Jackson, Miss. – Thanks to nearly non-stop efforts, 2006 begins with many Mississippi golf courses having reopened – following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina last August, according to the Mississippi Development Authority Division of Tourism (www.golfcoast.com).
“Mississippi’s Gulf Coast residents, businesses and the state have made tremendous progress in our renewal effort and we’re extremely pleased to offer visitors these great golf courses and other attractions once again,” says D. Craig Ray, MDA tourism division director. “In addition to the return of excellent golf there, some of our world-class casinos at the coast are open for action with others scheduled to be back online soon. Meanwhile, the rest of the state continues to welcome visitors thanks to the great hospitality, mild year-round weather, golf-and-gaming and stay-and-play options in our four other regions of the state.”
Casinos, Civil War attractions, Birthplace of the Blues and Elvis, join the many golf clubs as tourism draws for Mississippi.
Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, for example, is home to a golf course that was rated No. 94 by Golf Digest in its list of “America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses 2005-06.” Dancing Rabbit’s Azaleas Course was rated No. 70 in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses 2005-06.”
Old Waverly was site of Juli Inkster’s 1999 U.S. Women’s Open championship and it will host the USGA’s 2006 Women’s Mid-Amateur championship this season.
The Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia, home to spectacular Dancing Rabbit Golf Club, with its 36-hole, award-winning courses designed by Tom Fazio and Jerry Pate, is also home to a casino resort with myriad amenities, from full-service spa to a water park.
The PGA Tour is renewing its commitment to host an annual stop in the state as well. Last year’s Southern Farm Bureau Classic was played Oct.31 through Nov. 6 at Annandale Country Club in Madison, a Jack Nicklaus course design.
“Mississippi is a great state with great people, and we’re welcoming golf, gaming and other tourists to the state with open arms,” says Ray. “We hope visitors will come see why Mississippi is a special place and judge for themselves why Mississippi is considered a rising star of the golf-and-gaming destination world.”
Mississippi golf set for 2006
Thanks to nearly non-stop efforts, 2006 begins with many Mississippi golf courses having reopened.
