There is
also a poolside welcome reception on Friday, June 29, with tournament play
taking place on June 30 and July 1 at 9 a.m. First place is $35,000 with second
paying $10,000, third pays $7,000, fourth pays $4,500, and then $2,000 for the
next finisher, $1,000 for sixth place, $500 for seventh and semi-finalists
after that get a $500 promo chip. The prize money is based on 100 entries.
Check it out and call (800) 766-5825 9 (ext. 8291) to enter. See you there. If
you like slot tournaments, get in line for SAM’S
TOWN FIRECRACKER…a $50,000 tournament July 6-7. The buy-in is only $200.
Speaking of
big tournaments, the WILD BILL blackjack
tournament held recently at GRAND CASINO
attracted a large turnout because the $150,000 total prize. A share of the big
prize money eluded me, as usual, after I lost a four-hand playoff, to a lady of
all people, when my big bet, double down move didn’t hold up. But, I enjoy blackjack tournaments where the
best players show up to make the competition intense. It was enjoyable in a big
way.
DOM MEZZETTA is well known in Mississippi gaming circles for his
successful stints as general manager at HOLLYWOOD
CASINO and later at FITZGERALDS,
both in Tunica. His career also covered top positions at El Capitan in Reno,
the Stardust in Las Vegas and Cactus Pete’s and Horseshoe in Jackpot, Nev. In
2005 he turned all that experience and
knowledge into a consultancy and soon after was retained by Mississippi gaming
pioneer RICK SCHILLING (founded
Splash in 1992 in Mhoon Landing, the state’s first legal casino) to be the
chief operating officer and general manager for the new HARLOW’S CASINO RESORT, scheduled to open on the Mississippi River
between the two bridges just west of Greenville on Highway 82 sometime later in
October. There will be a lot of casino, restaurant and hotel jobs opening
there, over 400, but you can’t apply until July 9. On that date, you can call
(662) 335-9797, ext. 620.
While Mr. Mezzetta puts his life experience to work again,
we have to say goodbye to an old pro, a guy who really knows his way around a
casino since he once owned one in Vegas and later came south to “sort of
retire.” He retired into a part-time pit position at SAM’S TOWN where his 50 years of experience at such places as
Caesar’s Palace, The Tropicana, the Stardust, and other joints earned him the
respect of his colleagues. A consummate professional and teacher, he knew all
the tricks, FRANK ROMAIN also become
involved in the community and will retire with his wife to their home in
Tunica. Frankie “The Deuce” doesn’t play golf, bocce ball, or fish but he is a
very skilled blackjack table player and also knows his way well around
restaurant tables. He is also a great story teller if you can get him to talk
about his days in Vegas when others, not corporations, ran the joints. A true
casino character, you will be missed, Deuce. They don’t make ‘em like you
anymore.
HOLLYWOOD has run out of those neat little
Mini Coopers to give away but they have another nice giveaway for the rest of
this month. If you get caught using your Player Card on slots you could win a
15-inch plasma TV every 15 minutes from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays in June. Fill
out a free entry form and you get a shot at 42-inch plasma at 6 pm. More on
slots, just earn 50 points in one day and you are eligible to play in one of
the $5,000 Saturday matinee slot tournaments in July. On Friday the 13th, in
July, you can take part in a drawing for $13,000. Earn entries every day on
slots, and tables, and swipe your card daily between July 1 and the 13th for
one free entry. There will be 130 winners. Drawing times start at 7:13 p.m. on
the 13th.
The NGA/HOOTERS Pro
Golf Tournament takes place for the third year at PEARL RIVER RESORT’S fabled DANCING
RABBIT GOLF CLUB near Philadelphia,
Miss. It will be held August 6-12, but happily the media day is sooner and no
way I am missing out on this trip and a chance to play one of the top courses
in the country, the AZALEAS. July
marks the tenth anniversary of the club, but I hope I get a Hooters Girl for my
caddy. Not only is there the golf outing but also a chance to fish in a media
rodeo on LAKE PUSHMATAHA. But if you are not a
member of the media, you might want to check out the 58th CHOCTAW INDIAN FAIR on July 12 and 13.You can see the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF STICKBALL and
other great entertainment. Lots to do, not to mention a visit to the GEYSER FALLS WATERPARK.
For more info go to www.CHOCTAWINDIANFAIR.COM.
And the SIZZLIN SUMMER drawings
continue at Pearl River Resort on July 22-24 with too many items to list here
but check out their full page ad in this issue for the details. And then clip
the coupon on that page for 10 free drawing tickets.
Turn back the clock and see PERCY SLEDGE live in concert at SOUTHLAND GAMING AND RACING on
Saturday June 30. If you have a Players Reward Card, the ticket is only 15
bucks.
Speaking of golf, the July issue of GOLF DIGEST has put its seal of approval on two Tunica courses. COTTONWOODS at GRAND CASINO, made the magazine’s ranking as one of the Top
40 Casino Courses in the U.S. and just down the road, TUNICA NATIONAL was selected as one of
the Best
Courses Near (but not owned) Casinos. I play on both layouts and to see
Tunica National achieve this recognition in just three years in business is
amazing and a tribute to TUNICA COUNTY
and GM BOB WOLCOTT and his crew.
Over at Cottonwoods, the ranking validates the job PGA PROFESSIONAL and DIRECTOR, MATT MCNEIL
and his talented staff have done in improving the course and operation. Get a
tee time, if you can, by calling Cottonwoods at (662) 357-6078, or Tunica
National at (662) 357-0777.In a related note, the 2007 NATIONAL SUMMER NTRP CHAMPIONSHIPS will be held at Tunica National
Golf & Tennis Center July 6-8. Interested in playing, singles or doubles,
call my pal, DONNY FLOWERS, at (662)
357-0777, ext. 1510. GOLF DIGEST was
also very high on DANCING RABBIT GOLF
CLUB’S two courses naming the AZALEAS course number 11 and the OAKS
number 18 in its Top 40 Casino Golf Courses list. As Pearl River
Resort VP of Operations, DONNA BROLICK, put
it…”it’s a testament to the dedication of our associates.”
Nice to see JANE
MALTON back on the River. Jane returns to the TUNICA QUEEN operation as its new sales manager, a job she
formerly held in 2003-06. Jane will take up working with corporations, school
groups, wedding parties and other groups for special occasions on a classic
19th century riverboat that has all the comforts and safety of a 21st century
vessel. Great to have you back, Jane. For a booking call (866) 805-3535.
Another local appointment has STEVE DAHLE being promoted to regional VP of direct marketing for HARRAH’S ENTERTAINMENT. If you get all
the mailer offers I receive, it seems almost daily, from Grand, Horseshoe and
sometimes Sheraton, you will appreciate what a tough job he has. Keep ‘em
coming, Steve.
Harrah’s has also announced that its H.E.R.O. employee volunteers will stand out in the Mid-South heat
for 10 hours on Saturday, June 30 at all DeSoto County WAL-MART stores to raise awareness and donations to purchase fans
for area seniors in conjunction with IN
FAMILY SERVICES CENTER, serving communities in North Mississippi.
If everything connects right, we hope to have famous author JACKIE COLLINS on the
GOODTIMES RADIO SHOW one of these Saturday mornings in an exclusive
interview with co-host DANNY Z. Jackie
will be in town for a book signing and reading for her latest sizzler, DROP
DEAD BEAUTIFUL, on June 30 at 11 a.m. at HORSESHOE’S BLUESVILLE. It’s free.
LAISSEZ LE BON TEMPS ROULER! Let the Good Times roll…
