Page 10 - The Golf Guide, Summer 2016

Golf Destination

Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf

Wes Bolyard

M, i double s, i, double s, i, double p, i. That is
how I remember we learned to spell Mississippi
in grade school. In August 2005, the Mississippi
Gulf Coast was hit with Hurricane Katrina’s
double whammy. High winds and a 28-foot
wall of water overtook the low lying coastal
counties, including the towns of Biloxi and
Gulfport, and sent the surge inland for 6-12
miles. Several casinos, which floated on barges
to comply with Mississippi’s land-based
gambling laws, were washed hundreds of yards inland by waves, and the storm
surge wiped out 90% of the buildings along the coastline. Regulations were changed
and today casinos are allowed on land rather than limited to floating casino barges.
What does all this mean? There has been a renaissance making it a great time to
visit and enjoy great golf, great casinos, great hotels, and fabulous fresh seafood! I
visited four of the top seven courses in the state and several exciting casinos, two of
which are right on the Gulf of Mexico.

After arriving at the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport, head straight in Gulfport and visit
the Island View Casino, completely rebuilt after the hurricane. It offers both a
Beach Tower and a Casino Tower with 970 rooms, a variety of dining, the Blue Shell
Spa, live entertainment, exciting gaming, fitness center, beachside pool (the only
casino with direct beach access), and, of course, golf. Beach Blvd Steamer puts out
a scrumptious supper (try the sweet Royal Red Shrimp). Check out the Candy Store
where you will find freshly made creamy pralines, rich fudge, and gourmet candy.

Island View Casino Resort purchased Windance
Windance Country Club in 2007 and
did a complete remodel. This fun course
has modest elevation changes, tree lined
fairways that are relatively straight, lush
greens, and enough water to keep your
attention. The greens are what make this
course more challenging. Windance has
hosted both the Ben Hogan and Nike
tours in the past, so you know you will
experience a complete test of golf.

The Preserve Golf Club, a public course affiliated with the Palace Casino Resort
in Biloxi, offers all-inclusive stay and play packages that benefit the player both for
the Resort and golf course. The Club encompasses 245 pristine acres, surrounded
by an additional 1800 acres of dedicated nature preserve. The native surroundings
of pitcher plant bogs, cypress swamps, long leaf pine savannah, live oak groves,
and native grass prairies have been integrated into the design of the 18-hole, par-
71 layout. The front nine works its way through the pines and the back nine is a

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