PLANS FOR INAUGURAL EMMITT SMITH CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

APRIL 14, 2010 - DALLAS, TX

Emmitt Smith, the NFL All-Time rushing leader and Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Inductee, officially announced plans surrounding his Inaugural 2010 Celebrity Invitational Charity Golf Tournament at Heritage Auction Galleries Design District Annex on Wednesday. Proceeds from the first Annual Tournament will benefit Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities. Emmitt was joined by his wife Pat, chairman and CEO of Craig International, David Craig, and Executive Vice President of Heritage Auction Galleries, Todd Imhof.

Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities creates educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children. "Emmitt and I believe that every child deserves that one opportunity to experience what they dream. Perhaps the moment of hope will spark a drive within them to believe in limitless possibilities," said Pat. "We're trying to encourage young people by giving them opportunities to step out there and do more so they can see things they otherwise wouldn't see, " added Emmitt.
The Inaugural Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament will take place at TPC Craig Ranch on May 14-15, 2010. Festivities will include a VIP Invitation-only Red Carpet Pairings Party, Live Auction of Once-in-a-Lifetime Fantasy Experiences and a Celebrity Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament on May 14. The private Celebrity Pro-Am Style Golf Tournament will take place on May 15.
The list of celebrity invitees for the spectacular event reads like a "Who's Who" of Hall of Fame members, well-known athletes and famous entertainers. Confirmed celebrity participants to date include Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen, Jerome Bettis, Steve Beuerlein, Bruce Bowen, Derrick Brooks, Tim Brown, Eric Dickerson, Roy Green, Michael Irvin, Rickey Jackson, Michael Johnson, Daryl Johnston, Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Donna Richardson Joyner, Nancy Lieberman, Floyd Little, Rodney Peete, John Randle, Barry Sanders, Jason Terry, Winfred Tubbs, DeMarcus Ware, Spud Webb, Darren Woodson, Rayfield Wright and more to come.

Heritage Auction Galleries, The World's Largest Collectibles Auctioneer, will oversee the live charity auction of Fantasy Experiences featuring an online video broadcast and Internet/phone-in bidding at: www.HA.com/EmmittSmith.
Platinum SponsorsTPC Craig Ranch, TRAXXAS, Shell Oil, Sunjack Consulting, LLC- Jon, Julie and Jack Frankel, Michael WilsonEvent SponsorsHeritage Auction Galleries, Jones Lang LaSalle, Crest Cadillac, In Any Event Dallas, Murray Media, Cattleback BBQ, Ron St. Angelo Photography, HAS Events, Core24.

Craig Ranch Receives McSAM Award for Best Multimedia Marketing Piece

(April 15—McKinney, TX) Craig Ranch has received the McSAM Award for Best Multimedia Marketing Piece, given by the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas. The piece was designed and produced by Virtual Sciences, a pioneer in the use and development of computer aided design technologies. The piece gives a three dimensional visualization of the development, showing what Craig Ranch will look like when fully built out.
“This presentation was a labor of love,” said David Craig, Founder and developer of Craig Ranch. “We really wanted potential residents and businesses to see the full vision of Craig Ranch. A lot of work went into making this virtual experience a reality and we are thrilled to be honored by McSAM.”
The virtual presentation can be viewed at the Craig Ranch Information Center or online at www.virtualsciences.net. Click on architecture, mixed-use and Craig Ranch.
Craig Ranch was also a finalist for Community of the Year and Best Magazine Ad for a Developer. Earlier this year, Craig Ranch received the Gold Award for Best Information Center given by the National Association of Home Builders Sales and Marketing Council (NSMC), known as The Nationals (http://www.thenationals.com/). The McKinney development was also one of five finalists in the country for Community of the Year.
The McSAM Awards were created in 1979 by the Sales and Marketing Council of the Home Builders Association of Greater Dallas in recognition of Sales and Marketing excellence. The prestigious McSAM Award is given to Builders, Developers and Associates who have made a significant and creative contribution in residential marketing through specific achievements during the year.
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About Craig Ranch
Craig Ranch is a 2,200 acre master-planned business, retail, and residential community in McKinney, Texas – recently ranked by Money Magazine as one of the top 15 “Best Places to Live” in America. Craig Ranch is a high profile, regional point of destination, with its open space and ambiance serving as a natural setting for outdoor concerts, water-inspired events, art fairs and exhibits. Soccer and baseball fields, hike and bike trails and dedicated green space give residents a sense of place they are proud to call home. Craig Ranch is an AT&T Connected Community. Its marquee venues include: the TPC at Craig Ranch, the Michael Johnson Performance Center, the Cooper Fitness Center & Spa at Craig Ranch, the Hospital at Craig Ranch, Dr Pepper StarCenter McKinney at Craig Ranch, The Ball Fields at Craig Ranch and The Premier Soccer Fields at Craig Ranch. More information on Craig Ranch can be found at: http://www.craigranchtx.com/.

Media Contact:
Carey Marin
carey@lemastergroup.com
(214) 914-1157

Craig Ranch in McKinney offers one-of-a-kind lifestyle

Named as one of the top five communities in the nation, Craig Ranch in McKinney is offering a one-of-a-kind lifestyle that has it all. Whether you are in the market for a townhome, single family or estate home, at Craig Ranch you can enjoy unsurpassed amenities that include soccer, volleyball and baseball fields, hike and bike trails as well as marquee venues such as the prestigious TPC at Craig Ranch golf course & club and Cooper Fitness Center & Spa.

Andy Lilliston and his wife, Jane moved to Craig Ranch in 2007 after living in Plano for 30 years. “Our home sits on one of the main green belts,” said Lilliston. We love to look out and see the green grass! McKinney has always had a ‘small town’ feeling, but offers a lot of ‘big town’ opportunities and Craig Ranch is well thought of in surrounding towns.”

A day in the life of a resident at Craig Ranch might look something like this: after dropping the kids off at one of the nationally acclaimed Frisco ISD schools, swing by the Cooper Fitness Center for a morning workout. Head to work in the corporate center at Craig Ranch, meet a client for a quick round of golf at the TPC and easily make it in time to watch your child’s soccer game. Later that evening, take a walk with the family along the fitness trail. All without ever leaving your neighborhood.

Craig Ranch offers a large variety of family friendly community events for its residents. “Each summer we look forward to the Swim & a Movie at Riverwalk Pool,” said resident Vicki Schmitz. “You get to see so many of your neighbors out for a night of fun. The Rockin' Ranch Moms group is also fantastic. It has been a wonderful way for the entire family to meet neighbors, make friends, and have Texas feel a little bit more like "home."

Two of the newest product offerings at Craig Ranch are the K. Hovnanian in The Villas and the Residences at Grand Lodge. K. Hovnanian will feature seven new floor plans created specifically for Craig Ranch, five of which are single story and targeted toward empty nesters.

Buyers can choose from a Spanish, French or Traditional elevation with floor plans ranging from 2600 to 3200 square feet and most plans offering an optional bonus room. Homes will be priced from the mid-300s to mid-400s. The new model home is now open.

The Residences at Grand Lodge will offer a select few the chance to own one of only 23 ultra-luxurious greenside lodgehomes with exclusive direct access to the world-class TPC Craig Ranch golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf. The exquisite architecture of these privately gated two- and three-story homes combine natural fieldstone and cut limestone exteriors with slate roofs, to create a true lodge feeling. With expansive interiors ranging from 3700- 5400 square feet, residents can build their dreams from a blank canvas or step into a custom home like none other for $1.2 to 2.4 million.

The homes feature an exterior of natural fieldstone and cut limestone with slate roofs that bring to life a true lodge feeling. Standard features include a private elevator, multi-level covered patios, outdoor kitchens and wood burning fireplaces. Each homeowner receives their own exclusive membership to the TPC Craig Ranch as well as many other customized amenities such as direct access onto the course and front row seats to live competitive rounds of the PGA TOUR.

More information on the one-of-a-kind lifestyle you deserve at Craig Ranch can be found at http://www.craigranchtx.com.