The Greenville Area Jaycees are aiming to bring Christmas in July with its 16th annual Kids Classic golf tournament, held at Cambrian Ridge on Saturday, July 18.

All of the proceeds collected from the tournament will go toward making Christmas brighter for a number of Butler County’s foster children later this year.

Tournament coordinator Ben Norman said that the annual golf tournament is by far the organization’s largest event of the year, accounting for more than 90 percent of total funds raised.

But this year’s registration numbers have been a bit slower than those of the past.

“We’re usually sitting a little better than we are now, but hopefully we’ll make a good late push,” Norman said.

The Kids Classic is a three-person scramble tournament, and the entry fee is $90 per player.

Hole sponsorships are available for $100.

Prizes will be available in the form of Cambrian Ridge gift certificates for first, second and third-place teams with the best net score.

The certificates can be used on any item in the gift shop, and will also pay for rounds of golf.

As the number of total participants in the tournament increases, so will the value of the gift certificates.

In addition to skill-based rewards, there will also be a drawing for a two-night stay at Wind Creek Casino and Hotel in Atmore or Wetumpka.

“It includes a dinner, a cooking class and two massage tickets, so it’s a nice little package,” Norman added.

But the biggest prize of all is the knowledge that several foster children will have one more thing to smile about during the holiday season.

“It’s a good thing,” Norman said.

“It’s worth the work in the summer for the payoff in the winter.”

A shotgun start is set for 8 a.m., with registration beginning at 7 a.m.

The range will be available for golfers, and a dinner will be held for all participants in one of the pavilions after the conclusion of the tournament.

“It’d be great if we got registration by next Wednesday,” Norman said.

“But if someone wants to come and play, we definitely won’t turn them away that morning.”