The Capital / River Region
From the modern capital of Jackson to the historic river towns of Natchez and Vicksburg, the Capital/River Region is a study in contrasts. Golf course layouts range from wide, open flatlands to tight, water-laden fairways.
Jackson is a great hub for a golf vacation. The metro area plays host to some of the top players on the PGA TOUR each fall at the Viking Classic. The event is played at Annandale Country Club in Madison, a Jack Nicklaus-designed private course.
The Refuge, a strategic 18-hole championship course near Jackson measures 6,635 yards from the tips. Literally raised from a hardwood swamp, the course is routed around and through stands of towering pines and ancient oaks, thus preserving the pristine wetlands in the process. The Refuge is located close to the Jackson-Evers International Airport, so a quick round before takeoff can be a great ending to any visit to the capital city.
Also in metro Jackson, Bay Pointe Golf Club, located in Brandon, has served as the proud host to several professional tour events, including the Hooters Tour. Bay Pointe is well-known for its year-round excellent condition, indigenous landscaping, narrow fairways and a special brand of Southern hospitality. It stretches slightly over 6,500 yards with Bermuda fairways and greens.
Rolling terrain, large undulating greens, and gorgeous scenery are featured at Quail Hollow, located in McComb at Percy Quin State Park. Quail Hollow was designed by well-known architect Arthur Hills and has been consistently rated a prestigious four stars by Golf Digest’s Places to Play. Golf villas are available at the state park, providing modern amenities and a convenient place to stay next to the award-winning golf course.
Natchez is home to two exciting courses. Beau Pré Country Club offers an 18-hole layout that presents a variety of challenges to golfers of all levels. Designed by Mike Young, it’s situated on the banks of Second Creek and features a 90-foot sheer clay bluff, vast canyons, numerous feeder creeks, rolling terrain and abundant wildlife. Also in Natchez, golfers can escape to a real hidden treasure, Duncan Park Golf Club, located very near the historic downtown area. Built in 1928, Duncan Park is a traditional-style course with narrow fairways and small greens. The oaks are magnificent, with Spanish moss dangling from almost every limb of countless trees.
The Mississippi River town of Vicksburg is home to the Vicksburg National Military Park, several casinos, a nice variety of hotels, many dining options and two challenging golf courses. The 6,600-yard Clear Creek Golf Course has just undergone extensive improvements, most notably the doubling in size of some of its greens. The fairways are flat and wide, but still challenging. The historic Vicksburg Country Club offers a truly memorable round, with amazing elevation changes for this part of the state. Add target greens to the mix and this 6,000-yard course, built in 1930, becomes a real challenge.
History abounds in the Capital/River Region. Yet plantation homes, which survived the Civil War, Blues Trail sites and the historic state capitol are coupled with modern and distinctive accommodations and new and challenging golf courses to create the best of the new South.