Mississippi Announces Groundbreaking for Hugh White State Park Golf Course
JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism today announces construction has begun on the long-awaited 18-hole public golf course at Hugh White State Park on beautiful Grenada Lake.
Located in the North-Central part of the state, the 18-hole public golf course will be a new stop on the much-acclaimed Magnolia Golf Trail (www.magnoliagolftrail.com) and is anticipated to open in fall 2005.
The vision of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (DWFP), The City of Grenada and Grenada County is to complement the existing activities and facilities at the park. Hence, this new golf experience will cater to existing users of the park, as well as invite additional visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational experiences that Grenada and Grenada Lake have to offer.
In addition to officials wanting to develop a challenging addition to the state's highly regarded Magnolia Golf Trail, they drew upon the positive insights gleaned from two other courses at state parks - Quail Hollow (Arthur Hills design) in McComb and Mallard Pointe (Bob Cupp) in Sardis.
The DWFP retained the design and development team of Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, Inc., Global Golf Design by award winning golf architect Gary Baird and Wadsworth Golf Construction Company to create the plan for the 18-hole championship complex at Hugh White State Park.
The course will include multiple teeing areas, Bermuda fairways and greens, concrete cart paths and a comprehensive irrigation system to provide for maximum playability and maintenance.
The course's handsome 3,200-square-foot clubhouse will include a golf shop, small grill kitchen, restrooms and dining area. The building and site design flow seamlessly with the environment to sustain the natural state park setting.
Other facilities include a 6,250-square-foot integrated maintenance facility with 1,000-square-foot equipment and materials storage facility and 3,000-square-foot outdoor facility that will store approximately 75 carts.
The $4.9 million dollar turn-key project is expected to be ready in the late fall of 2005. MDWF has entered into an inter-local agreement with the City of Grenada to run the course at that time.
"We're extremely excited the course at Hugh White State Park in Grenada is scheduled to open next year," says Leland Speed, Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority. "This gives golfers and travelers worldwide another venue at which to discover that Mississippi offers convenient access to a wealth of unique, highly-rated golf venues and other attractions at extremely affordable prices."
Attractions contributing to Mississippi's growing popularity as a preferred golf-and-travel destination include:
• Great year-round weather and direct flights from major carriers;
• More than 140 courses that offer all price points and design varieties in five distinct regions;
• New and existing courses designed by top golf course architects that garner national recognition;
• More affordable courses than most other comparable U.S. golf destinations;
• World-famous gourmet cuisine, Delta blues music, and luxurious casino resorts offering star-studded shows;
• Family-themed attractions offering everything from parks and beaches;
• Widespread acclaim from the annual PGA Tour golf tournament held in the state capital, Jackson; and,
• History and architecture, including stunning Antebellum Era mansions turned award-winning B&B venues.
A free Golf Mississippi Travel Guide and more information is available by calling 866.801.8551 or visiting www.golfmississippi.org.
June 4, 2004