By Fred Altvater
I can safely report that golf opportunities in Mississippi are abundant and enjoyable.
On a recent trip to the Magnolia State, we were able to visit several top golf courses and resorts that would make any buddies trip, girls golf getaway, or family vacation the best ever. 
This was not my first trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and I have always enjoyed my time there. The white sandy beaches, warm breezes and deep blue water of the Gulf Coast will calm any troubled soul. This trip my eyes were opened to spectacular golf, the best dining to be found, as well as plenty of options for entertainment away from the golf course.
The first thing you notice, when you arrive in the Gulfport/Biloxi are the number of casinos and high-rise condos stretching along the beautiful white beaches. There are 12 casinos on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with every game of chance known to modern man.
We enjoyed staying in the Island View Resort, which actually includes two casinos, the Beach View and the Island View. The Beach View is smoke-free and both offer live entertainment.
I can confidently report that the dining in the area is first rate. On our very first night we were treated to one of the most delicious meals prepared by the resort’s chef. Every item was a piece of culinary art and the Bread Pudding for dessert was the best I have ever tasted.
My room was located on the 8th floor and afforded a gorgeous view along the beach. Since hurricane Katrina, nearly every hotel, restaurant and casino have been renovated, or rebuilt. The room was modern, spacious and comfortable.
While in Gulfport we played three golf courses, Windance Country Club, The Club at Diamondhead and Grand Bear Golf Club.
Windance Country Club
Windance Country Club is aligned with The Island View Resort with stay & play packages available. 
The course was designed by Mark McCumber, opened in 1986 and features over 6,600 yards of challenging golf complete with breathtaking landscapes, rolling hills and lush greens.
Since the Island View Casino Resort purchased the course in 2007, Windance has undergone significant renovation to make it one of the most enjoyable courses in the area, plus it is always immaculately maintained.
Windance has a received a 4-star rating by Golf Digest magazine and has hosted Ben Hogan and Nike tour tournaments. Past winners include, Jim Furyk, Tom Lehman, and Alan Doyle.
Windance Country Club is the perfect addition to any golf trip to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
The Club at Diamonhead
The Club at Diamondhead has two championship golf courses, plus the only indoor/outdoor, state-of-the-art Golf Academy along the MS Gulf Coast. Ten lighted, hydra-clay tennis courts are available at The Tennis Club, plus the community boasts a marina with direct access to the Bay of St. Louis and an airport. Golf, tennis, swimming and boating, the Club at Diamondhead has it all.
Both the Cardinal and Pine Courses at Diamondhead max out at a little over 6,700 yards. The has a slope rating of 131 and five sets of tees to accommodate every skill level. The Pine Course is slightly more difficult with a 136 slope, but also allows players to choose from five tee options.
If your game could use a little help, 2016 PGA Teacher of the Year, Hoppy Smith at the Academy at Diamondhead has everything to improve your swing. Individual lessons, club fitting and skill testing are all available using Trackman and FlightScope technology.
Grand Bear Golf Club
The PGA Tour Champions annually visits Gulfport for the Rapsican Systems Classic. It is normally held at Fallen Oak, yet another excellent course in the area, but due to renovations that took longer than planned, they could not host the event this year. Grand Bear, always in tournament condition, graciously stepped in. The tournament was won by Steven Alker and was held just a couple of weeks before we visited Grand Bear.
I rate Grand Bear one of the best courses I have played anywhere. This Jack Nicklaus design gets A+ marks for every feature. The course sits in the middle of the Desoto National Forest and requires a six-mile journey through a heavily wooded area to reach the beautiful log clubhouse. With no housing developments around the course, this is pure golf with only squirrels, deer and other woodland creatures to disrupt your golf.
As we left the first tee and headed down the fairway, the green surround was gorgeous. The contours and framing of the bunkers combined with the undulations of the green fit nicely into the surrounding terrain and was very pleasing to the eye.
Every subsequent hole was a repeat of the first. This is definitely one of Jack’s best works and worth the trip to Mississippi.
Mississippi Aquarium 
When Gulfport received their share of the damages BP Oil was forced to pay for the well leak disaster that left miles of Mississippi beaches covered with the black goo, they decided to build the world-class Mississippi Aquarium, that rivals anything that can be found anywhere in the world. They succeeded in creating a beautifully arranged aquarium that features nearly every type of fish to be found. Even alligators and crocodiles have their own residence in this all-inclusive attraction.
If you visit Gulfport with children, the Mississippi Aquarium is a must see for every family.
With 62 miles of beautiful beaches, a wide variety of entertainment, excellent dining, casinos for excitement, plus great golf, what are you waiting for? Make your plans to head to the Mississippi Gulf Coast today.
