Bobby Jones Links (BJL), a rapidly expanding club management and development firm, is excited to announce its partnership to manage the semi-private Live Oaks Golf Club located in Jackson, Mississippi. Situated in a serene, pastoral area just northwest of the city, Live Oaks spans 130 picturesque acres. Originally established in 1969 and designed by John F. Stahl, the club features an 18-hole, par-72 course measuring nearly 6,600 yards. The fairways meander through a parkland landscape, presenting subtle challenges like uneven lies, shifting angles under the oak trees, and demanding Bermuda greens.
Live Oaks has evolved into a comprehensive destination, offering Roosevelt’s restaurant and bar, the historic Reed House event venue, and the new Bunk House accommodation capable of hosting up to 60 guests, allowing visitors to play, dine, celebrate, and stay all on-site.
BJL’s expertise will drive improvements across the board, including a new irrigation system, enhanced agronomy standards, refined service training, an upgraded dining experience at Roosevelt’s, and the addition of group accommodations. These initiatives mark the beginning of an exciting new phase for Live Oaks.
“The late Kyle Morris, the club’s longtime owner, envisioned Live Oaks as a special place for the Jackson community. His wife, Kathryn Merrell, and their two sons are continuing this legacy through strategic investments to elevate the property,” stated Amy Buchanan, BJL’s Vice President of Revenue Management. “With planned upgrades to the golf course, transforming Roosevelt’s into a more upscale dining destination for the community, and introducing new group lodging to complement the esteemed wedding venue, Live Oaks is well on its way to realizing Kyle’s vision.”
Over the years, Live Oaks has cultivated a strong sense of community, supported by its clubhouse and Roosevelt’s adjoining bar and lounge. Additional amenities like a pool and family-friendly areas further enhance the club’s welcoming atmosphere.
The Reed House, a premier wedding and event venue nestled among majestic oaks, is a grand 10,000-square-foot hall featuring an open-air pavilion and ceremony sites integrated into the natural surroundings. Pathways designed for both beauty and convenience connect these spaces. The venue is equipped to host intimate gatherings and large celebrations, offering full bar service and staging facilities for flawless events. The Bunk House retreat, designed for large groups, golf outings, wedding parties, corporate retreats, and gatherings, solidifies the property as a self-sufficient destination where all needs are met.
“Bobby Jones Links has a proven track record of enhancing customer experiences at venues like ours. We are incredibly confident in their ability to help our staff elevate service at this exceptional venue, making it a constant draw for visitors,” said Merrell. “Improving the quality of food and service at Roosevelt’s will foster a deeper connection with the community and transform Live Oaks into the vibrant place Kyle always envisioned.”
BJL plans to further enhance the club’s impact through culture-focused staff training at the Bobby Jones Leadership Center, the implementation of AI-driven business practices, and programs designed for customers, employees, and golfers. These efforts aim to foster the growth of the game and strengthen community bonds for future generations.
English Translation:
Live Oaks Golf Club Enters a Bold New Era Under Bobby Jones Links Management
Bobby Jones Links (BJL), a rapidly growing club management and development company, is pleased to announce its selection to manage the semi-private Live Oaks Golf Club in Jackson, Mississippi. Located northwest of Jackson, where urban edges transition to a quieter, more rural Mississippi landscape, Live Oaks unfolds across 130 scenic acres. Opened in 1969 and designed by John F. Stahl, the club features an 18-hole, par-72 course stretching just under 6,600 yards. Its fairways gently roll through a parkland setting, revealing subtle challenges such as uneven lies, shifting angles beneath the oak canopy, and demanding Bermuda greens.
Live Oaks has evolved into a true destination, with Roosevelt’s restaurant and bar, the timeless Reed House event venue, and the brand-new Bunk House accommodating up to 60 guests, allowing visitors to play, dine, celebrate, and stay without ever leaving the grounds.
From overseeing a new irrigation system and implementing sharper agronomy standards to providing elevated service training, an upgraded dining experience at Roosevelt’s, and adding group accommodations, every improvement reflects BJL’s expertise and points towards an exciting next chapter for Live Oaks.
“Longtime owner Kyle Morris, who passed away last year after a prolonged health battle, always had a vision to make the golf club a truly special place in the Jackson community. That vision continues with his wife, Kathryn Merrell, and his two sons, who are overseeing a strategic investment to make this place better than it’s ever been,” said Amy Buchanan, BJL’s Vice President of Revenue Management. “With the upgrades to the golf course, transforming Roosevelt’s into a more upscale, versatile dining attraction for the surrounding community, and adding new group lodging to complement the world-class wedding venue, Live Oaks is well on its way to fulfilling Kyle’s vision.”
Through the years, Live Oaks has evolved into a gathering place, anchored by amenities like the clubhouse, home to Roosevelt’s adjoining bar and lounge. A pool and family-friendly spaces further contribute to the club’s distinctly communal character.
The Reed House, a wedding and event venue built beneath cathedral-like oaks, is a renowned 10,000-square-foot hall with an open-air pavilion and ceremony spaces woven into the landscape, all connected by pathways designed as much for elegance as practicality. The venue accommodates everything from intimate gatherings to large celebrations, offering bar service and staging capabilities for seamless operations. The Bunk House retreat, capable of hosting large groups, golf outings, wedding parties, group retreats, and corporate gatherings, transforms the property into a self-contained destination where everything you need is at your fingertips.
“Bobby Jones Links has an incredible history for helping operations like ours elevate the customer experience, so we’re extremely optimistic that we’re in good hands to help our staff raise the service at an excellent venue that people will want to visit at all times of the day. Raising the quality of the food offerings and service at Roosevelt’s gives us an opportunity for a deeper connection with the community and to make Live Oaks the kind of place Kyle always knew it could be,” Merrell said.
Over time, BJL will deepen its impact through culture-based staff training at the Bobby Jones Leadership Center, AI-supported business practices, and programs for customers, employees, and golfers, building a foundation that will grow the game and bring the community closer together for generations to come.