Course Name: The Oaks Golf Club
Designer: Dr. Gil Morgan (1998), Stephen Caplinger/Chris Cole (Redesign, 2006)
Location: Pass Christian, Mississippi
History: Originally designed in 1998, this course hosted the Nike and Buy.com (Web.com now) Tour in 1999 and 2000. Since then it has hosted Q School.
Conditions: 8/10, although it was March, this course was already in great shape. Green and well-manicured, the only downside was that there were some wet spots on some holes.
Value: 8/10, on the weekdays, this course is $35 for a cart and 18, which was a ridiculously good deal. It gets a bit more pricey on the weekends but is by no means overpriced.
Scorecard:
Tee Par Yardage Rating Slope
Gold 72 7006 72.5 131
Blue 72 6354 69.6 121
White 72 5778 67.3 115
Red 72 4691 66.4 107
Hole Highlights: At just 345 yards, the first hole eases you into your round. The greatest difficulty on this hole is the extremely sloped green. The second hole is the number 1 handicap hole and plays over 100 yards longer from the Gold Tees. From the Blue Tees, it is a short dogleg left par 4 that goes extremely uphill. The third hole is a tight one, with heavy forests lining both sides of this slight dogleg right. A new neighborhood was being built on the right side of this hole and George hit one inside a house. The par 3 7th is a great hole. At just 150 yards, water spans the length of the hole and a deep bunker guards short shots. I thought the short par 5 8th hole belonged in Lake of Isles. A claustrophobic tee shot over 200 yards of wasteland makes the drive on this hole the hardest shot. After a long finishing hole, you move onto a great back 9.
Another short par 5, the 10th hole is aesthetically very pleasing. A downhill drive must avoid water and trees on the right side. Hole 11 was a very intimidating hole. At over 400 yards, a straight drive is required as OB lines both sides of the fairway. The green is guarded by water on the right side and OB on the left side, making a long approach shot very difficult. Hole 12 is another fantastic short par 3, only diminished by the fact that it is essentially the same hole as 7. Hole 13 was a confusing hole off the tee. This extreme dogleg right requires a fade carried over wasteland. Straight or left drives like mine will be caught in a large fairway bunker. After a few more pretty holes, 18 is a real beast. At 415 yards, this hole plays significantly longer if you consider how uphill it is.
General Comments: The clubhouse was beautiful and had a real country club feel to it. A large practice green and chipping green also were top-notch. While range balls were not provided, the range was vast and had both mat and grass options. Also, the pace of play was fantastic, as we played in 3.5 hours.
Verdict: This course is definitely one I would come back and play again. For the price, I advise anyone to in the Biloxi-Gulfport-Slidell area to do the same. Not all the holes are amazing, but the course is beautiful and in amazing condition.
