x

May

22

2015

Best Of Tunica Golf

 Best Of Tunica Golf

It’s said that the golf season doesn’t truly begin until the azaleas are in full bloom at Augusta National and a new Master’s champion is wearing the green jacket.  Watching this year’s tournament, it was hard to miss the more than 1,600 azaleas at the iconic par 5, #13 at the end of Amen Corner.  A stark contrast to the azaleas at Augusta was found last week with the water and island green at the par 3, 17th at the Player’s Championship. 

Most of us are will never wear the green jacket like Jordan Speith or hoist the Player’s Championship trophy like Rickie Fowler.  Golf, however, is a game that does let us play the same courses and holes as the pro’s.  So, it got me thinking. What are the signature holes at Tunica’s two championship courses, River Bend Links and Tunica National?   

While we might not have an amen corner or and island green, I asked Matt Cooper, director of marketing at Tunica National and PGA Professional, and Chris Culver at Riverbend Links what they feel is their courses featured hole.

#9 River Bend Links

Par 4 420 yds

The finishing hole on the front side has a great view of the clubhouse coming in. Your tee shot will need to navigate between the 3 lakes that frame the hole. Once you find the fairway you will have to check the hole location in order to make it to the correct tier of the large well bunkered green. The wind definitely can affect every shot here in the MS Delta. On this particular hole, the prevailing wind is usually crossing the fairway from right to left.

Tunica National Golf & Tennis Hole 5#5 Tunica National

Par 4 326 yards

In my opinion, while other holes can play tougher and get more fanfare, #5 at Tunica National is the most intriguing hole on the golf course. The par 4 only plays 326 yards from the men’s tees but offers up a wide range of options and strategies. With bunkers guarding both sides of the fairway and a pond stretching the entire left side of the hole, the tee shot must be carefully placed in order to attack the well guarded green. Also, under certain wind conditions, the longer hitters have the option to try and drive the green and set up an eagle or easy birdie opportunity. However again, with the pond guarding the left side of the green and several bunkers guarding long and right, even the most aggressive players will have to think long and hard about taking on this great risk / reward par 4.

If you have played either of these courses, do you agree with our resident experts or do you have a different favorite hole in Tunica.  If you love the game of golf, you’ve got to have a favorite hole.  Please let us know your favorite hole in the comments below!  As for me, my favorite is always the 19th hole.  

Leave a comment