Donation from member leads to improvements at Sunkist Country Club

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – Ben Benoit opened one of the new putting greens at Sunkist Country Club with a putt Wednesday morning.

This putting green is one of many recent upgrades to the club, along with improved golf cart paths and fencing to be installed soon.

All changes were made possible by a $200,000 donation from Benoit and his wife, Wendy, with the hope of bringing the club up to par with newer courses.

“I wanted to further the golf course,” Benoit said. “My wife and I decided that if we do it now while we are here to enjoy the course, it’d be better than doing it after we pass on.”

New management recently took over Biloxi’s only golf course.

Russ Bloom, the CEO of Bloom Golf Management, said these improvements are crucial to building the game and sparking interest for new players.

“All of these projects together are really going to elevate the experience for members, for golfers, and especially junior golf,” Bloom said. “All junior golfers need this space to be able to put the hours in, to improve and reach their goals wherever the game takes them.”

Benoit has been working on projects at the country club since the 1990s and has been playing even longer. He said Sunkist has left a lasting impression on him.

“It’s the only course I’ve ever played continuously. I live just five minutes away,” Benoit said. “To see it grow and improve makes my life a little bit better.”

Hundreds of holes later, Benoit said he’s happy to return the favor to the club.

The city of Biloxi also awarded Benoit with a proclamation, declaring October 15, 2025 as Ben Benoit Day, for his generous donation to the country club and his service in the military.

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