The Fairway to the Soul: A Mississippi Golf and Blues Odyssey D e s t i n a t i o n s M ississippi is a land defined by its rhythms. To truly experience the
Dave Weretka
Moving inland toward the state capital of Jackson, we find The Refuge in Flowood. Recently renovated and reopened, this course has quickly become a central Mississippi staple. While many courses in the area are tight and punishing, The Refuge— designed by Roy Case—offers a more “playable” challenge that still rewards
strategic thinking. It winds through a 200-acre nature preserve, providing a serene escape from the urban bustle of Jackson. Make The Sheraton Flowood Refuge Hotel and Conference Center your home base while exploring the Jackson area. Don’t miss the rooftop bar offering stunning sunsets. If you venture out for some live music, make
state, you have to follow two specific paths: the manicured emerald fairways of its world-class golf courses and the dusty, legendary “Blues Highway” that birthed a musical revolution. This journey isn’t just about a scorecard; it is a pilgrimage through the history of the Deep South, where the tension of a difficult par 4 is balanced by the rugged release of a slide guitar. Our journey begins in Saucier, nestled within the sprawling DeSoto National Forest. Here lies Fallen Oak, a Tom Fazio masterpiece that serves as the undisputed premier course of the region. Exclusive to guests of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, the experience starts long before you reach the first tee. The drive into the forest builds a sense of isolation and grandeur, stripping away the noise of the outside world. Fazio designed Fallen Oak to look as if it has been part of the landscape for centuries. It is a visual marvel of dra- matic elevation changes, shimmering streams, and more than 4,000 oaks and pines. The course was host to the PGA Champions Tour, having also hosted the Rapiscan Systems Classic. The course builds to a crescendo on the18th hole as it serves as a perfect finishing challenge. As you play toward the Acadian-style clubhouse, a mas- sive, ancient oak tree stands sentinel near the green. It requires a precise approach to avoid the water to the left and the shadows of the “fallen” oak to the right. Standing on this green, you realize that golf in Mississippi isn’t just a game; it’s an immersion into nature. Heading east toward Gautier, the landscape shifts from forest to marshland at Shell Landing Golf Club. Designed by Davis Love III, this course offers a diverse architectural palette. You’ll find yourself navigating through dense woods one moment and open wetlands the next. The par-3 17th is a heart-stopper. It demands a carry over a tidal marsh to a green flanked by bunkers. It is the kind of hole where the wind off the Gulf can turn a simple 7 iron into an unwritten blues riff.
Shell Landing Golf Club
Fallen Oak
The Refuge
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