(JACKSON, Mississippi) – Mississippi continues to shine as a premier golf-and-gaming destination with five of its courses landing on Golfweek’s recently released “Best Casino Courses, 2015.”
The courses – along with their affiliated casino resorts – are:
No. 2: Fallen Oak (Beau Rivage Resort & Casino)
No. 19: The Preserve Golf Club (Palace Casino Resort)
No. 34: Grand Bear Golf Course (Harrah’s Gulf Coast)
No. 40: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, The Oaks (Pearl River Resort)
No. 44: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, The Azaleas (Pearl River Resort)
Out of the 50 U.S. states, Mississippi tied for second with the highest number of casino courses on the best-of list.
Golfweek rates courses each year by sending out a panel of experienced evaluators using criteria that includes overall strength of routing, shaping, natural setting, variety of holes and conditioning.
“Mississippi attracts visitors who savor our combination of top-notch golf courses, world-class casinos, authentic blues music and more,” said Malcolm White, Visit Mississippi Director of Tourism. “We are gratified that our casino resorts offer first-rate service and amenities, year-round optimal golf weather and a wide array of post-play activities.”
Fallen Oak, open exclusively to guests of Biloxi’s Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, is known for its centuries old Oak and Magnolia trees, playability and impeccable service. The Tom Fazio design annually hosts the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, a PGA Champions Tour event that will be played this year on March 26-29.
The Preserve Golf Club surged eight spots in new rankings, the largest year-over-year climb of any Mississippi course. U.S. Open champion Jerry Pate designed the course around the stunning scenery of a Gulf Coast nature preserve. The course also earned a “Best Resort Course” nod from Golfweek for the first time in November. Grand Bear Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus Signature design also located in the Gulf Coast region, traverses through the wetlands and towering pines of DeSoto National Forest and sports packed pine needle rough amongst its notable cosmetic accents.
Dancing Rabbit Golf Club once again saw both of its courses land on the list. The Oaks remained at No. 40 and is joined by The Azaleas at No. 44. The courses are the creation of Fazio and Pate and spread out over more than 14,000 pristine acres in Philadelphia, MS.
For more information on these courses and all other spectacular golf offerings in Mississippi, visit http://www.visitmississippi.org/sitepages/golf or call toll-free 1-866-801-8551.
About Mississippi Golf
Attractions contributing to Mississippi’s growing popularity as the preferred golf-and-travel destination include:
– More than 140 courses offering a variety of price points and designs from world-class architects such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Jerry Pate and Tom Fazio
– Year-round golf weather with temperate conditions throughout five distinct regions — The Hills, The Delta, The Capital/River, The Pines, The Coastal
– Home to two annual TOUR events: The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic of the Champions TOUR, to be played at Fallen Oak (March 23-29, 2015) and the Sanderson Farms Championship of the PGA TOUR, played at Country Club of Jackson in November.
– One of the largest gaming destinations in North America, featuring exciting gaming, upscale shopping, live entertainment, luxurious spas and internationally acclaimed golf courses
– Birthplace of blues, rock ‘n roll and country music. Mississippi Blues Trail and Country Music Trail markers are placed at key sites around the state to honor musicians and give visitors insight into the state’s diverse musical heritage
World-famous, authentic southern cuisine offering savory barbecue, fresh seafood and French-Cajun delicacies
– A busy calendar of more than 400 unique events scheduled throughout the year
A host of non-golf activities including boating, fishing, bird-watching, hiking, biking, hunting, camping and more.
Contact:
Gary Trask
Buffalo Brand Invigoration Group
978.228.0314
gtrask@buffalobig.com
BuffaloBIG.com
Dan Shepherd
Buffalo Brand Invigoration Group
703.403.5317
dshepherd@buffalobig.com
BuffaloBIG.com
