It's time to tee off with the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Pike County Economic Development Corporation at the fourth annual Business and Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament.

Tee off is at 1 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2003. Twenty-two four-person teams will show their skill on the course against other business people. The fee to participate is $75 per player. Individuals can sign up to play and will be assigned to a team according to handicaps or four people can sign-up together and play as a team.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corporation is hosting the tournament to show businesses and industries in Pike County how much they are appreciated. People participating in the tournament will get to network with other people from the businesses and industries in Pike County. Participants will be able to make contacts through the tournament that will last a long time.

Usually the only opportunity to deal with business people is on a business or professional level and this allows everyone a chance to have contact with one another in a relaxed social atmosphere with a little friendly competition.

If just getting out of the office for a day on the course isn't enough to get you interested, the prizes that will be awarded should be the incentive you need. There will be a $10,000 prize for a hole-in-one. There will also be prizes awarded to men and women for the longest drive and closest to the pin. And prizes will be awarded to the team with the lowest score. Door prizes will be awarded before tee time and there are more door prizes to be awarded during the social hour after the tournament.

Local business and industry are also being given the opportunity to have their name in front of all the players even if they can't be there to play. The Chamber is accepting and encouraging businesses to sign up as a tournament sponsor. The business will be recognized as a tournament sponsor by a nice sign or banner with the business name and will be recognized in all media coverage as a sponsor. It's a great way to participate without being there.

Anyone interested in signing up for the tournament as a player or sponsor or for more information about the Business and Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament contact the Pike County Chamber of Commerce at 566-2294.