The cheering is over at Fallen Oak. Coast golf fans are watching this week to see which PGA golfers will plunk their ball into the water at No. 17 at the TPC. And Champions Tour golfers are preparing for their next event — the Regions Charity Classic in Birmingham in a week.

And it is a time of assessment and review for officials of the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic, which was won by David Eger on Sunday.

“We exceeded expectations,’’ MGRC Tournament Director Steve Neiman said. “I’m still amazed at the spirit of the people here. People are still telling me how much fun they had. We created an event where they wanted to be here.’’

Nieman

The original goal was to get 60,000 to 65,000 people out to the tournament — two days for the pro-am and three for the championship event. Weather played a role in preventing that goal from being reached, according to Neiman. Sunday’s split rounds were played under the threat of rain, which hit a half hour after Eger finished on No. 18.

“We had approximately 50,000 for the week,’’ Neiman said. “Our two best weather days were Wednesday and Thursday during the pro-ams. The weather was OK Friday and Saturday but were lucky to get the round in on Sunday. Yet people still came out on Sunday.’’

There are several things that can be improved upon, according to Neiman.

“We may have a little different sales strategy next year,’’ he said. “We need to get more inventory out there. We sold out of everything we had.

“We’re thinking about adding a third pro-am, at a different locale.

“We may double-deck our sky boxes. We would like to provide more area for our corporate sponsors on No. 18 and No. 9.

“With our sponsors, we will be able to talk to the people before their budgets are due. We had our press conference on Nov. 2 (2009) and then had to go out and raise the money locally.’’

Tournament chairman Anthony Topazi said on Sunday that he thought the tournament would increase its number of sponsors after the success in 2010.

Neiman also said that the 17 1/2 hours of coverage got out the message nationally that South Mississippi has bounced back after Katrina. Additionally, surveys at the tournament indicated that golf fans came not only from Mississippi, but from the Panhandle of Florida, Alabama and Louisiana.

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2010/05/06/2161862/neiman-says-gulf-resort-classic.html#ixzz0nF8Ll8P6

The 2009 Bernard Blackwell All Star Classic was contested on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the first time since it’s inception over 60 years ago. On December 19th the South squad, led by Dillian Farve, opened a big enough lead during the first three quarters to hold off a late rally by the North squad. With the North team driving toward a touchdown that would have given the North team a chance to tie or win the game quarterback, ???, threw an interception at the 10 yard line of the South with 1:10 left on the clock.

The play was indicative of how the game was played by 88 of the top All Star athletes from the State of Mississippi.  For the game Dillian Farve, nephew of Brett Farve, showed that he belonged in the elite field of players and ended the game with 242 passing yards and the MVP for the South squad. ?? was named the North squad MVP of the game totaling over ??? yards during the game.

Dillian Farve who up until the All Star game had only recived offers for scholarship from USM and Northeast Louisiana got a call soon after the game to suit up with the Bulldogs of Mississippi State and show his talents in the talent rich South Eastern Conference.

Dillion Farve

The event was brought to the Coast in partnership with the Mississippi Association of Coaches(MAC) and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission. Johnny Mims, Executive Director of the MAC, stated that the event reached a new level for the players and the plan is to host the event on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the next two years. “When our Vice President of the MAC, Howard McNeill, brought up the idea of bringing this event from Jackson to the Coast we looked to see if it was a fit for what we looked to accomplish long term with the game.” “Howard said that the Mississippi Gulf Coast had started a Sports Commission and their organization might have the desire to get involved with the game.”

“The Sports Commission helped to bring the event to the Coast and brought an aspect to the game that had not been seen in the past. The game was televised statewide in 7 major markets on ABC or NBC affiliates across the state and in Memphis, TN.  Executive Director for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission Scott Ratcliff looked at bring exposure to the game, the players and the Gulf Coast by providing the television coverage. “We want to highlight the players that are looking to go to the next level and provide every opportunity for them to be recognized by the decision makers that can make that happen.” “Even thought their were plenty of scouts in town for the game we feel Dillion’s performance against a quality field of players and doing it on TV provided that platform to showcase his talents that ultimately got him to the next level.”

Joe Milner Stadium, Lindy Calahan Field in Gulfport, MS was the backdrop for this year’s event with Howard McNeill, Athletic Director for Gulfport High School being the host for the event.  With the help of numerous people dedicated to high school sports from the Gulfport, MS area, Howard McNeill, the Mississippi Association of Coaches and the Sports Commission brought a passion for providing the event the stature that is indicative of the person the game has been named after.  Benard Blackwell was the Executive Director of the MAC for 20+ years and carried these games very high on what he wanted to accomplish for the players from the State of Mississippi.

The 2010 game will be move to Ocean Springs, MS at the Greyhound Stadium, home to the Ocean Springs High School Greyhounds.  In 2011 Biloxi will play host to the game at Biloxi Indian Stadium home of the Biloxi Indians. It is planned to look at long range opportunities to continue this game on the Gulf  Coast for many years to come.

“We are already planning for 2010 and well beyond to have this event be a part of our yearly schedule of events,” Ratcliff said. ”If we see the commitment level continue and grow this event will get better and better as time goes on,” Johnny Mims went on to say.

Tournament opens on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at the Biloxi Indian Stadium beginning at 2 PM each day.

Seven countries have confirmed participation in the 2009 tournament and competing countries include Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Republic of South Korea, and the United States. Originally, eight teams confirmed to play in the competition but Bulgaria has withdrawn from the tournament. The United States, as the hosting country, will play the opening game against defending champion, Germany, on Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 PM. A blind draw established play and teams will compete as follows:

On Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 the tournament will feature many family activities including children’s games and drawings for prizes that will take place throughout the day. Children, from 8 – 18 years of age, are encouraged to register each day of the tournament for their chance to receive a kick where they could win a $10,000 scholarship. Adults, 18 years and older, are encouraged to register each day too for a chance to receive a kick where they could win a Pontiac G8. Drawing for both kicks will take place during the Gold Medal Match on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00 PM. Registered participants must be present to win. A Junior Clinic for children up to 18 years will take place at Academy Sports on Friday, June 12 from 10:00 AM to noon. Players from all participating countries will attend to assist children with soccer fundamentals and will be available for autographs too. All games and activities are free and open to the public.

The International Military Sports Council, known by its acronym “CISM”, is an international sports association composed of the armed forces of member nations accepted by the General Assembly. CISM is open to the armed forces of all nations. The aims of CISM are to develop friendly relations between the Armed Forces of member nations, promote physical education and sports activities, provide mutual technical assistance, support less privileged members in the name of friendship and solidarity, contribute towards the balanced and harmonious development of military personnel, and contribute to the international effort for universal peace.

This ideal is encapsulated in the CISM motto:

“FRIENDSHIP THROUGH SPORT”.

For more information on CISM, please visit their website: http://www.cism-milsport.org/eng/welcome.html

Event Sponsors include Keesler Air Force Base, Keesler Federal Credit Union, USO, Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission, and Keesler Services.

For more information concerning details of the event, please call Mr. Mooers, 228-377-0123, or e-mail brian.mooers@keesler.af.mil, and you can check the Keesler website at www.keesler.af.mil. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission can also provide information pertaining to the CISM Tournament at 228-276-1713.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission and the Coast Tennis Associations announced that the Gulf Coast will play host to the States largest tennis tournament.

The Coastal Tennis Associations (CTA) of the Mississippi Gulf Coast have partnered with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission (www.msgcsc.org) to secure the 2010 USTA Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship June 10-13, 2010.

“This is the first time this event has left Jackson, MS and it is the first chance for the Gulf Coast to highlight our commitment to major events such as the Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship,” stated Scott Ratcliff, Executive Director of the Sports Commission.

1,200 or more players are scheduled to participate in this three day event with an estimated 1.5 million dollar economic impact to the region. The USTA Mississippi Adult Tennis Championship was first approached by Lance St. Amant, Chairman of this year’s Championship, along with Jackson County CTA as well as Harrison County & Hancock County CTA. “It started as just an idea but the CTA’s of the Gulf Coast pulled together and decided that we would bid on this event,” Championship Chairman, Lance St. Amant said. “This is the biggest tennis tournament in the State of Mississippi and has become quite an undertaking to bring all of the components together but believe me it has been a concerted effort by the people of the Gulf Coast to make it happen.”

A multitude of tennis facilities across the Gulf Coast will be utilized for the event with Bayou Bluff in Gulfport, the Biloxi SportsPlex, Treasure Oaks in Ocean Springs and Singing River Yacht Club in Pascagoula serving as Host sites for the Championships.

With this event as an Officially Endorsed event of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission, marketing and sponsorship packages were produced to effectively bring this event to the public and private sector to make it a success. Over $25,000 has been raised to insure the quality of the event to the players but also to the sponsors of the event through advertising and marketing. The committee has set a goal of $40,000 for the event to reach its fullest potential. Call Lance St. Amant for sponsorship information at (228)218-9503.

Louis Peters, President of the Mississippi Tennis Association and long time resident of Ocean Springs assisted the tournament committee to bid on this event for the Coast. “I believed that we had everything that the USTA required for the Coast to host the event but it was the collective efforts of the facilities, the CTA’s and the Sports Commission that ultimately secured this event for 2010 & 2011,” Peters said. He went on to say, “With the passion we have seen from the people involved it will be hard for Jackson, MS to get it back.”

Lance St. Amant agreed with Peters, “If we can hold this event to level we have envisioned I can see this event as a yearly event and the Mississippi Gulf Coast as the home of this prestigious event for a long time. The goal is to put our self in position to bid on a Regional event that Mobile, Al hosted which had an $8 million dollar economic impact to their area just this year.

“Once again the Sports Commission looked at this event as a catalyst to bigger and better events for our area. Now with the right plan in place the Mississippi Gulf Coast tennis community has certainly put the Coast on the map as a viable tennis venue,” stated Ratcliff.

For more details, and to learn how to enter, contact the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission at 228-276-1713 or online at www.ustamississippi.org to get more information on the event.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast will be

SMOKIN’

May 14-23, 2010 the Mississippi Gulf Coast residents and visitors will have the opportunity to experience the sheer power of two major racing events as a part of a two-weekend combination of Smokin’ the Sound and Smokin’ the Lake.

Smokin’ the Sound and Smokin’ the Lake will run consecutively with Smokin’ the Lake taking off first May 14-16 and Smokin’ the Sound the following weekend May 20-23. Both events will carry high powered and high-speed boats. Smokin’ the Sound will have the Offshore Super Series (OSS) powerboats clocking speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour in the Mississippi Sound and Smokin’ the Sound will carry drag-boats running with speeds topping 100 miles per hour in Gulfport Lake.

Promoters of the events are Woody Bailey, Rusty David and Asher Travis who have successfully brought powerboat racing to the Gulf Coast and look to have another successful event this year. “We started working with the Offshore Super Series in 2004 and have seen the event grow each year,” said Woody Bailey, Executive Director of the event. ”We did not hold an event in 2006 after Katrina but we brought it back in 2007 and look at this as another great year for this event.”

Offshore Super Series events have entertained audiences from Sunny Isles, FL to the Ozarks in Missouri with Smokin’ the Sound kicking off the 2009 schedule. Other events will have their work cut out for them following the Mississippi Gulf Coast event. Rusty David says, “We have been working to perfect our approach to how we can make this event the best on the schedule. We look to continually raise the bar with this event to keep our stature as one of the leading events on the circuit.”

With premium spectator viewing areas at the Isle Casino, Hard Rock Casino and the Beau Rivage Casino the public can watch the racing while enjoying the hospitality at each of these sponsor hotels and casinos. Duncan McKenzie, General Manager of the Hard Rock Casino said, “We look forward to another great event for the Gulf Coast. As this event has evolved we have seen more excitement from the local viewers and from our hotel guest. That is why we are involved with it as a major sponsor.”

This is the second year for Smokin’ the Lake with the competition on Gulfport Lake. The Dock Bar & Grill will be the host site with a racing village for the competitors and vendors. Fans will be able to view the boats and talk with boat owners to ask questions and get autographs. “John Dane III, owner of the Dock is looking forward to bringing this first year event to the Coast. “In building the Dock we have made a considerable investment for the Coast and this event gives us the opportunity highlight what we have been able to bring to the Coast post Katrina. Our facilities here is one of the best in the country and having Smokin’ the Lake is another way for us to get involved with the community to bring business to the Coast.

With Smokin the Lake being added to the event schedule Woody Bailey hopes to see an added bonus in the amount of economic impact for the Coast. “If Smokin’ the Sound is any indication of what we can do for the area, with Smokin’ the Lake, the Gulf Coast should see a considerable economic impact in room nights, food and entertainment and with the fuel consumed by these competitors. Smokin’ the Sound is important to the area due to the fact that it highlights natural resources such as the Gulf of Mexico and Gulfport Lake where each of these events will be staged. Given the past record of Woody Bailey Jr. with Crusin’ the Coast everyone should see a well run event that will present the Gulf Coast as a top racing area.

More information about Smokin’ the Sound and Smokin’ the Lake go to www.smokinthesound.com

Friday, May 14

• Race teams arrive.
• 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Race Village at The Dock Open. (Race Boats on display)
• 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Meet the Racers at The Dock Bar & Grill.

Saturday, May 15

• 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Race Village at The Dock Open.
• 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Smokin’ The Lake races. All 7 classes of boats.

★Performance Bass & Ski – Entry-level racing for Lake Boats and Bass Boats.

★Pro Stock -Race Hulls utilizing stock production Mercury 2.5 Laser/XRI EFI 200 motors.

★Super Stock – Race Hulls utilizing carbureted motors only.

★Lake Racer -Lake Boats and Bass Boats with modified & hi-performance motors.

★1400 Modified Production – Race hulls with modified motors utilizing OEM parts.

★Pro Gas -Race hulls using modified motors with aftermarket parts.

★Outlaws – Any hull 16-foot minimum boat length. 1/8 mile course (660 feet).

• 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Meet the Racers at The Dock Bar & Grill.

Sunday, May 16

• 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Race Village at The Dock Open.
• 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Smokin’ The Lake races. All 7 classes of boats.

Schedule for Smokin’ the Sound

Tuesday, May 18 & Wednesday May19

·         Race teams arrive

Thursday, May 20 Race Village Opens.

·         7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Sponsor-VIP Race Team Party. Meet the Race Teams at the Coast Nightclub inside Beau Rivage Casino & Resort.

Friday, March 27 

·         10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Race Village Open.

·         7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Meet the Race Teams at the Hard Rock Casino Center Bar.

Saturday, May 22 – Pro-Am Racing and Qualifying

·         10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Race Village Open.

• 10 a.m., All premium and VIP viewing areas open.
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Qualifying Run on Official Race Course.
  • 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Pro-Am Racing – All 4 classes of Pro-Am, plus OSS VEE classes.
  • 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., Continue qualifying and testing by all OSS classes.
  • Watch the race teams develop their winning strategies for Sunday’s race.
  • 7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Meet the Race Teams at the IP Casino.
  

  Sunday, May 23 – Race Day

  ·         10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Race Village Open.

  •  10 a.m., All premium and VIP viewing area gates open.
    • 12 noon – 5 p.m., Smokin’ The Sound races. 6 classes of boats. (OSS CAT Extreme, OSS CAT, OSS VEE, OSS VEE Lite, OSS VEE Extreme, OSS CAT Outboards, OSS Cat Lite, OSS Turbine Extreme and OSS Supercharged CAT)
    • 7 p.m., Awards ceremony at the Isle Casino including recognition of 5th Annual Randy Linebach Lighthouse Team Sportsmanship Award.
    
  • All events and times are subject to change.

                              You can find updates at www.smokinthesound.com.

Brian Moorer, project Director for the 2009 CISM Women’sWorld Championship Soccer event that Keesler AFB hosted in 2009 has put them in the position to be considered for future event. Keesler AFB will not only be in the running for these future events but has risen to the top of the ranks for any host site of these military sporting events.

Moorer stated, “The Sports Sectretariat of the Armed Forces notified Keesler that the CISM World Championships were run at a level they had not seen up until our event and that they have put Keesler AFB and the Mississippi Gulf Coast on the short list for future events.” 

Brig. General Ian Dickinson, Commander of Keesler AFB agreed with this distinction, “The Mississiippi Gulf Coast really embraced the event and put Keesler AFB in the position to play host to other CISM World Championship events which we may decide to bid on.” He went on to say that, “the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission was an intricate part of assisting our efforts and we look forward to working with them on future events.”

CISM stands for Championship of International Sports du Militare or Military International Sports Championships. 14 different Military World Championship exist and by the accolades Keesler AFB has received it looks like we could see more of these International events coming to the Coast in the future.

“As a first time event for the Gulf Coast and the first time for CISM to bring one of thier Championships to the Gulf Coast we have made quite the impression on the Tournament Committee. They saw how we pulled together all of the components and the people such as the Special Events group from Keesler, the Project Manager and the community who work in unison to make this event such a great success,” Brig. General Dickinson stated.

Moorer says the event has set the presidence in providing the platform for the world to experience our culture, our flair for sporting event and playing host to some of the best athletes that have affiliation with the Armed Forces. “I would gladly be a part of the winning bid, given the same team of people who worked on this event, for any future CISM World Championship the Gulf Coast would like to host.” 

With only three weeks to put together the event Meyers and Tournament Director, Rick Rechtien hosted fifteen two man teams at the volleyball facility at the Dock Saturday, July 12th. The event went off with out a hitch and made the player feel a part of something special for the future of volleyball here on the Coast.

With such a short time frame the Sports Commission stepped forward to provide additional funding to help the juniors pay their USAV membership fees to give the tournament organizers support for their efforts. Meyers stated, “Given the time frame we felt it in the best interest of the event to have the membership fees waived due to it was the final event of the USAV series and the players would not have had the opportunity to play in another event after this one.” “This way these juniors were able to experience playing under the USAV rules which are the same as the official Olympic rules.”

John Dane III, Chairman of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission said that, ” this continues our mission statement of providing quality events and improving the quality of life for people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.” “To have the opportunity to be a part of an event for the juniors so that they can experience a great tournament format, we are proud to have this chance to make it happen.”  ”Our thanks goes out to Mike and Rick for making this go so well given the time frame in which they had to work with.”

The July 12th event had better attendance than the three previous USAV tournaments along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida which may have give some indication of the level of excitement for volleyball here in this region.

Meyers also said, “We are looking to continued growth of this sport here as we move forward. Having the turnout and the great time by all of the participants we see this as the first of many volleyball events for the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Rick Rechtien stated that league play at the Dock will be starting up in the near future and a grand opening of the 14 courts built here is scheduled sometime around Labor Day. “We are looking to get the same excitement as the facility in New Orleans has from it’s residents to come out and have  good time, have some fun and enjoy the competition.”

When the league play will begin is still not determined for the two, four and six person leagues including women, men and co-ed but all will begin at the same time. “We are thinking about a cash tournament during the Labor Day time frame which may be the perfect time to launch these leagues and continue in to the fall,” Rechtien stated.

For information regarding play or league nights contact Rick Rechtien at (228)276-1714.

The Gulf Coast Region of USA Volleyball Tournament was sponsored by the Sports Commission and the Dock Restaurant in July 12 in Gulfport. It was one of four pleminary tournaments leading up to the 2008 Grand Championships held July 26 in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Sports Commission Executive Director Scott Ratcliff said the Dock Restaurant has made a major investment to build a professional beach volleyball facility, on Seaway Road in Gulfport, to support the effort.

The board of directors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Sports Commission is led by John Dane III, chairman and CEO of Trinity Yachts, as chairman. Dave Dennis, CEO of Specialty Contractors in Gulfport, serves as vice chairman. Secretary/treasurer is Keith Voigts of Pass Christian.

Other board members: Ashley Edwards, governor’s office; state Sen Tommy Gollot; Craig Ray, director of Mississippi Deptartment of Tourism; Myrtis Franke, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochrans office; Scott Walker, U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker’s office; Dr. Willis Lott, president of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; John McKay, president, Jackson County Board of Supervisors; Kim Savant, Harrison County Board of Supervisors; Steve Seymour, Hancock County Board of Supervisors; Jon Lucas, president & GM of IP Casino; Joe Bilhimer, casino executive; Bill Holmes, executive director Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum; Chevis Swetman, president Peoples Bank; Todd Trenchard, vice presidentof public affairs, M&M Bank; Larry Barnett, Harrison County Ecenomic Development Commission; Jack Zinc, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission; Ben Stone, attorney, Balch & Bingham LLC; Richard Myers, director, Parisi Speed School; A.M. Gillich Jr., Gulf South Analytical Sevices, Biloxi; and David McAfee, e-Fitness & Wellness Center, Biloxi.

Based on the success of the USA Volleyball 2008 Grand Championship Series in July, Ratcliff said the Commission is in discussions to host a open qualifier for the AVP Atlanta Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament in 2009 or 2010 and possibly schedule the Mississippi Gulf Cost as a regular event on the Pro Beach Volleyball Tour.