Come November, golf course designer Tom Fazio, 61, adds another feather to his already illustrious cap with the opening of Fallen Oak, part of the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. “This spectacular course is the final piece of the destination resort puzzle for Beau Rivage,” says George Corchis, President & Chief Operating
Officer of Mississippi Operations for Beau Rivage & Gold Strike. “The inherent beauty of the terrain provides an outstanding natural canvas for Fazio's latest golf masterpiece.”

Fazio himself harbors high expectations, saying, “Fallen Oak promises to be viewed as one of the best new courses in America.” The man knows whereof he speaks: no living designer has more credits (14) on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.

Golf architecture is a Fazio family affair. Uncle George Fazio mentored Tom and his brother Jim, and now their sons, Logan and Tommy, respectively, who are intent on making sure that golfers continue to enjoy Fazio-designed golf courses for generations to come. Recently,
M lifestyle chatted with Tom Fazio.

Q: How old were you when you got into the business?

A: Nineteen. I was a field worker on the Squires Golf Club in Philadelphia, the same course that my son Logan is presently designing a renovation. It has come full circle.

Q: If you were not designing golf courses, what would be your dream job?

A: CBS announcer Jim Nantz covers the Masters, the Final Four, the NFL – and he told me he wants my job! I’ve got my dream job and if I couldn’t do this, I’d retire.

Q: What attracted you to Fallen Oak?

A: The opportunity to work with MGM MIRAGE again after our successful association with Shadow Creek in Las Vegas. Bobby Baldwin, President & CEO of Mirage Resorts & President of CityCenter, is a golf fanatic, and it’s nice to know MGM MIRAGE is committed to quality. As for the land, with the interesting terrain and all the wonderful trees, we knew all the ingredients were there to create a special golf course.