By Allison Hersh
For Coastal Senior

Local golfers will have the chance to tee off for a good cause when the third annual Savannah Area Tourism Leadership Council Golf Tournament returns to The Club at Savannah Harbor on Nov. 1 at 12:30 p.m. Thirty-two teams of four players will take to the emerald links for a full day of golf, fun and prizes.

The Savannah Area Tourism Leadership Council, a 195-member non-profit organization of businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry, has gained a reputation for presenting a first-class golf tournament that has become one of the most eagerly-anticipated annual charity events.

The annual golf tournament is one of the organization's biggest events, raising money to benefit the Gail Vasilkioti Fund, established in memory of a tourist who was fatally shot in Savannah in 1999, and the Good Samaritan Emergency Fund, devoted to providing financial assistance to Tourism Leadership Council members and employees in times of crisis.

Proceeds from the 2001 Savannah Area Tourism Leadership Council Golf Tournament, which is sponsored by Nextel, will also help provide scholarships to outstanding students in the hospitality and tourism industry.

"A lot of people in Savannah enjoy playing golf for a good cause," says Savannah Tourism Leadership Council executive director Tammy Ray. "This golf tournament is successful because the proceeds go to support so many excellent efforts we have underway."

This popular charity golf tournament raises money for a good cause and also provides exciting rewards for players. Players who win the hole-in-one contests on the front nine and back nine will have the chance to drive off with a brand-new Lexus. The winner of the putting contest will earn two round-trip airline tickets. Dozens of prizes, including stays at area resorts, golf trips and gift certificates at local restaurants, will be awarded to top-ranking teams in various categories.

Last year, the tournament sold out, with 32 teams of four players taking to the golf course for a full day of driving, chipping and putting. This year, the tournament will once again bring together 128 golfers from across the area.

"Although most of the people who play in the tournament are members of the TLC, we certainly welcome anyone in the community to play," says Ray. "It's a great tournament."

She believes that local golfers have particularly big hearts when it comes to charity golf events. "The average golfer in this area is inundated with requests to play in charity tournaments," she says. "They tend to say yes because they love to play golf and support a good cause."

The registration fee is $500 per foursome, which includes lunch before the tournament, an awards reception and a special goody bag. The format is a four-person scramble. To register for the 2001 Savannah Area Tourism Leadership Council Golf Tournament, call (912) 232-1223.