Jackson, Miss. – Although it is finalizing the process of assessing the impact of Hurricane Ivan, the Mississippi Development Authority Division of Tourism says there appears to be minimal damage to the golf course properties on the state’s Gulf Coast based on extensive reports.
"We are grateful that Hurricane Ivan’s damage in Mississippi was minimal,” says Craig D. Ray, MDA Tourism Division director. “We are still assessing the impact, but there appears to be no significant structural damage to any of our courses. We anticipate that those that have not already opened will do so very soon. Mississippi's Gulf Coast is open and ready for business.”
Mississippi’s Gulf Coast features some of the finest courses in the Southeast and in the country, including Davis Love III designed Shell Landing in Gautier, Arnold Palmer designed The Bridges in Bay St. Louis, and Jack Nicklaus designed Grand Bear in Saltillo near Biloxi. These are among the courses that have opened.
In addition to the golf courses being fortunate in the wake of Hurricane Ivan, the many resort casinos with which they are affiliated were also spared and have ben opened.