Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

The Country Club of Oxford

Oxford, Mississippi

MS #9

Established

2006

Architect

Jim Fazio (redesign), Greg Clark (original Grand Oaks site)

Access

Private

Par

Par 72

Length

5,153 – 7,028 yds

The verdict

A strong local member's test

The Country Club of Oxford delivers a modern, championship-length private golf experience cut through rolling Mississippi hills. Its Fazio-redesigned fairways reward straight driving and strategic choices, while the closing stretch is primed for drama. The course is a staple for Oxford's golf community but remains under the national radar.

Course DNA

Difficulty

Scenery

Conditioning

Shot Variety

Walkability

Green Complexity

Wow Factor

Design Quality

Don't miss

Check out the walk up the back-nine amphitheater stretch (holes 14–18), where members gather to watch late-round drama during big events.

At a glance

Quick facts

Longest hole

602-yard par-5 (No. 4)

Shortest par 3

136 yards (No. 5)

Course architect

Jim Fazio (2006 redesign)

Original site

Former Grand Oaks Golf Course

Club access

Private – members & guests

Signature event hosted

2018 North Mississippi Classic (Web.com/Korn Ferry Tour)

Greens grass

TifEagle Bermuda (per regional norm)

The design

The architecture

Jim Fazio’s 2006 redesign took advantage of gently rolling Mississippi terrain and mature hardwood corridors to create a modern private club test. Strategic angles matter from tee to green, with spacious fairways giving way to tough green sites that punish the wrong approach. The full layout encourages aggressive play on reachable par 5s, but penalizes missed spots with challenging recoveries—especially in the final six holes where tournaments are often decided.

Fazio’s use of the existing Grand Oaks land retained mature corridors while imposing his signature bold bunkering, wide playing surfaces, and demanding long-game finish.

Defining features

Challenging mix of long and short par 4s
Heroic par 3s, including a true bruiser at No. 11
Multiple risk/reward par 5s with smart layup options
Mature hardwood framing on key driving holes
Strategically bunkered greens with bailout and danger zones
Modern Fazio shaping throughout

Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 4

The Long Gamble

PAR

YARDAGE

602

This epic par 5 stretches over 600 yards, demanding both power and patience. Tee shots set up a choice: blast it for position or lay back and attack the green from distance. The hole's long second and sharply angled layup create a true three-shot puzzle.

Play it smart

Smart players favor position off the tee and a carefully chosen layup for their approach, avoiding the temptation to bite off too much in one go.

Where it bites

A poor layup angle brings bunkers and tough pitches into play, turning a birdie chance into bogey territory.

Course management

Shots to think about

Opening tee shot on No. 1

Play for the fat part of the fairway and avoid over-swinging; a safe drive sets up the layup and third.

Second shot on No. 4 (The Long Gamble)

Be honest about your distance—often it’s smarter to lay up for a full wedge, as the green complex punishes poor angles.

Tee shot on No. 11 (Monster Down the Hill)

Take the club that actually gets you to the green, even if it feels like too much—short is no good at 260 yards.

Second shot on No. 14 (Decision Ridge)

Before attacking, check your lie and wind; there’s no shame in laying up and wedging to a pin.

Approach to No. 18 (Championship Closer)

Favor the center of the green—missing long leaves a brutal up-and-down.

Par 5s with reachable options

Ask if going for it leaves you a real birdie putt, or just brings double into play.

On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Generally well-groomed private-club standards with firm, fast greens and closely monitored tees and fairways.

Pace

Pace of play is typically brisk due to private access and member culture; rounds flow smoothly on most days.

Vibe

Upscale, low-key, and membership-focused—expect solid camaraderie among regulars and a relaxed, local club feel.

Dress code

Standard private club attire expected; collared shirts, no denim or athletic shorts.

Before you tee off

Your game plan

Dial in your long irons

Several holes, especially No. 11, require confidence with hybrids or fairway woods off the tee.

Practice punch shots

Prevailing winds on open holes can force creative, lower ball flights into greens.

Expect uneven lies

The rolling landscape means uphill, downhill, and sidehill lies—practice from awkward stances.

The lore

How it came to be

2006
Country Club of Oxford opens after full Jim Fazio-led redesign on Grand Oaks site.
2018
Host of the North Mississippi Classic, a Web.com (Korn Ferry Tour) event—Oxford’s first pro sports event.
2019
Club completes expansion with new clubhouse and amenities.

Stories & legends

What makes it special

club-legacy

The Reborn Oxford Club

Locals tell a story of a ‘disappearing’ country club—the old club long gone until the new CCO rose on the Grand Oaks site, giving Oxford its championship course for a new generation.

tournament

Mississippi Makes Pro Golf History

When the club hosted the 2018 North Mississippi Classic, it marked Oxford’s first-ever professional golf or sporting event—a milestone celebrated throughout town.

play-tactics

Testing the Fazio Stretch

Veterans point to the combo of holes 11, 14, and 18—the par-3 brute, the risk/reward par 5, and the demanding closer—as the stretch where championships are won or lost.

member-advice

The First Tee Decision

No. 1’s open par-5 design lures big swings from the start, but locals know an early misstep can haunt you through the turn.

For the group chat

Fun facts

Hosted Oxford's first-ever professional sporting event with the 2018 North Mississippi Classic.

The course occupies the land of the former Grand Oaks Golf Course—redesigned but still part of local tradition.

The lone 260-yard par 3 (No. 11) is notorious among members as 'the card killer.'

The club has grown rapidly alongside Oxford's own rise as a vibrant college town.

Build the trip

If you're making an Oxford golf trip out of it

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip

The Links at Oxford Golf & Country Club

Public

Accessible, player-friendly Oxford option with flexible tee times—an easy pairing for visiting golfers.

Stay in downtown Oxford near the Square for quick access to dining, shopping, and a short drive to both clubs.

Course DNA

If You Like The Country Club of Oxford

Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.

Strong DNA Match7.3

Maryland Golf & Country Clubs

Bel Air, Maryland

Why it matches: If The Country Club of Oxford is your kind of course, Maryland Golf & Country Clubs is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.

Strong DNA Match7.9

Cape Cod National Golf Club

Brewster, Massachusetts

Why it matches: If The Country Club of Oxford is your kind of course, Cape Cod National Golf Club is worth a look because it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.