487 yards from the back tees, Fallen Oak offers golfers five sets of tees and strategic play options as each hole winds through ever-changing terrain and environments.
Fallen Oak is available exclusively for guests of Beau Rivage. Greens fees for this elite MGM MIRAGE golf experience are $200. To make reservations, call (877) 805-4657 or visit www.beaurivage.com.
About Beau Rivage
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, named one of the top 100 hotels in the continental United States and Canada by Travel + Leisure Magazine, is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International, the premier entertainment, hotel and gaming company in the world. For more information or to make reservations, call (888) 56-ROOMS or visit www.beaurivage.com.
About Fazio Golf Course Designers
Throughout his 40 years in golf course design, Tom Fazio and his staff of talented designers have been recognized for creating award-winning courses throughout the United States. No living designer has more credits on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses and Golfweek’s collection of America’s Best. The Golf Digest poll for Best Modern Day Golf Course Architect was discontinued after Tom claimed the award three consecutive times, and he has also received The Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world’s leading global hospitality companies, operating a peerless portfolio of destination resort brands, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company has significant holdings in gaming, hospitality and entertainment, owns and operates 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has 50% investments in four other properties in Nevada, Illinois and Macau. One of those investments is CityCenter, an unprecedented urban resort destination on the Las Vegas Strip featuring its centerpiece ARIA Resort & Casino. Through its hospitality management subsidiary, the Company holds a growing number of development and management agreements for casino and non-casino resort projects around the world. MGM Resorts International supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its gaming properties. The Company has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative, its community philanthropy programs and the Company’s commitment to sustainable development and operations. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company’s Web site at www.mgmresorts.com.
Contact:
Mary Cracchiolo-Spain
Beau Rivage
(228) 386-7134
Brian Robin
Brener Zwikel & Associates, Inc.
(818) 462-5610
