Jackson, Miss. – The Mississippi Development Authority Division of Tourism announced that five public-access golf courses have been named best-in-state by Golfweek magazine in its 10th annual “America’s Best” course rankings. The five courses, in order of rank with their architects and locations, are:
· No. 1: Grand Bear Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus, Saucier);
· No. 2: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club's Azaleas Course (Tom Fazio/Jerry Pate design, Philadelphia);
· No. 3: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club’s Oaks Course (Fazio/Pate, Philadelphia);
· No. 4: Shell Landing Golf Club (Davis Love III, Gautier); and
· No. 5: The Oaks Golf Club (Landmark National, Pass Christian).
Golfweek’s America’s Best team of 225 raters – representing 48 states – perennially tours the country in search of the best golf course designs. A few of the many criteria they use include strategic considerations of shot-making and design balance as well as aesthetics of conditioning and setting.
“It is gratifying for these outstanding Mississippi courses to be awarded this objective distinction by one of the world’s foremost golf publications,” says Leland Speed, the MDA’s Executive Director. “Golfweek is effectively informing golfers worldwide that Mississippi offers convenient access to some of best golf anywhere and at extremely affordable prices.”
Grand Bear moved up to the top spot this year, replacing the Azaleas Course at Dancing Rabbit, which held the lead spot the past several years. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course opened in October 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.
No more results found. · No. 1: Grand Bear Golf Club (Jack Nicklaus, Saucier);
· No. 2: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club's Azaleas Course (Tom Fazio/Jerry Pate design, Philadelphia);
· No. 3: Dancing Rabbit Golf Club’s Oaks Course (Fazio/Pate, Philadelphia);
· No. 4: Shell Landing Golf Club (Davis Love III, Gautier); and
· No. 5: The Oaks Golf Club (Landmark National, Pass Christian).
Golfweek’s America’s Best team of 225 raters – representing 48 states – perennially tours the country in search of the best golf course designs. A few of the many criteria they use include strategic considerations of shot-making and design balance as well as aesthetics of conditioning and setting.
“It is gratifying for these outstanding Mississippi courses to be awarded this objective distinction by one of the world’s foremost golf publications,” says Leland Speed, the MDA’s Executive Director. “Golfweek is effectively informing golfers worldwide that Mississippi offers convenient access to some of best golf anywhere and at extremely affordable prices.”
Grand Bear moved up to the top spot this year, replacing the Azaleas Course at Dancing Rabbit, which held the lead spot the past several years. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the course opened in October 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.