Oaks at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club

The Oaks at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club opened in 1997 as the second of two Tom Fazio designs at this resort property in east-central Mississippi. Jerry Pate, the 1976 U.S. Open champion who transitioned into course design, collaborated with Fazio on the project. The course sits on land owned by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and operates as part of a larger resort complex that includes casino and hotel facilities.

The routing moves through rolling terrain characterized by mature hardwood forests, primarily oak and pine, which frame the fairways and create a sense of enclosure distinct from the more open feel of the property's companion Azalea course. Fazio's design philosophy here emphasizes strategic bunkering and elevation changes, with greens that feature subtle contours and require careful approach play. Water comes into play on several holes, and the natural topography provides variety in lies and shot requirements throughout the round.

Dancing Rabbit has hosted various regional amateur championships and collegiate events over the years, taking advantage of its location roughly midway between Memphis and Jackson. The facility caters primarily to resort guests and regional golfers, offering a high-maintenance conditioning standard typical of Fazio's work. The Oaks and Azalea courses provide contrasting experiences on the same property, with the Oaks generally regarded as the more demanding test due to its tighter corridors and more pronounced terrain movement.