Mississippi Development Authority Launches Golf e-Travel Brochure

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism has announced that its comprehensive 2007 Golf Guide can now be viewed online at http://www.visitmississippi.org/golf/ and clicking on the ONLINE GOLF GUIDE icon.     

The state's 2007 Golf Guide lists information about the courses, accommodations and package information, including breakdowns of the state's five diverse topographical and cultural regions:

The Delta - birthplace of the Blues is comprised of flatlands;
The Hills - home of gently rolling landscapes;
The Pines - the east-central part of the state is blanketed with forests;
The Capital/River - features winding waterways and rich history in the central-southwest corner;
The Coastal - located in the southern part of the state along the Gulf of Mexico beachfront.

"Avid travelers and golfers are increasingly looking online for information and we're committed to doing everything we can to make it easy for them to visit our great state," says Mississippi's Tourism Division Director D. Craig Ray.

Mississippi is one of the nation's rising golf-and-gaming tourism centers thanks to more than two dozen resort casinos, many of which feature outstanding golf courses. Several resorts, casinos and new courses opened in 2006, with others slated to debut in 2007. These include:

* Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi (summer 2007 scheduled opening);
* The Preserve Golf Club, a Jerry Pate design is part of the Palace Casino Fallen Oak, a Tom Fazio design and amenity of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino;
* The Dogwoods at Hugh White State Park (a Gary Roger Baird design), one of three fine courses within state parks (Mallard Point and Quail Hollow are the others).

Mississippi has collected several recent distinctions. The ZAGAT Survey, Golf Digest, Golfweek and Golf magazines have rated Mississippi's courses as among the best in the nation. Attractions contributing to Mississippi's growing popularity are:

* Great year-round weather and direct flights from major carriers;
* More than 150 golf courses offering all price points and design varieties in five distinct regions;
* New and existing courses designed by top golf course architects that have garnered national recognition;
* World-famous cuisine, Blues music and casino resorts offering big-name entertainment;
* Family-themed attractions of all types;
* An annual PGA Tour event in Jackson;
* History, heritage and architecture, including antebellum mansions and B&Bs.

For more information about Mississippi golf, gaming and other tourism opportunities, call 866/801-8551 or visit www.visitmississippi.org.