Mississippi has worked hard to entice avid golf-and-gaming travelers to visit our great state, because we knew if we got them here once, they would come back. The sales increases demonstrate the rising trend of visitors to Mississippi and we hope increasingly more visitors will judge our offerings for themselves.

[Craig Ray, director of the Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority, said state leaders are aware of the problems faced by communities that relay on tourism dollars.] What we can do is protect the business we have now by moving conventions scheduled for the coast to other places, ... We're constantly on message that the state is open for business.

Maybe the number of travelers aren't as high, but the money spent is way up. The travelers are staying longer and spending more money. When you look at it in that sense, I'd say it's very positive.

We knew her to be an avid dater,

He worked at the Legends since it first opened. He loved golf and it was an opportunity for him to see people.

What an ambassador he's been for the state of Mississippi.