By BART ROTTIER / Special to the Reporter

PELHAM – The Alabama Open Golf Championship will be held at Ballantrae Golf Club in Pelham on August 3-5. The tournament field is full at 156 total players.

All 156 players will play 18 holes on both Friday and Saturday. The low 70 players plus ties after 36 holes make the cut and compete in the final 18-hole round on Sunday.

This year’s field is highlighted by many quality players including defending champion Jason Dillard, who recorded rounds of 67-70-64 on his way to victory in last year’s Alabama Open at Ballantrae.

The 156-player field is made up of 95 golf professionals and 61 amateurs. The projected total purse for the tournament is $52,000 in cash for professionals and gift certificates for amateurs. The first place professional will receive $12,000.

Ballantrae, which opened in June of 2004, hosted the Dixie PGA Senior Championship in 2005 and is also home of the Dixie PGA section office