Let’s face it. You’re never getting that coveted Masters invitation or a chance to stay in Augusta National’s famed Crow’s Nest. And you’ll probably never play Amen Corner.
But there is an enticing alternative 500 miles west. Dancing Rabbit in Philadelphia, Miss., has slick, sloped bentgrass greens, rolling hills, towering pines, immaculately manicured grounds and, yes, azaleas.
As for the Crow’s Nest, Dancing Rabbit goes Augusta one better. With eight luxury rooms in the southern mansion clubhouse, Dancing Rabbit outdoes the bare bones accommodations at Augusta.
Dancing Rabbit is one of many surprises in the Magnolia State. Here are three other reasons for golfers to consider hospitable, affordable Mississippi:
Tunica National » This is the best of three courses in Tunica, the nation’s third most popular gambling destination. Located in the flat, tree-less Delta Region in the northwest corner of Mississippi, windswept Tunica National plays hard and fast with water lurking on all but two holes. Extras like GPS, a 360-degree driving range, a six-hole practice course and four indoor tennis courts set it apart.
River Bend Golf Links » Low-priced River Bend (Clyde Johnson) in Robinsonville (just outside Tunica) and popular Cottonwoods (Hale Irwin) are outstanding options. Both courses, built on former cotton fields, have a Scottish feel.
Located a half-hour from Memphis, Tunica draws a more upscale crowd than other gaming stops in Mississippi, which is apparent at the 31-story Gold Strike, one of nine casinos in town. Recent expansion of Tunica Airport has made it more accessible.
Clarksdale » Aside from golf and casinos, a worthy destination is the home of Blues legends Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson and W.C. Handy, about 35 miles south of Tunica. Must-stops include the Delta Blues Museum for historic perspective, the Hopson Plantation Commissary for barbecue, the Ground Zero Blues Club for beer and music and Madidi for fine dining and a chance to see owner and frequent visitor Morgan Freeman.
