Katrina-ravaged golf course restored -- reopens Friday Published Oct. 30, 2007 By Airman David Salanitri 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Bay Breeze Golf Course reopens, 8 a.m. Nov. 2, completely restored since being devastated by Hurricane Kantian 26 months ago. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the occasion at 8 a.m.. The first ball is teed up at 8:30. Golfers may play for the special rate of $10, including refreshment. Katrina flooded greens and deposited silt and mud several inches deep over much of the course. Salt water from the Back Bay of Biloxi killed the grass and hundreds of notice trees. The $4.5 million restoration project included scrapping off dead grass, spraying the course with new grass seed, digging up and replacing greens and replacing dead trees with flower beds. The layout remains the same, although golfers may notice the greens have a different look. The size, contours and grass of the greens have been changed. "The greens used to be common Bermuda, but we decided to go with Tifdwarf Bermuda this time," said Tama Manu, director of golf for the 81st Services Division. "Tifdwarf has been used on the newer courses in the area. The hybrid grass is easier to maintain and is more suitable for our climate." "We are extremely happy with the results of the restoration project," said Manu, noting the restored course now meets U.S. Golf Association standards. Bay Breeze is a Par 71 layout, ranging from 6,517 yards from the back tees, to 6,139 yards from the middle tees, to 5,330 yards from the front tees. "I can honestly say that the Keesler community should be very proud of their newly restored course," said Manu. "It's something that was two decades overdue." Future plans call for the construction of a multi-functional event center, including a club house and pro shop. The contract is scheduled to be awarded by late November, according to Donnie Davis, project manager for Katrina military reconstruction. For more information on Friday's activities, tee times or rates, call 228-377-3832.