TUNICA, MI. - We arrived in Memphis by air, took a 30-minute drive south – passing Elvis Presley’s former Graceland Estate along the way - and stopped in this self proclaimed “Casino Capital of the South” around noon.

We dropped our suitcases at the Taj Mahal of golf resorts, the Grand Casino Tunica, and headed for the first of three championship courses we were scheduled to play in this northern Mississippi town that has become an oasis for golfers and gamblers alike.

But the one thing that isn’t a gamble for golfers is the quality of Tunica’s courses. In fact, there's a troika of courses here - River Bend, Cottonwoods and Tunica National - that are sure bet when it comes to quality, service, conditioning and challenge.

River Bend would be our first introduction to Mississippi golf. and it was love at first sight!

The 6,923-yard River Bend, the only area course that has joined the state’s popular Magnolia Golf Trail, is the county’s most unique experience. Architect Clyde Johnston did his best to create a pseudo-links course, complete with 144 pot bunkers, nine lakes and fairway mounding. The land, an old cotton field, is completely devoid of trees, leaving it exposed to harrowing winds from the nearby Mississippi River.

River Bend looks more Scotland than Mississippi. Thanks to the rolling landscape offered in this Mississippi Delta town, Johnston was able to create the illusion of a Scottish-links masterpiece. The five tee settings make River Bend challenging for all levels of play but those here just for a relaxing round won’t be disappointed either.

River Bend proved to be a perfect introduction to Tunica golf – and the best was yet to come.

Next was Cottonwoods, one of the finest tests of golf ever created. Part of the Grand Casino’s 2,200-acre entertainment complex, Cottonwoods was designed by PGA star Hale Irwin and the course is just like Irwin – a winner.

The flat land here didn’t stop Irwin from producing some of the state’s most challenging holes - the 549-yard seventh and 512-yard 17th are two of the most memorable you’ll play in a state that rivals its southern neighbors as a quality golf destination.

Every inch of Cottonwoods 6,952 yards is a treat to play. It’s not hard to see why this course was awarded the 2004 Casino Player Award as best golf course.

The gently rolling fairways, three sparkling lakes and the ever present handsome casino complex is eye candy that makes for a very pleasant experience.

Our last stop was Tunica National, the best golf and tennis twosome in the state. Tunica still has to grow up a bit before maturing into a great golf course like its older town neighbors. However, the course, which opened in 2004, keeps getting better with age.

The 7,210-yard Mark McCumber design is a $12 million facility has the infrastructure to become one of the truly great vacation golf and tennis destinations.

We were greeted by a 360-degree driving range and then elected to warm up on the course’s six hole par-3 practice facility. What a great introduction!

By the time we arrived at the first tee, we were relaxed and ready for any challenge. And the course, highlighted by strategically-placed water hazards and bunkers, provided plenty. The five tee settings makes the course playable for all levels and the golf cart GPS system is a luxury you’ll need on this deceiving course.

Tunica has come a long way from the 20 hotel rooms it offered travelers in 1991. Today there are over 6,300 rooms, over 14,000 slot machines and 465 gaming tables with lots more to come. The County is planning to build a convention center with hotel accommodation adjacent to another planned course in the near future.

Golf, gambling and good times – that’s what awaits you in Tunica.