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PRESS RELEASES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Mississippi Nominated as "Emerging Golf Destination of the Year" Only U.S. Representative in the "Emerging Golf Destination" Category; Voted on by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators and the Golf Travel Writers Association (JACKSON, Mississippi) - The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism today announces the state is on the short-list of nominees for awards voted on by International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) members and the Golf Travel Writers Association (GTWA). Mississippi has been nominated in the category of best "Emerging Golf Destination of the Year." This is the second consecutive year that Mississippi has been nominated in this category, and it is the only U.S. representative golf destination included on the list, which includes Bahamas, Barbados, South Africa, Italy, Spain, Thailand, and Gold Coast, Australia. The IAGTO Awards are the official annual awards for the golf tourism industry. The gala awards evening takes place during the International Golf Travel Market each December. This year's event is Dec. 9 in Biarritz, France. "The annual golf holiday is the highlight of the golfing year for many of the world's 50 million players, and the IAGTO Awards serve to reward a few exceptional contributions to this world of golf travel," says IAGTO Chief Executive Peter Walton. Awards are bestowed in three categories: Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year, Emerging Golf Destination of the Year, and Established Golf Destination of the Year. Last year's winners in these categories, respectively, were New Zealand, Dubai, and Northern Ireland. "Golfers, golf tour operators, and golf travel writers worldwide are increasingly discovering Mississippi offers convenient access to a wealth of unique, highly-rated golf venues at affordable prices," says Robert J. Rohrlack, Jr., the MDA's Executive Director. "Visitors tell us they love complementing their one-of-a-kind golf experiences in Mississippi with trips to our many other attractions, including new casinos, world-famous music, delicious cuisine, and with our heritage, history and architecture." This is the second time this month that Mississippi has been cited for its premier golf-travel opportunities. Of 314 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Mississippi areas of Biloxi-Gulfport (No. 64) and Hattiesburg (No. 76) were cited by Golf Digest magazine as two of the best U.S. golf areas in the just-released Metro Golf Rankings. Both Mississippi areas ranked in the top 24 percent and above Honolulu, Tucson, Las Vegas, and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, for example. The rankings were scientifically analyzed and compiled by a Golf Digest research team which assigned values for the following categories: * Weather/climate A dozen new, Mississippi golf courses are currently under development and will open in the near future. Golf-tourism revenue has increased more than 41 percent the past three years (1999-2002). Attractions contributing to Mississippi's growing popularity as the preferred golf-and-travel destination include: · Great year-round weather and
direct flights from major carriers; Golf-course architects represented in Mississippi are Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Davis Love III, Jerry Pate, Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, and Hale Irwin. Representative golf courses are Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point, host of the 1999 U.S. Women's Open won by Julie Inkster; award-winning Dancing Rabbit at Pearl River Resort and Casino in Philadelphia; and the Nicklaus-designed Grand Bear Golf Club in Gulfport near Biloxi. A free Golf Mississippi Travel Guide and more information is available by calling 866.801.8551. # # # Mollie Gregory |
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