FROM THE NEWSROOM

Magnolia Golf Trail
offers a road map
to the best golf
in Mississippi

TravelGolf.com Staff Report

JACKSON, Miss. (Aug. 18, 2003) -- The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) Division of Tourism has announced the launch of the Magnolia Golf Trail's Affiliate Network. This program increases the benefits afforded members of the Magnolia Golf Trail. WLBT, the NBC television network affiliate in Jackson, is the first Magnolia Golf Trail Affiliate to carry a link to the Magnolia Golf Trail Web site (magnoliagolftrail.com). Agreements are also in place with Clear Channel Radio of Mississippi.

The Magnolia Golf Trail will offer each affiliate a picture-rich Web site providing tremendous golf content and special offers for their audience.

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"We're so sure that players will love the Magnolia Golf Trail once they try it that we're offering incentives for them to play our Trail's outstanding courses," says Scott Kelly, Co-Manager of the Magnolia Golf Trail. The link for the Trail is currently live at wlbt.com on the "Sports" and "Community" pages. It is the first of many the Magnolia Golf Trail Affiliate Network is establishing throughout the nation with the goal of using mainstream media to reach and inform golfers.

Other strategic partners include Hotels.com and Club Colors, which provide the Trail with a preferred Mississippi hotel booking engine and a private-labeled online apparel pro shop. Plans are to also make available Hotels.com's newly launched golf booking engine in 2003-2004. Golfers can now tour all 14 Magnolia Golf Trail courses with the Web site, search for the right place to stay and shop for Magnolia Golf Trail apparel by Tommy Hilfiger and Club Colors with one click.

"Mississippi courses have come together to offer something unique in today's environment of Trail-hunting golfers -- the Magnolia Golf Trail Players Card," Kelly says. "With the Players Card, golfers have access to exclusive rates at each course for one year from the date of purchase of the card. As an added bonus, golfers can now use the MGT Players card to receive not only special rates for golf but also for lodging, thanks to partnerships with select hotels statewide. In essence we have created a do-it-yourself golf package."

The $49.95 membership fee for individuals includes 50 percent off an introductory round at the Magnolia Golf Trail course of their choice, and ongoing preferred MGT discounted green fees ranging between 20 percent and 40 percent. Members will also receive other benefits through use of their Magnolia Golf Trail Partners Card. More benefits are coming as the Trail intends to include area attractions and restaurants.

"We want to give a golfer every option to bring the family and let the Trail take care of the golf," Kelly says.

Plans are to expand the roster of MGT courses in 2003 and 2004, conditional on their passing the selection process.

"We plan to include the best that Mississippi can offer, and assure cardholders there will be variety, playability and affordability," Kelly says.

The courses on the Magnolia Golf Trail are Timberton (Hattiesburg), Beau Pre (Natchez), Big Oaks (Saltillo/Tupelo), The Bridges (Bay St. Louis), Canebrake (Timberton), Mallard Pointe (Sardis), Caroline (Madison), North Creek (Southaven), The Oaks (Pass Christian), Patrick Farms (Brandon), River Bend Links (Tunica), Wedgewood (Olive Branch), Whisper Lake (Madison), Windance (Gulfport).

For more information, visit magnoliagolftrail.com

Any opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the management. The information in this story was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.