Golf

Birdies for Charity Volunteer Opportunities Meet the Players Schedule of Events

MS Gulf Resort Classic

The Professional Golf Association has announced a new tournament for the 2010 PGA TOUR Champions Tour, with Habitat for Humanity of the MS Gulf Coast as the charitable beneficiary. The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic will take place April 28 - May 2 at the Fallen Oak Golf Club in Saucier, MS and will consist of three days of competitive play and a Pro-Am, along with a wide array of special events.

HFHMGC's relationship with PGA Tour official Mickey Bradley helped to spark interest in having a larger golf event in the area. As the driving force behind the Mickey Bradley Habitat for Humanity Katrina Pro-Am from 2006 - 2008, Mickey Bradley has been invested in Gulf Coast recovery and HFHMGC for years. The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic will be the first Champions Tour event held in Mississippi.

There are many ways you can become involved in the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic excitement. Individuals can support Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast by donating through Birdies for Charity, volunteering at the event or attending the tournament as a spectator. For complete information on how to become involved, explore the links below:

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May 11, 2010 Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast would like to thank everyone who made the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic an astounding success. The crowds were good, the rain stayed away, and the golfing was great! According to MGRC tournament director Steve Neiman, “We exceeded expectations. I’m still amazed at the spirit of the people here. People are still telling me how much fun they had. We created an event where they wanted to be here.” Neiman estimated 50,000 people attended the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic over the five days of the tournament.

David Eger was the winner of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic shooting 11-under par over three days of play and beating Tommy Armour, III by a narrow one-stroke lead.

Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the tournament, everyone who donated to Birdies for Charity, and everyone who continually supports the mission of Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
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April 26, 2010 Rod Spittle made four birdies on his way to a 4-under-par 68 at The Bridges Golf Club to tie for medalist honors and earn one of the three qualifying spots remaining for this week’s Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Fallen Oak. Seventy-eight golfers will compete in the new Champions Tour event that runs Friday through Sunday.

The 54-year-old Spittle earned his second start on the Champions Tour this year with straight drives and a steady putter. He had two birdies on each nine and never 3-putted.

Spittle shared low honors with James Mason. Robin Freeman won the third spot in a 3-for-1 playoff by making birdie from 15 feet on the second playoff hole.

“It was a pretty good day at the office,” said Spittle. “If somebody would have told me before I started that I could have a 68 and stay put, I would have taken it. It was real windy from the start and I knew when I made the turn at 2 under I had a pretty good thing going.”

In other tournament notes, Fulton Allen and Bruce Vaughan have replaced Ken Green and Dave Eichelberger in the field.

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April 23, 2010 University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban will join professional golfer Jerry Pate and three other amateurs for a 9:15 a.m. tee time Thursday (April 29) in a Pro-Am team format at Fallen Oak in advance of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, which will start Friday and run through Sunday (April 30-May 2).

Saban, whose football team won the national collegiate title and posted a 14-0 record in 2009, will be joined by amateur partners Roy Anderson, Bobby Mandal and Bo Mandal. Pate, an Alabama alumnus, won the 1976 U.S. Open at Atlanta Athletic Club.

Professionals and amateurs will be paired in 52 teams each day for Pro-Am competitions on Wednesday and Thursday. All professionals in the field for the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic will play at least one of the two days. Tee times will run each day from 7:15 a.m. through 2:15 p.m. ____________________________________________________________________

April 22, 2010 The organizers of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic April 28-May 2 at Fallen Oak are planning more than just a great golf tournament on the Champions Tour. The new event will offer true Gulf Coast-style festivities as well as a chance to see the best players in the game.

The schedule of events and on-site festivities will start Thursday night with a Hard Rock Pool Party, featuring music sensation SASS. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the door (Tournament volunteers admitted free).

In recognition of another great sporting event on the same weekend, attendees are invited to a Kentucky Derby Party and an outdoor concert presented by Beau Rivage following play on Saturday on the clubhouse lawn. Mint Juleps will be flowing and a jumbo screen will show the race live.

Fallen Oak will be a main attraction too, with golfers who own 27 major championships challenging the 7,054-yard layout that was recent voted the best course in the state.

“We want the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic to be the top event on the Champions Tour for the players and a celebration for South Mississippi,” said Steve Nieman, tournament director.

Complimentary admission will be offered to all active and retired military personnel and their families on Friday and to college students (with valid college photo ID) on Saturday. Additionally, children age 15 and under will be admitted free any day when accompanied by a ticketed adult. To create great viewing areas, grandstands for general spectators will be available on holes 1, 9, 17 and 18 and party decks will overlook the 9th and 18th greens.

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April 21, 2010 Cable One subscribers in South Mississippi will enjoy more than 17 hours of tape-delayed coverage of the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic April 30-May 2 on basic cable channel 18.

Tournament coverage will begin at 5:30 p.m. (CDT) on Friday and Saturday, and 6 p.m. Sunday. There will also be re-airs throughout the weekend.

“Cable One is proud to provide a free preview of the Golf Channel to all of our 94,000-plus subscribing households in South Mississippi,” said Steve Price, regional sales manager. “Our subscribers and all of our visitors for the week will have a chance to enjoy the Golf Channel’s exclusive coverage of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic all week as part of Cable One’s basic service.”

The Golf Channel coverage will be anchored by veteran announcer Brian Hammons. He will be joined by Curt Byrum and Billy Andrade, a former PGA TOUR player who will be making his announcing debut in the booth. Billy Ray Brown and David Marr will provide on-course commentary.

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April 20, 2010 All active or retired United States military personnel with a military ID are invited to enjoy complimentary admission for themselves and their families on Friday, April 30, at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic at Fallen Oak. The tournament will conclude Sunday, May 2, with special military events as part of the closing awards ceremony.

Friday is the first day of competition and military personnel will also serve as standard bearers for each group of professional golfers.

“The support we have received from the military bases here has been overwhelming and we are honored to invite those who safeguard our freedom to be our guest and enjoy the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic,” said Steve Nieman, tournament director.

More than 200 military personnel have pitched in as volunteers for the week as well.

Ken Gestring, a 45-year-old emergency medical technician and a 24-year veteran stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, is one of those who will serve as a volunteer for caddie services. Gestring submitted his volunteer application online from Afghanistan. He ended a nine-month tour of duty there earlier this month, but not before he was injured by a grenade explosion.

His quick response to help save nine lives, including his own, has earned him the distinguished Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal. He has already received the Army Combat Field Medal. ______________________________________________________________________

April 15, 2010 All general parking for the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, set for April 28-May 2 at Fallen Oak, will be staged free of charge at the IP Resort and Spa, off I-110 just three miles south of I-10. From there, continuous and complementary bus shuttles will transport spectators to Fallen Oak and drop them at the main admission gate. Daily tickets will be available at the gate and at the IP box office for $15 each.

Shuttles will run to and from the golf course from 6:30 a.m. until one hour after play has concluded each day, Wednesday through Sunday. Officials anticipate the one-way shuttle trip will take less than 30 minutes. Spectators are invited to bring cameras only for practice rounds on Wednesday and Thursday.

“We need all general ticket-holders to adhere to our plan so that we can provide a pleasurable experience for everyone,” said Steve Nieman, tournament director. “We will have as many as 45 buses on the loop during peak times, so no one will have to wait.”

Parking will not be allowed anywhere on Highway 15, and walk-ins from the road will not be allowed.

“State troopers will ticket and tow all cars parked along Highway 15,” said Corporal Johnny Poulos, public affairs officer for Troop K, which includes Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties. “It’s a security and safety concern that we just can’t allow. We need to keep an open traffic flow on Highway 15. Troopers will also be directing traffic and have signage in place so that traffic moves easily to the IP lots without congestion.”

There is hard-surfaced parking for more than 5,000 cars at the IP, one of the 12 major sponsoring companies for the new Champions Tour event. Fifteen major champions and six members of the World Golf Hall of Fame are committed to the 78-player field.

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April 8, 2010 CLICK HERE to view the updated list of confirmed Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic players!

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April 6, 2010 The winner of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic will collect a $240,000 check and hoist a 14” trophy replica of the restored and recently re-opened Biloxi Lighthouse. The inaugural Classic will be played April 28-May 2 at Fallen Oak. Fifteen major champions and six members of the World Golf Hall of Fame are committed to this Champions Tour event.

“The Lighthouse has been an enduring symbol of this Gulf Coast and the fortitude of this region’s people,” said Steve Nieman, tournament director. “In this small way, we hope to tie our tournament winners to the history and people of this great Gulf Coast.”

Built in 1848, the 65-foot cast-iron Biloxi Lighthouse on Highway 90 was recently re-opened for visitors after a 13-month renovation. Originally located at the water’s edge, the Lighthouse now stands 200 feet from the shoreline. The Lighthouse, which is the city’s logo and a featured symbol on the State license plate, is open for weekday morning tours.

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April 2, 2010 Interested to see who's confirmed their attendance at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic?

CLICK HERE to see the current list of committed players!

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March 30, 2010 Ian Woosnam, the 1991 Masters champion and victorious captain of the 2006 Ryder Cup team, has accepted a sponsor’s exemption into the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic April 28-May 2 at Fallen Oak.

A native of Wales, Woosnam split his playing time between the Champions Tour in the United States and the European Senior Tour in 2009. He won the Irish Seniors Open and was the second leading money winner on the European Senior Tour last season. His best finish on the Champions Tour in eight starts was a tie for 13th at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.

Woosnam, 52, claimed 44 victories worldwide as a member of the regular European Tour. He twice was that Tour’s leading money winner (1987 and 1990) and was the European Tour Player of the Year in 1987. He played on eight consecutive European Ryder Cup teams from 1983-97, with a career record of 14-12-5.

“I am playing in my 22nd Masters Tournament in early April and I am keen to play a run of tournaments before heading home,” said Woosnam. “It is an honor to come to Mississippi and play in your event as I always enjoy playing in the stronger field events.”

Woosnam is the 14th major champion to commit to playing in the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic. There are also six members of the World Golf Hall of Fame in the field.

“We are thrilled that Ian has made himself available to strengthen our field even more for the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic,” said Steve Nieman, tournament director. “Our field is a “Who’s Who” in the game of golf and it is without a doubt one of the best fields on the Champions Tour this year.” _____________________________________________________________________

March 26, 2010 Rich Westfall was as happy as Tournament officials when he found out that golfer Lee Trevino was going to play at the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic April 28-May 2 at Fallen Oak.

He became friends with the six-time major champion when he hired Trevino annually to help fundraising for the Anthony Dartez Golf Classic here on the Gulf Coast from 1994-2000. Now he’s looking forward to seeing his buddy again.

“He epitomizes what the Champions Tour is all about,” says Westfall of Trevino, one of six World Golf Hall of Fame members committed to playing next month. “He is there to give back the gift that was given to him.”

Westfall, president of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation since 2008, is giving back too. He is heading up the scoring committee as one of more than 800 volunteers signed up to support the Tournament.

“I believe it is the volunteers who make a tournament great,” said Westfall.

Westfall has spent more than 20 years in marketing and community service positions on the Gulf Coast. He is also a golfer who sees this tournament as “a big event to help communicate what we have here on the Coast.”

“This is a chance to get our name out there,” said Westfall. “I got some friends together and became part of the volunteer force to support this tournament. It will be fun.”

Westfall has been a resident of the Gulf Coast since 1992, when he left his home state of Texas to become marketing director at the Isle of Capri Resort. In 2008, he was inducted into the Mississippi State Tourism Hall of Fame.
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March 22, 2010 Paul Azinger, who won the 1993 PGA Championship and 11 other times on the PGA TOUR, has committed to play at the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic April 28-May 2 at Fallen Oak.

A rookie on the Champions Tour since turning 50 in January, Azinger played full-time on the regular tour from 1982 through 2006 and won at least one tournament in seven consecutive years from 1987-1993. His win at the PGA Championship in a playoff over Greg Norman was one of his three victories that season. He has played on five U.S. Ryder Cup teams and was the victorious caption of the 2008 U.S. team.

Azinger’s biggest win, however, was against lymphoma cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments in 1994 and has been cancer free for more than 13 years. He chronicled his battle with cancer in his book that bears his nickname, Zinger.

“I love the Gulf Coast and I look forward to playing and seeing everyone there,” said Azinger.”I have a fondness for the area. I want to be prepared and play well. I guess I’m expected to play well, but I have to earn it. The Champions Tour is a “Who’s Who” in the game of golf.”

Azinger joins nine other major golf championship winners already in the field. Six of those golfers are members of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

“We are really excited that Paul has made the decision to make the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic one of the first events that he will ever play on the Champions Tour,” said Steve Nieman, tournament director. “With every day that goes by, our field is getting better and better. Undoubtedly, this will be one of the best fields on the Champions Tour this year.” _____________________________________________________________________

March 11, 2010 Jerry Pate of Pensacola, Fla., who sealed his win at the 1976 U.S. Open with a memorable 5-iron approach from the rough to 2 feet on the final hole at Atlanta Athletic Club, has confirmed his participation in the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in April at Fallen Oak. The PGA TOUR’s Champions Tour event is set for April 28-May 2.

Pate, 56, a Georgia native who is one of the region’s most decorated golfers, won eight times during his PGA TOUR career. He was runner-up another 15 times. Since turning 50, he has won twice on the Champions Tour, but has battled injuries the last few years. Pate attended the University of Alabama and won the 1974 U.S. Amateur title, then turned professional the next year.

“I am excited to have the chance to compete in my home region again on the Champions Tour,” said Pate. “I love the Gulf Coast and have enjoyed my ties to the area, both professionally and personally. It means a lot to have this opportunity, and now that I am healthy I look forward to this being a fresh start and being competitive once again.”

The Classic is one of 26 official events on the Champions Tour for 2010, and the field of 78 players will compete for the $1.6 million purse and a $240,000 winner’s share. Competitive rounds in the 54-hole event are set for Friday through Sunday. The popular pro-am tournaments will be held on Wednesday and Thursday. ___________________________________________________________________

March 5, 2010 One lucky golf fan who can answer five simple questions about the Gulf Coast and the Champions Tour will win the Ultimate Getaway Weekend for Four.

That’s the unique promotion offered by the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, which will be played April 28-May 2 at Fallen Oak.

The promotion includes airfare, a four-night stay at the IP Casino, Resort Spa, a foursome in Thursday’s Pro-Am, dinner, spa treatments and VIP limo service. It will be supported by Golf Channel commercials and online content through March. The winner will be chosen by random drawing in early April.

Tournament officials hope to draw more than 1 million correct entries during the month. To enter the contest, go to http://www.msgulfresortclassic.com ____________________________________________________________________

November 3, 2009 The PGA TOUR's Champions Tour in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Business Council announced the addition of a new tournament to the Champions TOUR schedule for 2010 – the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic to be held April 28-May 2, 2010.

The tournament will feature three days of competitive play, a Pro-Am as well as numerous special events including a Junior Pro-Am and Junior Clinic. Champions Tour favorites Hal Sutton, Loren Roberts, Fred Funk, Jay Haas, Bernhard Langer, Tom Watson, Hale Irwin, Fuzzy Zoeller and more are expected to compete.

“The Gulf Coast Business Council has a vision of seeing the Mississippi Gulf Coast become a Tier One tourism destination. Achievement of such an ambitious goal requires that we have nationally recognized events and attractions,” explained Anthony Topazi, Chairman of the Gulf Coast Business Council. “The PGA Champions Tour is a signature event for any region of this country and is a significant step in becoming a Tier One destination. This Tournament will showcase the Mississippi Gulf Coast's premier golf, fishing, and resort amenities on a national and world-wide basis.”

The tournament will be played at Fallen Oak, a Tom Fazio design that features streams and marshland as well as pecan and magnolia groves. The course features dramatic elevation changes and more than 4,000 stately oaks, magnolias, pines and other hardwood trees. In less than three years, Fallen Oak has been recognized as one of the best new courses in the country, garnering 12 national honors. The most recent is arguably one of the most prestigious: a spot in the top-20 of the elite, all-access Golf Digest’s "America's 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses,” where Fallen Oak debuted at No. 19.

“Fallen Oak was built with the intention of challenging golfers of all abilities and handicaps. It tested the likes of Ryder Cup captains Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo during last year's Captain's Challenge. Now, we look forward to seeing how Fallen Oak will stand up to some of the other legends of the game. Knowing this course and how unique it is, I have no doubt that these incredible players will find a thorough test of their games when they play it next spring.” said George P. Corchis, Jr., president and chief operating officer of MGM MIRAGE's Mississippi Operations, which owns Fallen Oak.

The tournament will be broadcast on Golf Channel, which reaches an estimated 81.5 million households in the United States and an additional 86 million households in 112 countries around the world. It is expected that the tournament will draw volunteers and ticket buyers from around the country as well, based on data from other Champions Tour events.

The financial foundation of the tournament was established by a consortium of businesses including the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, IP Casino, Resort & Spa, Grand Biloxi, Island View Casino Resort, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Cellular South, the State of Mississippi, Roy Anderson Corp, Yates Construction, and Southern Company, as well as Harrison and Hancock County's Tourism Commissions.

Operating as a 501c3, the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic with donate all charitable dollars to Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Gulf Coast. “We are proud of the way our community has come together to make this happen and we are especially delighted that Habitat for Humanity of the Gulf Coast will be the beneficiary of this tournament. This organization continues to serve countless families in our community in helping to rebuild homes and lives,” added Topazi.

“Our players look forward to this terrific addition to our 2010 Schedule,” said Mike Stevens, President of the Champions Tour. “Mississippi has a rich history of hosting PGA TOUR tournaments and we're delighted to team with these great partners for the first Champions Tour event in Mississippi.”

The tournament's foundation hired Bruno Event Team to manage the event, including the sponsorship sales, marketing, volunteers and operational set-up. “We are very excited to be part of this event - the leadership and support the community has shown to date is incredible and is a great indicator of success for the tournament,” explained Gene Hallman, President and CEO, Bruno Event Team.

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