Getting To Know: Mossy Oak and Old Waverly Golf Club

Whether you have played a course 20+ times a year or looking to play the course for the first time, insights from an insider can help enhance your golf experience. Below is an interview with Gary Billington who shares some valuable tidbits about the course, memorable holes and must eats and treats at the 19th.

Why should a golf group consider the tandem of Mossy Oak and Old Waverly for their next golf trip or why should they add it to their golf travel bucket list?
The Golf Clubs of Mississippi (Mossy Oak and Old Waverly), located in the northeastern of Mississippi, offers an unrivaled golf experience. Golfers will enjoy two highly distinct, world-class golf courses located just across the street from one another, but in a tranquil Mississippi Black Prairie setting that feels worlds apart from anything you've experienced before.

We are located in the northeastern of Mississippi, often referred to the Black Prairie region. we're located about 20 minutes from Starkville, which is where Mississippi state

On property we have two beautiful championship courses. Groups rave about the golf here because you have two unique and distinct types of course. So many times traveling golfers go to a location and get the same course round after round. Golfers are amazed at the different style between the golf courses and they are located just a few miles away.

If Someone Was Looking To Golf In The Area, Why Should They Play Your Course?
Mossy Oak is Open to the public while Old Waverly is semi-private. We are often asked, how can a public golfer play Old Waverly. A pubic guest or traveling golfer can play the course if they play with a member or stay on property.

What Tips or Local Knowledge Would You Provide To Help Them Score Better At Your Course?
For Mossy Oak one of the biggest places that you're either going to make or lose a lot of strokes is going to be around the Greens. Our fore caddies are very knowledgeable on reading the greens for you and providing advice hitting the right approach shot. Our caddies will save you strokes.

Old Waverly is tree lined and you need to keep it in the fairway off the tee.

Recent Awards or What You Are Most Proud About The Course?
Mossy Oak
* #3 Best New Course in the US - Golf Digest, 2017
* Top- 100 Modern Course in US - Golfweek, 2018

Old Waverly
* Golfweek's Top-100
* Golfweek's #1 Residential Golf Course in MS
* Golf Digest's Top-100
* Golf Digest's #1 Golf Course in MS

Old Waverly has also had the honor to host several high-profile championship golf events over the years, including the SEC Women's Championship, the Women's US Mid-Am, and most notably, the 1999 US Women's Open won by World Golf Hall of Famer, Juli Inkster. Old Waverly has also been selected to host the 2019 US Women's Amateur.

What Is The Signature, Most Talked About, or Most Photographed Hole?
The 17th hole at Mossy Oak is one our guests will never forget. The par 5 hole is reachable in two however the green sits on top of hilly knob guarded by a 32,000 square foot bunker. It's dubbed George's bunker named after our owner. It's a beautiful hole. The key to playing number 17, especially if you're going for that eagle opportunity is the approach, shot into the green. So the key is to recognize that that green, while it looks close, almost sitting right there on top of the knob. In actuality, the green sits 30 yards further back. So having the right distance and compensating some extra yardage for the hill is important.

Hole 16 is considered the signature hole at Old Waverly. On the tee box you need to determine how much of the pond you want to bite off. The fairway slopes left to right toward another pond. It is a very intimating tee shot. Your approach is to a massive elevated green. Earlier in the round I tend to scout where the pin to plot how I am going to attack the pin.

What Is Your Favorite Hole? Any Tips to Play It?
My favorite hole at Mossy Oak is hole three, it's the short drive-able par four. If you want to go for it you can but it is a high risk reward hole. The two tiered green is guarded with very deep bunkers. If you hit it left off the tee, you can get in a lot of trouble in those bunkers. There are days I go for it and days I utilize strategy and layup to a wedge. It can be an easy birdie or a tough double bogey.

My favorite, like so many of the members is hole 18. You have views of Lake Waverly and a majestic club house on top of the hill. Our finishing hole is incredible scenic and memorable.

Must Have Dish or Drink after the round at the 19th Hole?
At Old Waverly we offering both casual pub fare or sophisticated dining options. The club property features a variety of venues that include everything from laid-back dining on the terrace overlooking Lake Waverly, to a formal, elegant setting from inside the Magnolia Room.

For the traveling golfer, do you have lodging onsite or partner with any area hotels?
Can you share what lodging options you offer and the configurations you can provide for groups.
Lodging is available at both golf courses. Mossy Oak has brand new luxurious cottages situated on the tenth fairway and provide spectacular views overlooking the golf course. Each Cottage offers a spacious common area in the center with four individual bedrooms, and each bedroom offers two queen beds. Guests have the option of renting either the entire Cottage or individual bedrooms. These are ideal for the traveling foursome, small groups and couples.

Old Waverly also has nine cottages on Lake Waverly. Each cottage has a common living center with a sitting area, wet bar, coffee station, under-the-counter refrigerator with icemaker, microwave and covered porch with a panoramic view of the lake and the course. Each bedroom has a private bath and individual flat-screen television. In addition to the cottages, Old Waverly has lodging options in private villas and condominiums, and luxury homes

Between the two properties so we can sleep about 180 per night.

A big part of my job is putting together packages for groups.

Best time to travel and visit/play golf at the property?
In my opinion, the two best times to come are spring ad fall. April through June is fantastic times to be here as the weather will provide ideal golf conditions. Our fall season is spectacular as well from mid September through about mid November, fall is a beautiful time to be here as well, especially coming here during the week.

Back Tee Stats
Mossy Oak
Par: 72
Yardage: 7212
Slope: 74.5
Rating: 136

Old Waverly
Par: 72
Yardage: 7088
Slope: 74.7
Rating: 144

More Information
Mossy Oak - www.mossyoakgolf.com
Old Waverly Golf Club - www.oldwaverly.com