Page 105 - Play Coastal Mississippi - Spring & Summer, 2026

A | Year-round play is crucial to developing as a junior golfer. It’s hard to take weeks or even months off and expect your skills to stay sharp, because so much time away usually means you are spending the next stretch trying to catch back up to where you were. Being able to stay on the course consistently is a huge advantage.
Honestly, it is priceless. Getting to play all year long gives you more reps, more confidence, and many more opportunities to improve. Playing in tough conditions like wind, rain, and chilly weather really prepares you for competition. You learn to adjust, stay mentally tough, and handle whatever comes your way. That year-round exposure makes a big difference in your development.
COASTAL COMMUNITY & CULTURE
Q | How have mentors, friends, and fellow golfers in the Coastal Mississippi golf community supported your journey, and how does that encouraging mindset influence what happens on the course?
A | The entire golf community on the Coast has supported me to the fullest throughout my journey. It constantly reminds me how many people are rooting for my success, and that makes me want to play for more than just myself.
The two coaches I had on the Coast played a huge role in the development of my game. Friends and fellow golfers were always pushing me competitively, and that helped me build the mentality I needed for college golf.
The community mindset also helps me remember that golf is just a game at the end of the day. The reason I enjoy it so much is because I get to share it with the people I love and care about.
GROWING CHAMPIONS
Q | Why do you think Coastal Mississippi produces so many strong golfers, and how do the courses here shape a player’s
mental and physical development?
A | I think champions come from the Coast because of the strong community, the variety of courses, and the fantastic weather. Being in the South also adds a strong competitive element, and that really helps shape a tough mentality.
> Avery Weed is a standout junior on the Mississippi State women’s golf team and one of the nation’s top collegiate golfers. Originally from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Avery brings her Gulf Coast roots, competitive spirit, and love for the game to every tournament she plays.
Physically, the courses here teach players how to hit all kinds of shots, which makes you more versatile. Mentally, the difficulty of the courses and the competitive environment help players develop a strong mind and that no-give-up attitude.
Q | What lesson has golf on the Coast taught you that you still carry with you today?
A | Golf on the Coast has taught me that helping others is the best way of life. I have always had so much support on the Coast, and it has encouraged me to help younger golfers over the years.
MOMENTS THAT STAY
Q | For someone visiting Coastal Mississippi for the first time, whether they’re new to the game or chasing their best round, what can they expect to experience here, and what moments on the course make you appreciate how special this place is? A | I would say you are in for a treat! No matter which course you choose, the scenery will be fantastic, the people will be friendly, and the course itself will be high quality.
You can expect to find a very strong community that encourages everyone, no matter where they are in their golf journey, and courses that genuinely help you get better.
A moment that always makes me appreciate how special the Coast is seeing a heron fly over the water with the sun shining down. It is little scenes like that that remind you how beautiful this place really is.
Q | When people ask what makes Coastal Mississippi special to you, what do you tell them?
A | I tell them about the strong community first and foremost. Truly, I have never experienced a community like the Coast, especially within the golf world. Everyone is rooting for you and willing to do whatever it takes to help you along the way. Coastal Mississippi is where beauty and growth meet, because the people, the courses, and the surroundings all come together to push you, support you, and remind you how special this place really is.
COASTALMISSISSIPPI.COM SPRING/SUMMER 2026 I PLAY COASTAL MISSISSIPPI 105