ATHENS — Local golfers will have a chance to spend a sunny day on the links while helping future Athens State University students during the 28^th annual Athens State Alumni Golf Classic.

The tournament is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, at Canebrake Club in Athens. Proceeds from the tournament fund scholarships, with more than $25,000 raised last year. Scholarships were awarded to 13 Athens State students during the 2018-2019 school year. All students honored by these scholarships volunteer their time to represent Athens State at the tournament and other events on campus throughout the year.

Check-in is at 10 a.m. followed by lunch, provided by Food Fite. The event’s shotgun start is 11:30 a.m., with dinner from Greenbrier and the awarding of prizes to follow the tournament in the clubhouse.

Skill prizes will be awarded for Championship Flight, First Flight, Longest Drive (men/women), and Closest to the Hole (men/women). Additional raffle prizes include a one-night stay at Ross Bridge, a $200 gift card for Osborne’s Jewelers, a one-hour photography session with Wandering View Photography and a one-hour axe-throwing session for three people at Civil Axe Throwing.

Raffle tickets are $20 for five chances, $35 for 10 chances or $50 for 25 chances.

Individuals or businesses can sponsor a hole or half-hole starting at $600. The cost includes promotional consideration on the golf course and on Athens State’s website.

Team registration fees are $800, and each player will receive a $50 Canebrake Pro Shop gift certificate, shared cart, lunch, dinner, greens fees, course refreshments, two mulligans, one power drive and hospitality gifts.

Team registration closes Friday, May 17. Those interested in participating in this year’s tournament can register at www.athens.edu/alumni/golfclassic or contact the Athens State Office of University Advancement at alumni@athens.edu or 256-233-8185 for more information.

In the event of rain, the Golf Classic will be held Thursday, May 30.