BILOXI-Mississippi Gulf Coast Golf Association (MGCGA) is announcing a new award to recognize tourism leaders and organizations that show outstanding support for the golfing industry in Harrison, Hancock and Jackson counties. The Mississippi Development Authority/Tourism, Hancock County Tourism Commission and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce will receive awards in MGCGA's inaugural 2003 presentation.

Golf tourism has an estimated $40 million economic impact on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, according to Kevin Drum, MGCGA's executive director. The Golf Tourism Award will be given annually to honor superior effort to increase golf's economic impact in South Mississippi.

"We are very fortunate that Darienne Wilson and the staff of Mississippi's Tourism office, Hancock County Tourism's Beth Carriere, and Terry Carter of the Jackson County Chamber filled a funding vacuum at a time when the Gulf Coast golf community really needed their support," Drum said. "Formal award presentations will be made later this month."

He explained that 2002 was challenging for local golf marketing because a funding source that formerly spent up to $250,000 annually to lure golfers to the Coast ended its golf tourism marketing.

"In their willingness to fill the funding vacuum, our three award winners showed themselves as more than friends of golf," Drum said. "They demonstrated their understanding of the economic impact golf tourism has on area hotels, restaurants, casinos and retailers."

Members of MGCGA's Golf Marketing Committee determined the honorees, based on the following criteria:
* Exceptional dedication to increasing golf tourism in that calendar year or in lifetime achievement. * Taking action to increase golf tourism on the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast, not just his/her property or group. Basically taking on the attitude that "no one wins unless we all win."
*Where the properties' or organizations' support was pivotal for success in the past calendar year or lifetime achievement.

Golf Marketing Committee members are from three hotels-Isle of Capri, Biloxi, Casino Magic Bay Saint Louis and Holiday Inns of Gulfport/Biloxi-and three golf courses, President Broadwater, Biloxi, The Oaks Golf Club in Pass Christian and St. Andrews Golf Club in Jackson County.