Top Golf Pros and Chefs – led by Emeril Lagasse – will Perform and Entertain at Jack Nicklaus-Designed Annandale Golf Club
(JACKSON, Mississippi) – The Mississippi Development Authority will partner to play host to a PGA TOUR event for the second time this year when the Viking Classic is played at Annandale Golf Club in Madison, July 11-17.
This year’s Viking Classic will be played as part of the chase for the FedEx Cup, the PGA TOUR’s championship trophy since 2007. The second annual Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, a Champions TOUR event, was played in March at Fallen Oak in Biloxi.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the PGA TOUR back to Mississippi as part of the FedEx Cup schedule,” said Mississippi Development Authority Director of Tourism Mary Beth Wilkerson. “Mississippi’s golf travel offerings are exceptional. The state provides great value for those seeking an outstanding golf experience coupled with rich history and culture. The Viking Classic is a great opportunity to showcase Mississippi to the golfing world.”
Major championship winners Lee Janzen, Shaun Micheel and Rich Beem will lead another strong field at this year’s Viking Classic. Other players already committed to participating include Kenny Perry, Boo Weekly, Chris DiMarco, Woody Austin, Ricky Barnes, Charles Howell III and local favorite Heath Slocum.
The impressive list of golfers will be joined by a roster of world-class chefs that will host multiple cooking demonstrations throughout tournament week in the Viking Culinary Tent. Headlining the schedule will be Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse, who will lead two demonstrations on Thursday, July 14 (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.) with all net proceeds benefiting Friends of Children’s Hospital.
In addition to the cooking demonstrations, the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am will take place Monday, July 11 and the Trustmark Wealth Management Pro-Am will be held Wednesday, July 13.
The 72-hole, stroke-play, tournament begins Thursday, July 14 with the final round on Sunday, July 17. The total purse for the event is $3.6 million and past winners have included Bill Haas, Will MacKenzie and Chad Campbell.
For a complete schedule of events, to purchase tickets to the Viking Classic or for cooking demonstration tickets, please visit www.vikingclassic.com or call 1.866.898.GOLF (4653).
For information on special stay-and-play package deals to Mississippi visit www.visitmississippi.org/golf.aspx or call toll-free 1-866-801-8551 to receive a free Golf Travel Guide and suggested play-and-stay itineraries.
About Mississippi Golf:
Attractions contributing to Mississippi’s growing popularity as the preferred golf-and-travel destination include:
More than 170 courses offering a variety of price points and designs from world-class architects such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Jerry Pate and Tom Fazio
Year-round golf weather with temperate conditions throughout five distinct regions — The Hills, The Delta, The Capital/River, The Pines, The Coastal
Home to two annual PGA TOUR events: The Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic of the Champions Tour, played at Fallen Oak (March 30-April 3, 2011) and The Viking Classic of the PGA TOUR, played at Annadale Country Club (July 11-17, 2011)
Third-largest gaming destination in North America, featuring exciting gaming, upscale shopping, live entertainment, luxurious spas and internationally acclaimed golf courses
Birthplace of Blues, rock ‘n roll and country music. Mississippi Blues Trail markers are placed at key sites throughout the state to honor blues musicians and give visitors insight into this special musical heritage
World-famous, authentic southern cuisine offering savory barbecue, fresh seafood and French-Cajun delicacies
A busy calendar of more than 400 unique events scheduled throughout the year
A host of non-golf activities including boating, fishing, bird-watching, hiking, biking, hunting, camping and more
For more information visit www.visitmississippi.org or call toll-free 1-866-801-8551.
Contact:
Gary Trask, 978.228.0314
Buffalo Communications
gtrask@billycaspergolf.com
Dan Shepherd, 703.891.3320
Buffalo Communications
dshepherd@billycaspergolf.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
