Page 90 - Play Coastal Mississippi - Fall26 - Winter27

GOLF & OUTDOORS
DISCOVER THE “golf”Coast
Story by Tommy Snell
Can you keep a secret? Neither can Coastal Mississippi, better known Can you keep a secret? Neither can Coastal Mississippi, better known
as the “Golf Coast” to millions of golfers who have birdied in the as the “Golf Coast” to millions of golfers who have birdied in the
sunshine and par-fected course-record friendships on the Gulf’s tee sunshine and par-fected course-record friendships on the Gulf’s tee
boxes. boxes. USA TODAY USA TODAY 10BEST named Coastal Mississippi the #4 Best 10BEST named Coastal Mississippi the #4 Best
Golf Destination (2026) and described the Mississippi Gulf Coast as “a Golf Destination (2026) and described the Mississippi Gulf Coast as “a
premier golf destination with nearly 20 top-tier courses that are open premier golf destination with nearly 20 top-tier courses that are open
year-round.” year-round.”
As impressive as that award might be, the golf courses prove to be As impressive as that award might be, the golf courses prove to be
even more remarkable. Nicklaus, Fazio, and Palmer are among the even more remarkable. Nicklaus, Fazio, and Palmer are among the
many world-renown architects to work their magic on the “longest many world-renown architects to work their magic on the “longest
man-made beach in the world.” Grand Bear, Fallen Oak, and The man-made beach in the world.” Grand Bear, Fallen Oak, and The
Bridges respectively are the artistry that only this triumvirate of Bridges respectively are the artistry that only this triumvirate of
designers could have imagined. designers could have imagined.
Jerry Pate and Davis Love might be major champions, but their foremost Jerry Pate and Davis Love might be major champions, but their foremost
accomplishments on the Coast are The Preserve and Shell Landing, accomplishments on the Coast are The Preserve and Shell Landing,
two highly regarded and perfectly manicured courses that welcome two highly regarded and perfectly manicured courses that welcome
golfers of all skill levels. Mark McCumber’s Windance Country Club golfers of all skill levels. Mark McCumber’s Windance Country Club
hosted the Hogan Tour shortly after completion, giving Tom Lehman hosted the Hogan Tour shortly after completion, giving Tom Lehman
and Jeff Maggert a jump-start to their professional careers. and Jeff Maggert a jump-start to their professional careers.
Coastal Mississippi has showcased golf’s greatest players for 30 years. Coastal Mississippi has showcased golf’s greatest players for 30 years.
The Ben Hogan Tour became the Nike Tour and moved to Hickory Hills The Ben Hogan Tour became the Nike Tour and moved to Hickory Hills
Country Club in Gautier. The Nike Tour became the Buy.com Tour and Country Club in Gautier. The Nike Tour became the Buy.com Tour and
teed off at The Oaks in Pass Christian. Enter PGA Tour Champions at teed off at The Oaks in Pass Christian. Enter PGA Tour Champions at
Fallen Oak Grand Bear. Fallen Oak Grand Bear.
Home-grown golf is alive and well on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Home-grown golf is alive and well on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Pascagoula Country Club, Jackson County’s Whispering Pines Golf Pascagoula Country Club, Jackson County’s Whispering Pines Golf
Course, Gulf Hills in Ocean Springs, Bayou Vista in Gulfport, and Course, Gulf Hills in Ocean Springs, Bayou Vista in Gulfport, and
Pass Christian Isles welcome local golfers and visitors looking for a Pass Christian Isles welcome local golfers and visitors looking for a
“down home” tee time. Located at Keesler Air Force Base, Bay Breeze “down home” tee time. Located at Keesler Air Force Base, Bay Breeze
embraces “civilian play with advanced reservations and proper embraces “civilian play with advanced reservations and proper
identification only.” identification only.”
90 PLAY COASTAL MISSISSIPPI FALL/WINTER 2026-27 COASTALMISSISSIPPI.COM