On a recent trip to Mississippi, Pitches and Putts had the opportunity to play three outstanding courses in the Gulf Coast Region. Reviews of The Preserve (Jerry Pate) and Grand Bear (Jack Nicklaus) will appear in the next few days. The following is a review of Fallen Oak, a dazzling casino course for patrons of the Beau Rivage in Biloxi.
Fallen Oak Golf Club
Location » Biloxi, Miss.
Phone » 228-386-7015
Fees » $200-$300
Par/Yardage/Rating/Slope
72/7487/76.5/142
Course Ratings (5 stars maximum)
Conditions » *****
Layout » *****
Facilities » *****
Value » ***
Description » Open to guests of the Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino, Fallen Oak is an outrageously upscale, four-year-old casino course, similar to famed Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, minus the mountain setting. This is an unforgettable golf experience with all of the bells and whistles and more – limo service to and from the course, a personal greeting at the gated entrance, shoes shined in the locker room.
Reasons to Play » World-class design (Tom Fazio), immaculate conditions, unparalleled service, and exceptional caddie staff. No. 27 on the Golf Digest list of Places You Can Play. Lengthy course from the tips, but wide fairways, no visual tricks, and five sets of tees make it as playable as most resort courses.
The Situation » Set in Mississippi low country along the Desoto Forest, Fallen Oak was built on a rare 510-acre tract, crisscrossed by streams, ponds, and wetlands. Fazio’s graceful layout flows naturally, then builds on the back nine, where he takes advantage of some unexpected elevation change. The site emerged from a list of 20 potential venues nearby.
Money No Object » With a virtually unlimited budget, Fazio also was able to create what wasn’t there by transplanting trees, contouring the land, and shaping spectacular green complexes and bold, asymmetrical bunkers. The price tag to build Fallen Oak and then restore it post-Katrina came to $50 million. “There is no business model for [Fallen Oak],” said GM David Stinson.
Taking Root » Course includes thousands of transplanted trees. Large oaks stationed near fairway landing areas frame holes. Thick stands of transplanted pines and magnolias, mostly out of play near greens and tees, set holes apart. Only one transplanted tree, the 43,000-pound “Discovery Tree,” on the 18th hole, was purchased. The rest were on the property.
Tournament Ready » Fallen Oak hosted the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in May and received rave reviews from Champions Tour players such as Loren Roberts. “Absolutely amazing,” he said. But after the tournament, won by David Eger, was played in heavy rain and 30 mph winds, some were miffed. “The greens are a little tricky,” said runner-up Tommy Armour III. “The putts move around the hole.”
Major Ready? » Champions Tour veteran Dan Forsman compared Fallen Oak to Augusta National. “This is a macho golf course,” he said. “It has the feel of a major-championship venue. That’s exciting. That’s what you aspire to – to play the toughest courses in the toughest conditions against the best players.”
Only the Lonely » Playing Fallen Oak can be a blissfully singular experience. “Thirty rounds is a fairly busy day,” Stinson. “Tee times are just a suggestion.”
Room With a View » Some grillrooms are dark and clubby. Not the case at Fallen Oak, where a windowed wall provides ample light and a sweeping view of the 18th hole, especially from granite-topped, semi-circular bar. Little wonder Golf Digest named Fallen Oak one of the 50 best 19th holes. This is not the place for a burger, fries, and a Bud Lite. But if you’re so inclined, the Kobe beef sliders, homemade chips, and a local brew are a revelation. The kitchen puts a unique spin on a variety of local dishes, such as seafood gumbo, and traditional bar food.
Signature Hole » No. 18 » Par 4 » 493 Yards
To the right of the fairway lays the fallen oak for which the course was named. The downed tree remains as it was found when the property was discovered. The dogleg bends left around a dazzling set of fairway bunkers, with a man-made lake further left, which comes into play on the downhill approach.
Best Hole » No. 6, Par 5, 545 Yards
Huge oak trees on either side of the fairway, dictate strategy on this three-shot hole to a sideway-sloped green. Transplanted trees, especially on the flatter, open front nine, are the primary defense for many holes.
Dramatic Hole » No. 13, Par 5, 575 Yards
Two stellar views – downhill from an elevated tee to a tree-lined fairway, then uphill to a sprawling, intricate green complex.
