New Greens & Clubhouses, New Hotels & Casino Resorts and a New Attitude
Biloxi, MS – The Mississippi Coast has been called the “Golf Coast” for over 100 years with the first golf course opening in 1903 in Pass Christian. Visitors on the Illinois Central Railroad arrived early last century to enjoy the new game of golf on over 60 miles of coastline and golf continues to play a huge impact on the Mississippi Gulf Coast economy. But on 8/29/2005 the golf industry and the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast was hit with the largest storm in history and its impact shut down all the areas golf courses and destroyed clubhouses and downed over 100,000 trees on fairways – despite all that, golf visitors were some of the first visitors after Katrina. “I remember being so impressed with the golf course owners, golf professionals and golf industry workers that were working on getting the courses ready for visitors even though their home and car were destroyed,” says Kevin Drum, executive director, Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf Association, “in five years we have new greens and clubhouses at most courses and new hotels and casino resorts and two new courses – we are a much better golf destination,” says Drum. With over 20 courses by famous golf architects like Nicklaus, Palmer, Love and many more and the addition of two new championship courses in 2006 by Jerry Pate and Tom Fazio – the area has increased its quality of golf post Katrina and became one of the hottest golf destinations in the country.
The reason for its quick recovery is the unique set of amenities the destination can deliver to the visiting foursome. The great golf combined with the year-round golf weather, 60 miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline, deep sea fishing, fresh Gulf seafood, excellent dining options and 11 “World Class” casino resorts makes the area the only golf destination in the country to deliver this unique set of amenities and legendary southern hospitality. We have golf groups considering Vegas, Carolinas and Florida destinations and they come here instead because we offer it all in one place,” says Kevin Drum, Executive Director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf Association. “There is no shortage of non-golf activity,” says Drum.
While Katrina was a horrific event, the golf industry on the Mississippi Gulf Coast prospered by taking advantage of the recovery to become better golf courses and become a much better golf destination. For more information on golf vacations or a FREE quote go to www.GolfCoast.com or to request a FREE Golf Package Quote at over 50 hotels, casino resorts, condos & golf travel providers go to www.golfcoast.com/plan-your-trip or call 866-383-GOLF.
Contact:
Kevin Drum, Executive Director, MS Gulf Coast Golf Association
(228)374-Golf Ext 5 – Email: Kevin@GolfCoast.com
