Course review: In Miss., a rich experience

Par/Yardage/Rating/Slope
72/7,487/76.5/142

Description » Open to guests of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Fallen Oak is an outrageously upscale, 4-year-old casino course, similar to famed Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, minus the mountain setting. This is an unforgettable golf experience full of amenities: limo service to and from the course, a personal greeting at the gated entrance, shoe shining 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, a lack of visual tricks and five sets of tees make it as playable as most resort courses.

The situation » Set in Mississippi low country along the De Soto National Forest, Fallen Oak was built on a 510-acre tract crisscrossed by streams, ponds and wetlands. Fazio’s graceful layout flows naturally, then builds on the back nine, where he took advantage of some unexpected elevation change. The site emerged from a list of 20 potential venues.

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],” general manager David Stinson said.

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 tees and greens, set holes apart. Only one transplanted tree, the 43,000-pound “Discovery Tree,” on the 18th hole, was purchased.

Tournament ready » Fallen Oak hosted the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in May and received rave reviews from Champions Tour players like 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,” runner-up Tommy Armour III said. “The putts move around the hole.”

Only the lonely » Playing Fallen Oak can be a blissfully singular experience. “Thirty rounds is a fairly busy day,” Stinson said. “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 the 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.

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.

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