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The Fallen Oak Clubhouse from the 18th Hole |
THE BEAU IS BACK
with Fazio & Fallen Oak & Friends |
| By Art Stricklin | Photos Courtesy Beau Rivage |
The twisted, unrepaired slabs jutting out of the gulf waters, FEMA trailers at the airport, and a general sense of repair elsewhere in the city are more than enough evidence that Hurricane Katrina, which played through this area more than a year ago is still far from forgotten.
But the shining newly re-opened Beau Rivage Resort and Casino, and perhaps even more importantly, the brand new Tom Fazio-designed Fallen Oak golf course shows the potential and the shining future of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
To be sure, the area is still reeling from the body blow of the hurricane which ravaged the area, but with the August 2006 reopening of the Beau Rivage after a $500 million dollar renovation, and the November grand-opening of the Fazio-designed Fallen Oak (open to those staying in the massive resort), the area has clearly shown it can recover from more than a few double bogeys and head back with plenty of birdies and low scores.
Fazio, who is widely considered America’s greatest living architect, certainly played a role in that by teaming with the owners of the Beau Rivage, the MGM Mirage, to design the 18-hole layout, the same combination which built the hugely successful Shadow Creek facility outside of Las Vegas.
“I’m glad I was able to hook up with the MGM mirage again to do another golf course and I think true golf fans will make the trip to Mississippi to play this course and stay in the resort,” Fazio said of his par 72 course, which plays 7,487 yards from the back tees.
Hole 15
“It will be good when true golfers make the trip to play here and see the other fine courses in the area,” he added.
For Fazio, the return to Mississippi marked his return to the site of some of his best received work. Fazio had previously designed and built the Dancing Rabbit course in the northern half of the state.
While proclaiming himself “just a golf designer,” Fazio said he was glad to play a small part in the area’s recovery.
“I think it can be huge from an economic standpoint to have people come to see the courses, play Fallen Oak, stay in the hotels and spend money. Plus, you give more people jobs and a chance to be part of
the economy.”
When golfers arrive at Fallen Oak—usually in a resort provided limo—they will see a remarkable layout carved on a 510-acre tract of land right on the edge of the DeSoto National Forest, which gives it the look of a forest oasis.
Beau Rivage shows the shining future of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
True to its name, the entry is crowned with oak trees. Fazio and his team planted or re-replanted 1,000 oaks, magnolias, pines and other hardwoods around the facility. The hurricane hit after 6-8 holes had been built and laid out forcing them to start over, but it did clear out much of the brush around the course, giving it a much more polished and manicured look.
“I don’t want anybody to say Tom Fazio said the hurricane was good for Fallen Oak, but it did allow us to clear out a lot of unwanted vegetation along the rough and places we don’t usually get to do.”
The course features 10 bridges and several water features, including a large lake to the left of the 18th green, along with Tiff Eagle Bermuda grass greens, 419 Bermuda fairways and plenty of fearsome bunkers.
“The older I get, the more my bunkering reflects what you see in Scotland and Ireland,” Fazio said. “Over the years, I’ve come to believe the bunkers should be someplace to be avoided, to play away from and that’s the case at Fallen Oak. You shouldn’t be able to hit a smooth 3-wood out of the bunkers here, but if you look opposite the bunkers on almost every hole, you’ll see a place to play from.”
Of course, if the bunkers, sand and waters tire you out from your challenge at Fallen Oak, thankfully there’s the Beau Rivage to return to. The massive layout contains 1,700-plus rooms with 95 suites, plus 12 restaurants, many focusing on authentic Southern favorites like barbecue and fried chicken, along with gulf coast specialties like gumbo. During the fall, the sports bar is jammed with locals and visitors cheering for America’s new team, the Saints, or searching for a TV to watch their favorite group.
Hole #1 Running Creek
If that provides too much stress for you, there is always the recently updated spa with dozens of treatments for men and women, along with the landscaped pool area and views of the usually calm Gulf.
Of course Beau Rivage boasts acres of gambling options, or “gaming” as the industry prefers to call itself, with the ability to win or lose big on the golf course and in the casino day and night, 24 hours a day.
One of the most popular T-shirts for sale at the many retail outlets at the resort proclaims, “The Beau is Back.” Thankfully for the traveling golfer, it returned with Fazio’s Fallen Oak. The result for a first time
visitor or returnee is well worth the trip to the battered, but recovering Gulf Coast.
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| Know Before You Go |
LOCATION
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi |
TRANSPORTATION
The Biloxi/Gulfport Regional Airport continues a large expansion phase; direct flights are available from Texas on American, Delta and Continental |
WEATHER
Warm and pleasant in the fall, winter and spring. Can be hot and humid in the summer with rain a possibility in the afternoon, but usually good golf weather year-round |
ATTRACTIONS
The 1,700 room resort offers everything you would expect from a four-star vacation facility, including a lavish spa, a dozen different restaurants, a large variety of gambling options on site, a huge theater for big-name entertainment, and the large pool and sandy beach are just steps from the resort |
BEST NEARBY GOLF
The Mississippi Gulf Coast, which stretches from Biloxi to Gulfport to Hattiesburg and beyond, offers 23 different 18-hole layouts all accessible to the visiting golfer, offering plenty of chances for the player who wants to do 36 holes a day. |
MORE INFORMATION
www.beaurivage.com or
1-800-261-9548 |
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