The Millbrook Golf and Country Club is the result of an accumulation of dreams, from familiar names like L. O. Crosby, Jr., Jack Read, C. Hooker Quick, Miles Roper and others, to create a tranquil place to enjoy playing golf in Picayune, Patrick Collins III, Millbrook Country Club manager said.
In April of 1954, a meeting was held at Fred McDonald’s house, former president of the Millbrook Golf and Country Club Board. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of opening a golf course in Picayune. After four months of planning and raising money, the original members of Millbrook Golf and Country Club, McDonald, C. Hooker Quicker, Miles Roper, Paul Garner, Emory Hodgson, Jr., Thomas Crosby and O.N. Stevenson opened the club as a 9-hole par 36 golf course, with a total length of 3,200 yards, previous coverage states. On Dec. 30, 1954 Millbrook hosted its first tournament and eventually extended the course to 18 holes. In 1959, the clubhouse was built, making Millbrook the most convenient and affordable golf course and country club in south Mississippi, Collins said.
“Besides Millbrook, the closest place people have an opportunity to play a full round of golf is in the Gulf Coast, and is much more affordable to play than anywhere I can think of,” Collins said.
Today, the 6,548 yards of luscious greens, gentle rolling fairways and strategic layout creates a challenging course for even veteran golfers, but it also provides a couple of holes that are a great way for young athletes and beginners to get started in the sport, he said.
“The course can be difficult at some holes, but because of the wide open spaces, it serves all levels of play with ease. It’ll challenge those that have played for a long time and help beginners get better without getting frustrated,” Collins said.
Millbrook is open to the public and is consistently ranked among the top semi-private golf courses in south Mississippi, Collins said.
Some of the various services offered at the club include a pro shop, practice area, snack bar, private golf tournaments, club repair, driving range and a regulation size swimming pool. Picayune and Pearl River Central high schools use the course for practice and swim meets during swimming season. The swimming pool is also open to members during the club’s regular hours.
Besides the quiet location and layout, Collins and Board members take pride in its affordable membership and non-membership rates.
Also, the club supports two golf associations, one for men and the other for women. The B.U.G.G.E.R.S. is a senior golf club for men 49 and older to participate in friendly, yet competitive, rounds of golf. The organization, which stands for Brothers Under God, Golfing Everywhere Raising Sand, was created in 1985, and continues to play daily at Millbrook along with numerous tournaments throughout the year.
The Ladybugs Golf Association is another club Millbrook supports. It is a golf club for women of all ages who also enjoy participating in friendly and competitive games of golf. They host many fun and exciting tournaments throughout the year, including a Spooktacular Tournament during Halloween.
People do not have to have a membership to play. To sign up for a membership or schedule a tee time, call 601-798-8711.