Bay Pointe Golf Club in Brandon, MS has been family owned and operated since 1992. Brent Belton and his family have over 90 years combined experience in golf. More than that, the Belton’s are a Godly family and use Bay Pointe as a way to bring people of all ages to Christ regardless of where they are in their spiritual walk. There’s a weekly prayer meeting around 6 a.m. on the first Monday of every month, however Brent’s door is always open. The monthly prayer meeting is attended by staff, regular golfers and business people on their way to work. These meetings are open to anyone seeking the Word of Christ. It’s the family’s way of giving back to the community which has embraced them and help them spread the Word.
From the back tees, Bay Pointe plays 6,713 yards with a par of 72. The course has a rating of 73.2 and a slope of 129. Four sets of tees make Bay Pointe a playable and enjoyable course for golfers of all abilities. Over the years, Bay Pointe Golf Club has hosted several professional tournaments such as The Hooters Tour, The T.C. Jordan Tour and the Tour America Pro Tour.
The golf course at Bay Pointe is recognized for being in excellent condition year-round. The natural landscape, majestic timberlands and native wetlands you play through on the lush fairways lead to small greens which require a precision approach shot. Many of the holes are lined with trees on either side of the fairway, requiring a certain amount of control off the tee. There are only two bunkers on the entire course – one in front of the green on the par 5, 10th hole and on in the front left of the green on 18. However, if you think this course is a pushover because of the lack of sand, you’re sadly mistaken. First of all, the greens are small. On several holes, the greens are guarded by small, man-made ponds that may not be visible from the tee box. What you’ll find is that there is enough trouble in the form of woods that creep in tight near a couple of greens and natural hard pan areas around a few others provide a challenge.
Memorable Holes
Number 3: Par 3, 118 yards. Although short, this can be a tricky little par 3. There’s a tree right if you push it off the tee and water short left if you try and get cute. Play for the middle of the green and hope you don’t spin it too much or you could find the aforementioned water.
Number 7: Par 5, 515 yards. A long par 5 that takes a good strike off the tee just to reach the turn. Left center of the fairway is the best position off the tee. Should you have the chance to go for the green in two, play up the right side and play for a favorable kick. The small green is firm so do your best to keep the ball below the hole. Anything over the green can be trouble and lead to a big number.
Number 12: Par 4, 360 yards. One of the few straight fairways on the layout. It’s narrow and keeping it in the fairway can be tricky. You’ll need to play your approach shot over a small pond to a small angular green.
Number 15: Par 5, 515 yards. This is Bay Pointe’s signature par 5 and features water on either side of the green from about 150 yards and in. Most players will layup at the bottom of the large hill and then play their approach uphill to a long green. Take an extra club and be sure of the pin position. There’s a few ways to play this hole, which makes it a lot of fun.
Number 18: Par 4, 370 yards. A dogleg right with out of bounds to the right on the parallel fairway. A good drive that leaves you on the left side of the fairway heading into the green is the preferred spot and leaves an easy approach shot into the green. Just be sure to avoid the course’s second bunker on the left. The green has a lot of subtle undulations and can be tricky to read. Make the putt and end the day on a good note.
Bay Pointe Resort & Golf Club has one of the area’s best junior golf program, and in an effort to make the game of golf more accessible and enjoyable for other junior golfers, the Brent Belton Golf Academy places an emphasis on a year round golf development program. Their GOLF Initiative – short for Giving Our Love Freely – was created to help young people grow the game of golf in two areas: through the game of golf itself and by the life lessons that can be learned when the game is played properly. This is done by not only teaching golf, but also learning what kind of influence the love of Christ has on all our lives. The GOLF Initiative is proudly sponsored by Callaway Golf and is open to all Junior golfers 11 years of age and older. The program runs from June – August and offer juniors much more including free lessons, golf, practice time, and more.
Kids Golf 365 is designed for year round fun and game development and focuses on teaching the proper fundamentals of the full swing, short game, rules & etiquette, health and fitness, safety, and beginning concepts of the rules of golf. Bay Pointe’s Team Golf Summer and Fall leagues are 6 week programs that allows kids to practice and compete with others, while playing in a fun format designed to introduce and elevate their golf experience and enhance their social development skills. Parents can get involved with their kids by either coaching or caddying. Bay Pointe also utilizes the United States Kids Golf (USKG) Tee system. These Green tees offer a scaled down golf course for junior golfers and are designed to promote a quicker round of golf for all to enjoy.
The great golf at Bay Pointe is surpassed only by a special brand of southern hospitality and the God-centeredness you find in the staff. To experience this for yourself, visit and play your next round at Bay Pointe Resort & Golf Club, visit their website at www.baypointegolfresort.com.