History

The Mississippi State University Golf Course is the host facility for the MSU PGA Golf Management program, MSU Men’s & Women’s Golf Teams and the MSU Golf and Sports Turf Management Program. In 1985 the University hired Brian Ault, ASGCA to design the 6,972-yard 18-hole championship golf course, it opened in 1986.  It is ranked among the top 30 university-owned golf courses in the country according to Golfweek Magazine.

In January 1996, Golf Digest listed the University Golf Course as the fifth-best public course in the state of Mississippi. In a 1995 end-of-the-year supplement, Mississippi State's 18-hole course was included in the 1996-97 "Places to Play" listing, an honor also received by MSU in 1994 and 1991. Also in the December supplement, Golf Digest called the University Golf Course the "best college course in the South," adding it was "challenging, but fair" with a "fun, walkable layout."  Annually MSU Golf Course earns the People’s Choice “Best Golf Club” by the Starkville Daily News.

The architectural design of the golf course provides a mix of both playable and challenging golf holes. It is rare to play the MSU Golf Course and not use every club in your bag. Water hazards come into play on 9 holes.  Holes #6, #12, and #14 are long par 4s lined with large, mature pine trees and out-of-bounds stakes; they are a true test of patience and courage.

The aesthetics of the course come together on the three lakeside holes, #7, #8, and #9. These holes have a 40-acre lake running along the left side and large trees running down the right side. The beautiful landscape of Mississippi farmland can be seen across the lake, creating a sense of serenity while playing these three picturesque yet difficult golf holes.

In 2011, Nathan Crace, ASGCA Assoc. designed a new practice facility for the men’s & women’s golf team and in doing so redesigned #10 & #18, with a recognizable “Paw” as the final finishing green. This shortened the course to 6,600 and reduced the par to 71.  The result was a more fun and enjoyable experience for everyone.  Working with the MSU Forestry Department, additional trees were planted on several holes in 2012 & 2013 with volunteers from the Forestry Club and community members.

During the summer of 2022 the course went under a greens renovation transitioning from MS Supreme greens to an ultradwarf grass called TifEagle headed up by MSU Graduate, Tommy Shook.  In addition, the #9 greens complex from 50 yards and in was completely redesigned by Nathan Crace, ASGCA to a more friendly and playable complex.  Tee boxes on holes 2 and 13 were converted from bermuda grass to zoysia grass along with being flattend.  The entire project was funded by the golf course and was slightly over $500,000.  Leading the way was Head Superintendent, Jimmy McPherson, GCSAA and his crew on many of the improvements made to the course during the summer months which were made to enhance the playability of the course.