Heard it on the river: September event calendar filled with golf, blackjack and slots

Golfers in the state -- and there are thousands -- can take in a really top flight event by visiting PEARL RIVER RIVER RESORT Sept. 22-28 when the only pro event of the year in Mississippi will be held at the DANCING RABBIT GOLF CLUB. The HOOTERS TOUR event is making its fourth straight appearance here and will draw 168 players who are seeking their PGA players card. There will be $200,000 in prize money, a portion of which will be donated to the Mississippi Band of Choctaws Boys and Girls Club. Dancing Rabbit is actually composed of two beautiful golf courses, the Oaks, and the Azaleas, where the tournament will be played. The Azaleas was just ranked number 32 on Golf Magazine's top 100 1ist for USA courses. The course has been made a lot tougher for the event with new water features, a higher rough and narrowed fairways. The event is free to the public and more information can be accessed at www.pearlriverresort.com.

When times are tough, the tough raise the ante. HORSESHOE believes there is still plenty of expendable cash out there in spite of the economic woes that have cast gloom over just about everything. Never one to pass up a challenge, the 'Shoe is holding a $250,000 blackjack tournament Sept. 11-14 with a buy-in of $1,000 that will test the economic waters. Are there 250 tournament players out there willing to put up a grand? When first prize is $100,000 ,we think so. That kind of money weakens the resolve to avoid gambling these days. It's a hook that players can't resist. So get up your courage and bankroll, and register early by calling 1-800-371-7568 or visit the host desk.

A few days later Horseshoe is staging its "Legendary $200,000 Slot Tournament" with an even steeper buy-in of $2,000 for a shot at first place prize money of $100,000. The buy-in is high but the odds are low as only 100 players can register for this one. And, you are guaranteed to win at least $500. Like the Horseshoe slogan says..."We Know What Gamblers Want." They sure do.www. Horseshoecasinotunica.com.

HARRAH'S poker room will host the MID-SOUTH POKER OPEN on Sept.4-14 where poker players will be competing for a coveted seat in the February 2009 WORLD SERIES of POKER CIRCUIT main event at Harrah's Tunica. The ten days of action have buy-ins ranging from $100-$2,500 making it affordable for all. If you lose, the HOOTERS GIRLS, will be there to cheer you up. Call the Poker Room for more info at 1-800-946-4946.

FIRE UP YOUR FANNY...You've got to like the punch lines in the outdoor and direct mail advertising coming forth for SOUTHLAND RACING & GAMING these days. The clever copy comes from the creative minds of CARPENTER, SULLIVAN, the Memphis-based ad agency. The particular promo that fires up your rear is to pick your hot seat every Saturday in September from 11 a.m.- midnight where a lucky player will be chosen every 15 minutes from any machine on the floor to win some free play bucks. There is a $20,000 pot to be shared.

WARREN STRAIN, formerly with the Mississippi Gaming Commission, has joined PEARL RIVER RESORT as Chief-of-Staff for the Resort's President, General Harvey. msilverassociates has been named as public relations consulting firm as well for the Resort. I've been a somewhat skeptical of CASINO PLAYER MAGAZINE'S Best of Gaming choice awards because of their limited circulation in the southeast but when you win 55 awards (where the heck do they get them all?) it sort of sticks out as something must be going right. PEARL RIVER RESORT received an impressive 55 awards including the GOLDEN MOON and SILVER STAR casinos finishing 1-2 in the Best Casino category.

FROM THE QUOTABLE GAMBLER, The Lyons Press:

"The next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing. The main thing is to play."
Nick "The Greek" Dandolos

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