Page 8 - Mississippi/Louisiana Gaming News - Winter, 2023

Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association Casino Cup
MGHA inaugural Casino Cup tees
off for charity By David Grisham
TUNICA —— The 2023 Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association Casino Cup took place in October at the Tunica National Golf & Tennis Center. Fifteen teams competed for the inaugural golf award. And, when all was said and done, Island View Casino Resort took home the first-place trophy and bragging rights for the year by shooting a 14-under round of 58, despite windy conditions.
Trophies were awarded to individuals of the top three teams, and novelty trophies for last place were awarded just for fun.
Finishing second to Casino Cup-winner Island View was a team from the Mississippi Gaming Commission. Third place went to Coca-Cola. Individual players were recognized as well for men’s and senior’s long drive in the fairway
on the 18th hole, for the women’s long drive on the fairway on the ninth hole, and for being closest to the pin on all Par 3 holes.
Additionally, donations were collected at the 11th hole to help fund area food banks through the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. Larry Gregory, director of the Mississippi Gaming & Hospitality Association, presented a $3,000 check for the food banks during the awards ceremony to Keith Fulcher, president of the Community Foundation. Fulcher thanked the group for their support and said the funds would go toward the purchase of food for the Odessa Grant Food Pantry in Tunica and Sacred Heart Southern Missions’ five food pantries in northwest Mississippi.
Michael Sunderman, publisher and
M2 Media Corp. president, expressed his appreciation to all involved. “Thank you to the sponsors and teams who traveled to Tunica National Golf & Tennis to compete. The Casino Cup was a huge success. We’re look forward to next year!”
The event began with a welcome reception the night before, followed the next morning by breakfast at Tunica National, the golf tournament, lunch and an awards ceremony.
Sponsors included the Gold Strike Casino Resort, Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa, Riverwalk Casino, Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort and the Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau.
MGHA held its inaugural Casino Cup golf tournament in Tunica. The Island View Casino Resort team (in action, below right) came in first place, followed by a team from the Mississippi Gaming Commission (right) and a team from Coca-Cola (above). More than a dozen teams participated.
8MISSISSIPPI GAMING NEWS WINTER 2023