There are only two open team slots still available for the eighth annual Selma-Dallas County Sav-A-Life golf tournament on Friday, Aug. 26., at the Valley Grande Golf Course.

The charity golf tournament is put on each year to raise money for the non-denominational Christian ministry “serving those in the Dallas County and surrounding areas that are facing a crisis pregnancy and are unsure of their options.”

“We are a non-profit Christian ministry that offers help and hope to families facing crises pregnancies,” executive director Jennifer Dobbs said. “All of our services are free, which includes: pregnancy testing, ultra sounds, option counseling and parenting classes.”

Sav-A-Life depends on donations and fundraising events, like the golf tournament, in order to continue providing services to women in need.

“We rely on individual donations and church donations, but we have to use fundraisers to sustain our ministry,” Dobbs said. “One of the ways that we found was creative in our area and unique to us, was that men like to play golf. There’s only so much that you can tap into in our community. We wanted to create a way so that men could help and be a part of the ministry.”

During the event, the golfers and spectators get a chance to learn about the ministry and what Sav-A-Life is aiming to achieve. Each contribution goes a long way, according to Dobbs.

“The donations literally save lives in our community,” she said. “We’re so appreciative of the community support for this ministry. We, here in the center, get to see what their money goes towards. We get to minister to these precious families. We want to thank the community on their behalf for the support.”

Check-in for the golf tournament will open at 8 a.m. Saturday morning at the Valley Grande Golf Course clubhouse. The fundraiser will begin with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

The tournament will be played in the 3-man scramble format. In a 3-man scramble, teams are divided into groups of three and they get to advance play with the best shot from the group.

The team registration usually maxes out according to volunteer organizer Matthew Dobbs.

“We usually have about 75 percent that are returning players,” he said. “It’s usually the same people that support and participate every year.”

The cost to register is $75 per player or $225 per team. The entry fee includes three mulligans per player, three tickets for door prizes, lunch and non-alcoholic beverages.

The first-place winner will take home a $100 cash prize. Second and third place will be awarded $75 and $50 respectively.

Bonus prizes of $100 each will be awarded for the longest drive on Hole No.3, and the closest ball to the pin on Hole No.11.

Even for those who aren’t gifted on the links, Matthew said contributions to the ministry can still be made by contacting the pregnancy resource center at (334) 875-8900. Sav-A-Life will also be accepting donations at the golf course on Saturday.

Those who are still interested in playing should contact Matthew as soon as possible since space is limited. For more information on registering for the golf tournament, contact Matthew at (334) 375-0547.