The Preserve Golf Club

The Preserve Golf Club in Vancleave, Mississippi, was designed by Jerry Pate, the former U.S. Open champion who transitioned to golf course architecture in the 1980s. Located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast region, roughly twenty miles north of Biloxi, the course occupies a wooded property that takes advantage of the area's natural pine forests and rolling terrain. Pate's design philosophy typically emphasizes strategic shot-making and playability across different skill levels, and his work often incorporates the existing landscape rather than imposing dramatic earthwork. The routing at The Preserve moves through stands of mature pines and features elevation changes uncommon in the flatter coastal plain closer to the Gulf of Mexico. The property's natural contours provide varied lies and approach angles, while water features come into play on several holes. Pate's designs generally favor wide fairways that reward positioning over pure distance, with green complexes that require thoughtful approach play. The club serves the Vancleave and greater Jackson County community as a semi-private facility. The Gulf Coast region's golf scene expanded significantly in the decades before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and courses in this area have since rebuilt and continued to serve both local memberships and visiting golfers drawn to Mississippi's more affordable golf options compared to neighboring resort markets. The Preserve fits within this regional context as a daily-fee accessible course offering a wooded, parkland-style experience distinct from the coastal links-influenced designs closer to the water.