The tournament is open to anyone who is interested in playing and those who wish to participate can register online or through the mail. The minimum donation to play is $100 per player can participants can play as singles or in groups up to four people. Businesses and associations are invited to sponsor the event as well, with four tiers of sponsorship: bronze - $100, silver - $200, gold - $300 and platinum - $750.

The golf tournament is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Ballston Spa Educational Foundation, said Linda Gorham, co-chair for the tournament. Other fundraisers include Taste of Ballston Spa which took place this past March, raffles and the buy a brick program, in which residents, graduates, businesses and professional organizations can have a brick engraved at the entrance of the high school. The Taste of Ballston Spa was a success this year, with about 20 organizations donating their services to allow participants to taste food and drinks from local restaurants. More than $6,000 was raised at this year’s event.

The golf tournament will begin at noon and dinner will be served at 5 p.m. and will include an awards ceremony and raffle and door prizes.

“It really is a fun time and is a great way to support our local kids,” Gorham said.

The educational foundation is a volunteer organization and was formed in 1996 as a way to raise supplemental money for the Ballston Spa Central School District. Through the foundation, teachers are able to apply for grants that could fund educational tools and projects that the school budget can not purchase, Gorham said. Since the foundation was started, $212,385 has been distributed throughout the district. Grant monies have been used to provide countless educational tools for classrooms in all grade levels, including a student art gallery and newspaper, a courtyard garden, interactive response systems which allow teachers to assess students understanding of lessons in the classroom, smart boards, digital microscopes, weather station equipment and heart monitors.

A committee reviews the grant proposals and awards the funding and monies generally support educational enrichment which goes beyond the realm of the daily operational needs of the district, Gorham said.

“The foundation strives to go above and beyond what the district can provide. It really is all about the kids and giving them the best education possible,” she added.

To register for the golf tournament, visit www.ballstonspaeducationfoundation.com or call (518) 884-7195 ext. 402 for more information.