Press Room - Press Releases
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Use
GOLD STRIKE CASINO RESORT PARTNERS WITH
THE PAYTON FAMILY FOUNDATION FOR 13TH
ANNUAL WALTER PAYTON CELEBRITY SCHOLARSHIP GOLF CLASSIC
TUNICA, Miss (August 2012) - Golfers and community supporters are invited to the thirteenth Annual Walter Payton Celebrity Scholarship Golf Classic August 17 -19, 2012 hosted by Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Mississippi. The tournament will be held at Tunica National Golf Course. The public can stand alongside and watch dozens of celebrity athletes tee off to support students headed to college.
Walter Payton's long-time friend and college classmate Rickey Young is one of the many athletes scheduled to play. NFL standouts Stanley Morgan and Louis Lipps will be on hand as well as Olympians Bill Hurd and Ralph Boston along with Major League baseball players Ty Smith and Jesse Tipton.
Tournament Director Eddie Payton takes a personal interest in the Walter Payton Celebrity Scholarship Golf Classic. As Walter's brother, he is determined to ensure Walter's legacy lives through educational opportunities. "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."
The first Walter Payton Celebrity Scholarship Golf Classic was held in August 2000. Since then more than $1,000,000 has been raised and more than 30 students have received four-year scholarships to attend the college of their choice. "All proceeds go to students in need," said Director Payton. "We are dedicated to helping deserving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue a college education. We hope you will join us in our efforts, play a round of golf, and even try your luck at the casino. It really is for a great cause that will continue to keep Walter's dream alive."
Join the field of celebrity players Saturday, August 18 at Tunica National Golf Course for the Skins & Corporate Challenge at 7:30 a.m. There will be a two man shot format with one celebrity and one player and a three man mini scramble with one celebrity and two players. The Walter Payton Celebrity Scholarship Golf Classic is free and open to the public and begins at 7:45 a.m. Sunday, August 19.
Corporate 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 $69 per night. Visit GoldStrikeMississippi.com or call (888) 245-7529 for reservations.
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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
