Harrah's Hosts Golf Tourney with the Joint Center; Award-winning Rio Secco Golf Club Site for Fundraising Event

10/9/2003

From: Liselle Yorke of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, 202-789-6366, lyorke@jointcenter.org

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 9 -- The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. are hosting the first annual Celebrity Charity Golf Classic to be held November 1 and 2, at the magnificent Rio Secco Golf Club, home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf in Las Vegas.

Celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment, including Butch Harmon, will be paired with amateurs in this exciting golf event.

"We are pleased to be partnering with Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. in hosting our first fundraising golf tournament," said Eddie N. Williams, president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. "The unique affiliation with Harrah's has allowed us to put together a world class event, in America's most exciting city, with a diverse group of people. We are thrilled to have this relationship with Harrah's, and are looking forward to more successful joint ventures in the years ahead."

The event will raise funds for the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, located in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1970, the non-profit organization conducts research and analysis on major policy issues that affect both African Americans and the nation as a whole. It also conducts conferences, training and technical programs.

The schedule of events begins Friday, October 31, and includes three nights at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, plus an exciting roster of activities. These include a welcome dinner and auction, practice rounds, the Butch Harmon instructional clinic, a luncheon awards ceremony and a day of golf at the world-famous Rio Secco Golf Club.

Rio Secco, nestled in the foothills of Las Vegas' dramatic Black Mountain Range, is located just 12 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. Rio Secco was named one of the "Top Ten Golf Destinations in the World" by USA Today, and was also ranked among the country's top 100 public golf courses by Golf Digest.

Three tiers of corporate sponsorship packages are available for this one-of-a-kind event, and each includes a variety of attractive options. For more information on obtaining a sponsorship package, please contact Chris Naylor at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies at (866) 558-2736, or visit the tournament web site at http://www.jointcenter.org.

The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino is owned and operated by Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. Founded more than 60 years ago, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the most geographically diversified casino company in the United States, operating 26 casinos under the Harrah's, Showboat, Rio and Harveys brand names. With a combined database of more than 24 million players, Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its target customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.