Old Waverly Honored

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism announced that Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, Miss., has been named a member of Golf Digest magazine's elite “America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses.” Ranked No. 94 on the list, Old Waverly joins the ranks of such hallowed courses as Pebble Beach, Augusta National, Cypress Point and Shinnecock Hills.

Established in 1966, America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses is the oldest ranking of golf courses in the game and is based on the extensive play and scrutiny of Golf Digest's evaluation panel. The America's 100 Greatest listings, which also include America's 100 Greatest Public Courses and the Best-in-State rankings, appears in the May 2005 issue, on news stands April 12.

America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses – including all new rankings, supplemental stories, methodology, the newcomers and drop-offs to the list, and a detailed account of how every course scored in all judging criteria – can be viewed now at http://www.golfdigest.com.

Designed by Bob Cupp and former U.S. Open champion Jerry Pate, and opened in 1988, Old Waverly hosted the 1999 U.S. Women’s Open, won by Juli Inkster. It has also hosted other top championships. Important upcoming events include the USGA’s 2006 Women’s Mid-Amateur, on October 14-19.

“Old Waverly is a superb golf club in a beautiful region of the state, and it’s wonderful that word of its excellence is spreading internationally,” says Leland Speed, the Mississippi Development Authority’s Executive Director. “We invite visitors to experience Old Waverly and complement their visit by trying some of Mississippi’s other top-rated golf courses. Furthermore, visitors must sample our other one-of-a-kind attractions, including our Southern hospitality, casino resorts, world-famous music, delicious cuisine, and our heritage, history and architecture.”

The private club in Northeastern Mississippi allows non-members who stay in the golf cottages at Old Waverly to play the layout. Built on gently rolling terrain, Old Waverly features two lakes that come into play on a number of holes. The club's many amenities include fine dining, a swimming pool, fitness center, meeting facilities, gardens, a Lavender Rose Garden, lighted tennis courts, member programs, and shuttle service to and from the airport.

For more information about Old Waverly, visit www.oldwaverly.net, call 662/494-8780 (golf shop) or 662/495-5485 (lodging). A free Golf Mississippi Travel Guide and more information are available by calling 866/801-8551 or visiting www.visitmississippi.org.