The northern part of the state, ref- erenced as the heart of the Delta, offers a different kind of golf. Here, the land is flat, fertile, and often windy, creating a “links” feel that mimics the origins of the game in Scotland. Tunica National is the heavy hitter here. Designed by Mark McCumber, it is a “player’s course.” With its mas- sive bunkers and water hazards on almost every hole, it requires the kind of precision that requires your best. Its signature is the island green on the 14th—a hole that has ruined many a good round but provided even more stories for the 19th hole. Nearby sits Riverbend Links. If Tunica National is a formal challenge, Riverbend is a wild, fun ride. It was designed to look like a “field of dunes” on the banks of the Mississippi River. With tall Scottish-style grasses and rolling mounds, it feels like a piece of the UK was dropped into the heart of the South. Gold Strike Resort and Casino will provide you with respite from the winds on the links and a perfect place to stay and unwind. No Mississippi odyssey is complete without a stop in Clarksdale, the town where Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the devil at “the crossroads.” Before hitting the clubs, we visit- ed the Gateway to the Blues Museum. Located in a rustic 1895 train depot, it serves as the perfect primer for the Mississippi Blues Trail. Make sure to stop by the interactive exhibit where you can record your own Blues song and take it with you as a memento of this industry-changing genre of music. But the highlight of the entire trip wasn’t on a green; it was under the neon lights of Ground Zero Blues Club. Co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, this isn’t a polished tourist trap. It’s a gritty, authentic juke joint with mis- matched chairs, graffiti on the walls, and some of the best fried catfish in the Delta.The rhythm of the Blues and the “swing” of the beat is all about timing and soul. Mississippi is a state of beautiful contradictions. It offers the high-end luxury of a Fazio course like Fallen Oak and the salt-of-the-earth honesty of a Delta juke joint. Whether you are try- ing to break 80 or just trying to find the “blue note,” Mississippi rewards those who take the time to explore its depths. You come for the golf, but you stay for the soul. To plan your unforgettable trip, go to VisitMississippi.org.
CENTRAL MISSOURI’S LAKE OF THE OZARKS GOLF TRAIL Where one great course lead t another! This is no ordinary golf getaway. This is an amazing golf experience... This is The Lake of the Ozarks Golf Trail. Book your Golf Trail getaway today!
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