BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- The award-winning Bridges Golf Club opens to the public more than a year after being closed due to Hurricane Katrina. The new multi-million dollar renovations have been completed for a few weeks as the new turf is now mature and ready for play. The newly renovated clubhouse will reopen later this year.

“The opening of the new Bridges Golf Club at Hollywood Casino is another example of the resilience and determination of our employees and to the Community’s efforts to recovering,” said John Chaszar, assistant general manager at Hollywood Casino. “As one of the many jewel courses along the Coast to attract players from around the country, we’re also pleased to be able to offer our local players a special reopening fee,” said Chaszar.

The Bridges, the first resort golf course in the world to be granted the Audubon Silver Signature Status by Audubon International and the state’s only Arnold Palmer Signature course is part of the new Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis. Hollywood Casino is offering an internet special good for nearly half-price to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama residents. Details are available on the Hollywood Casino website at www.hollywoodcasinobsl.com.

Seaside Golf Development, of Pensacola, Florida, under the watchful eye of Arnold Palmer’s Course Design Company, removed and replaced the old turf from the entire golf course and has now completed the final stages of grassing the entire course with more than one-hundred acres of Certified Tifway Bermuda sod from tee to green as well as repairing all drainage and bunkers on the golf course.

“Overall, the golf course routing has remained untouched but some minor modifications in the way of shaping have been made to make the course more resort and player friendly,” said Chris Altese, PGA director of golf at the Bridges.

The total square footage and number of bunkers remain the same. Some bunker locations have changed slightly to improve the playability of the course and to be more conducive to the renovation process.

“Greens on holes #3, #10, and #17 have been raised slightly to improve the drainage that was damaged by the storm. Amazingly, the one mile span of bridge work and bulkheads stayed in place and had very minimal damage from the storm,” said Altese.

Hollywood Casino opened in late August with the Hollywood Hotel offering 291 guest rooms, 900 new slot machines, 20 unique table games, and a new 6-table poker room. Three restaurants are open including, Tuscany Steaks and Seafood, Jackpot Java, and the all new Epic Buffet. The Bridges Grill will open later this year. The fully renovated casino operation, land-based facility has 17,000 square feet of function space and nine private meeting rooms.

To be one of the first to play The All New Bridges Golf Club book your tee time or overnight golf packages today by calling 1-866-7-LUCKY-1 or online at www.hollywoodcasinobsl.com. The Hollywood Hotel and the Hollywood RV Park is also accepting reservations.