Rave of the Day:
Dancing Rabbit, Mississippi

By the Editors of Golf & Travel Magazine

Rave of the Day Broadsides, infatuations, rants and swoons from the editors of Golf & Travel magazine

Dancing Rabbit, Mississippi

There is hidden, and then there is secret, secluded and utterly out of sight. The first time you lay eyes on Dancing Rabbit, you are absolutely astonished that such a course could exist where it does. OK, you’re not searching for the source of the Nile on this expedition, but it almost seems it as you navigate narrow Mississippi two-lane blacktops past saw mills and the very occasional farm. Then, there it is: beneath a bower of Southern yellow pines, white and red oaks, hickory, walnut and magnolia trees, a jewel box of golf splendor.

Should you look upon the two Tom Fazio/Jerry Pate-designed courses and sputter, “Augusta National?” it would not be a coincidence. Such are their riches that a visiting member from some snooty club would not feel he has stepped down in class at this daily fee. (And cargo-pantsed members of the muni set would cry out—as we heard one fellow yelp—“So this is what a great course is all about!”)

Courses this fine are not what anyone would expect to find in Philadelphia, Miss.; (population 8,500). Largesse for the operation comes from an on-property casino built by the owners of this land, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. Chief Phillip Martin wanted the course as an additional draw for the casino, and to provide a small club membership. Upstairs in the clubhouse are eight luxury suites available to customers. There is not exactly a surplus of hotel rooms available within a 50-mile radius, but that is part of the charm. New Orleans is a four-hour drive away.

• Past New Jersey Reviews • This Week at TravelGolf.com • Archives: Past Raves of the Day

Once at large on either course (the Azaleas opened in 1997, the Oaks a year ago), you are quickly under the intended spell. The place was designed so that you can play an entire round without once seeing another golfer. If you ever wanted to feel lost in the woods, this is the place to feel the enormity of the forest primeval. —L.R.

Dancing Rabbit Information

Designers: Tom Fazio/Jerry Pate (1997)

Length: Azaleas: 7,128 yards; Oaks: 7,076 yards

Rating/slope: Azaleas: 74.4/135; Oaks: 74.6/139

Information: Phone: 888/372-2248
Web site: www.dancingrabbitgolf.com

Price: Mon–Thur, $60; Fri–Sun, $80. Carts $16

Walking policy: Permitted, caddies available

Nearest hotels: If you believe gambling and golf are a perfect match, the reservation’s 500-room Silver Star Resort & Casino is the perfect place to stay. 800/557-0711

Seen playing here: John Daly, Mike Ditka, Archie Manning, Charles Oakley and Wesley Walls.