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For Immediate Use
GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT GEARS UP FOR ANNUAL WALTER PAYTON CELEBRITY SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC
TUNICA, Miss. - July 27, 2011 — Gold Strike Casino Resort will host the twelfth annual Walter Payton Celebrity Scholarship Golf Classic August 19-21 at Tunica National. Since 2000, the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation has raised more than $1,000,000 and 30 students have received four-year scholarships to colleges of their choice. The public is invited to attend as more than 40 football greats including Louis Lipps, Stanley Morgan, Marcus Dupree and Walter Payton's long-time friend and college classmate Ricky Young tee off to support students headed to college.
Walter's brother, Eddie Payton, will serve as tournament director. "Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of young people who would not be able to fulfill their dream of a college education without financial support," said Eddie Payton. "When Walter died in 1999 of liver disease at the young age of 45, the Payton Family established a foundation to ensure that Walter's efforts to help others would continue. All proceeds go to students in need. We are dedicated to helping deserving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a college education," added Payton.
Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Mississippi is a sponsor of the Walter Payton Celebrity Scholarship Golf Classic and is the host hotel for the event. "Gold Strike has a long-standing commitment to the community and we are grateful to the Payton family for allowing us to be a part of this tradition. We commend the students who'll use scholarship money raised this weekend to improve their education and look forward to taking this weekend to new heights," said Gold Strike General Manager George Goldhoff.
Sponsorships are available. Please contact Eddie Payton at (601) 955-8790 or egolf1987@aol.com for information on sponsorship opportunities. Room rates during this special event begin at $59 per night. Visit GoldStrikeMississippi.com or call (888) 245-7529 for reservations.
ABOUT THE WALTER & CONNIE PAYTON FOUNDATION
The Walter & Connie Payton Foundation is dedicated to the emotional healing of neglected, abused and underprivileged children by providing tools and opportunities to build self-esteem and encourage a better family unit giving hope for a brighter future. Visit www.Payton34.com for more information on upcoming projects and how to donate to the Walter & Connie Payton Foundation.
ABOUT GOLD STRIKE
Located 20 minutes south of Memphis in Tunica, Mississippi, the 1,200-room Gold Strike Casino Resort recently completed the largest renovation and remodeling project in its history. The multimillion-dollar transformation included all of Gold Strike's deluxe rooms and suites, hotel lobby, 50,000-square-foot gaming area, 30,000-square-foot convention center, Atrium Café and Courtyard Buffet. The resort also features top-notch nightlife, a refreshing spa and salon, the award-winning Chicago Steakhouse and the 800-seat state-of-the-art Millennium Theatre. Gold Strike is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International™ (NYSE: MGM), one of the world's leading global hospitality companies. For more information and reservations, call (888) 245-7529 or visit www.goldstrike.com.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Eddie Payton, Tournament Director, Walter Payton Celebrity Scholarship Golf Classic, 601-955-8790; egolf1987@aol.com
Mary Cracchiolo Spain, Gold Strike Casino Resort, 228-386-7134, mcracchiolo@beaurivage.com
