By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – The Montevallo Chamber of Commerce is set to host the annual Mary Lou Williams Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament on Thursday, April 24 at Cahaba Falls Country Club.

Registration and lunch for the event starts at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Adele Nelson, the executive director of the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, shared the history of the Mary Lou Williams Scholarship Fund and how the golf tournament supports it.

“The Mary Lou Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund was established and named after Mary Lou Williams, who passed away in 2016,” Nelson said. “Mary Lou retired from UM as the director of Development and Alumni Relations in 2008 and served as the Montevallo Chamber executive director until 2013. Funds raised from the Montevallo Chamber Golf Tournament goes towards University of Montevallo scholarships.”

The event came about, according to Nelson, to honor Williams’ memory. Nelson outlined who is eligible for the scholarship and how recipients are selected.

“A scholarship goes to a graduating senior from Montevallo High School and a graduating senior from Bibb County High School who will be accepted and attend the University of Montevallo,” Nelson said. “Those MHS & BCHS Class of 2025 seniors who are eligible can email their resume to the chamber at montevallochamber@gmail.com.”

The tournament has received positive feedback from the Montevallo and Bibb County communities in the past, with the fundraising goal for this year’s event entirely dependent on the community according to Nelson.

“(It) just depends on the player and the sponsor response, so the chamber is encouraging players and sponsors to participate,” Nelson said.

The format of the event will be a four-person scramble, with sponsorships still open for the event. A tournament sponsorship is available for $500, with a four-player team, lunch for four guests, a logo on the tee sign, name on tournament banner and name mentioned in all tournament publicity included in the sponsorship.

Prospective sponsors can also purchase a Tee or Green Sponsor to display signs on the course, with $50 per sign on hole. Spots are still open for teams, with a $70 fee per player that includes green fees, a cart, two free mulligans and lunch.

For more information on the event, visit Montevallochamberofcommerce.com/golf-tournament.