By John Howell Sr.

That the Mallard Pointe Golf Course on Sardis Dam has never been fully appreciated for its world class potential has become 2010’s challenge for Bowen Wallace, Drew Funderburk and Reed Hughes.

“We’re going beyond the next level,” said Wallace, a Como native who, along with business partner Drew Funderburk, recently leased the facility from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

Wallace, whose background includes a decade in finance, “finally got my break to get into the golf business,” he said. Funderburk recently returned from the Golf Academy of the South in Orlando, Wallace added.

Hughes is the PGA Professional who joined the facility last spring with an eye on the possibilities of the 300 acres that comprise the 18-hole, Robert-Cupp-designed course.

“It hasn’t blossomed; we see the potential it has,” Hughes said.

Bringing Mallard Pointe to that potential has been the focus of Wallace, Hughes, and course operators Jay Porter and Jesse Hickey. Reed’s wife Cyndi Hughes will continue to handle inside operations at the clubhouse, Wallace said. Since January 1 the new team has pushed to have the course pristine when warm days heighten golfers’ interest.

 “The golf carts were a problem, … the sand traps were a problem; we’ve taken care of this,” Wallace said. Fifty new Easy Go gasoline golf carts have been purchased, sand bunkers will be rebuilt to improve drainage and groundskeepers have intensified management of the greens. Cart path repairs and landscaping at the club house are ongoing.

“The golf course is one of the best designed golf courses you can find,” Hughes said.  “It has got this world feel,” the golf pro continues. “The aura of it; it makes me think of holes like number eight at Pebble Beach,” Hughes said.

Course designer Cupp, who also designed the Old Waverly course at West Point, utilized the rolling hills next to Sardis Dam to create striking elevation changes within the course. The result is a course that is challenging — “You can go to any golf course in America and you won’t find a shot that you won’t find here,” Hughes said.

Yet the course is user friendly. “Even though it’s a hilly golf course, it’s very walkable; many people walk when they play,” Wallace said. “It’s good exercise.”

In addition to course and cart improvements, Wallace and Funderburk plan marketing, packaging and pricing incentives. Unlike private clubs the public course requires no membership. “If you’re tired of paying those monthly dues and assessments when you’re playing, here, if you’re not playing you’re not paying,” Hughes said.

Now through Feb. 28, playing 18 holes with a cart will cost $30; playing and walking will cost $20 Hughes said.

For avid golfers, prices for playing privileges that allow unlimited course play range from $250 per semester for students to $900 for annual general memberships and $750 for seniors. A $350 annual fee purchases unlimited range balls, the Mallard Point golf director said.

Food and beverage prices have been lowered, Wallace continued.

• Alpine-style villas adjacent to the course are available for rent.

• Starting April 1, three-man, nine-hole scramble cash tournaments will be held each Wednesday to allow golfers to take advantage of the longer daylight hours.

• Women and junior clinics will help move Mallard Pointe “ … back into a family thing,” Hughes said.

The Mallard Pointe setting has natural and man-made advantages, including the beautiful Sardis Lake waters surrounding the manicured hills, greens and fairways of the course.

An added bonus is the wildlife sharing the course and its surroundings.

“I’ve seen owls, bald eagles, deer, ducks and turkey,” during his course travels, Wallace said.

“We’re trying to create the most tranquil, pleasurable golfing experience by providing 18 challenging golf holes,” Wallace said.

“It’s a peaceful place,” said Hughes.