Windance Country Club
19385 Champion Circle, Gulfport, MS
Windance Country Club has quietly ranked among Mississippi's best courses since Mark McCumber carved this championship layout out of the pine woods north of Gulfport in 1986. Now run by Island View Casino Resort and named Gulfport's Best Golf Course for 2025, it backs up its trophy case with a real test of golf.
Interesting Fact
It's hosted both the Ben Hogan and Nike pro tours — past champions include 2003 U.S. Open winner Jim Furyk — and was voted Gulfport's Best Golf Course for 2025 by the Quality Business Awards.
Course Layout
McCumber laid out more than 6,600 yards across rolling, pine-forested terrain, with water working its way into play on well over half the holes. The back nine tightens up considerably — narrow, tree-lined fairways demand accuracy off the tee more than raw length, and the greens run fast enough to punish a careless wedge. The closing holes near the clubhouse, framed by a lake and a stand of tall pines, are what most golfers photograph on the way to the 19th hole. Confident ball-strikers will enjoy shaping shots around the doglegs; high-handicappers should plan on losing a sleeve of balls to the water and taking in the scenery anyway.
Getting There
Windance sits inland from the beach, off Landon Road near Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport — about a 20-minute drive from the Highway 90 casino strip in Biloxi. From the beachfront hotels, take I-110 north to I-10 west, then follow the airport-area exits to Champion Circle. It's close enough to the runway that a lot of visitors squeeze in one last round before an afternoon flight home. There's no beach view from the fairways, but the pine-shaded quiet is a nice change of pace after a few days on Highway 90.
Nearby Stay & Play
Windance is owned and operated by Island View Casino Resort, though Island View's own rooms aren't part of this guide's hotel roster. For a convenient airport-area stay, Residence Inn by Marriott Gulfport-Biloxi Airport and Hilton Garden Inn Gulfport Airport both sit minutes from the course, with Holiday Inn Gulfport-Airport and Quality Inn Gulfport I-10 as solid budget picks nearby. Golfers based on the beach can still make the drive — Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront is about 20 minutes south — but the airport cluster is the practical call if golf is the main event.
Our Take
Windance earns its reputation the hard way, with a real test of shot-making instead of a pretty scorecard padded by short par-4s. Skip it if you want an easy resort round with a drink cart every three holes; book it if you want 18 holes that reward patience around the water. Play early when the wind is calmer, bring a few extra balls, and don't leave without a look at the 18th green from the clubhouse porch.
Details last verified August 2026. Always confirm current rates and tee times directly with the course.