An annual, statewide event has returned to give members of the older generation a chance to compete and just have some fun.

The Masters Games of Alabama are set to begin within the coming week, as Valley Grande Golf Course will once again host the event’s golf tournament.

Elton Reece, director of the Selma Parks and Recreation Department and the State Masters Games golf tournament, said the games are aimed at giving seniors a competitive, fun outlet.

“The Masters Games were started in 1991 statewide in order to give the older generation some other things to do and the Masters Games of Alabama usually run through community centers,” Reece said. “It’s not only just golf, it’s checkers, bowling, swimming, softball throws, ping pong, Nerf football throws, shuffle board. There’s something that somebody at every age group can do something. The older the groups go, the more involved they are.”

The golf tournament at Valley Grande will take place Aug. 20-21, with the first day consisting of 18 holes, singles play, and day two consisting of a doubles, two-man scramble.

The cost to participate is $25 a day, including a $5 registration fee.

Age groups include ages 50-54, which is new to this year’s tournament, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and 70 and above.

Reece added that Aug. 20 will kick off with registration at 7:30 a.m. followed by breakfast, then a pitch-and-putt contest at 8 a.m. then tee off at 8:30 a.m. Play will be followed by lunch. Aug. 21 will also include breakfast and lunch.

Reece said the area of central Alabama is hosting the games for district nine, which includes Alabama counties from the Mississippi state line to the Georgia state line.

Reece estimates 40 to 80 golfers will participate, with the majority coming from Dallas County.

“Golf is big in Dallas County,” Reece said. “A large portion of the people that play are from Dallas County. We put more into it than a lot of counties do. A lot of players come from Montgomery. They’ve been in it a long time. In the past, we’ve only had three or four from Phenix City, Auburn or Opelika, but they found out they can play in our district and I’ve already registered about ten golfers from there.”

All people who play in the tournament qualify to go to the state tournament on Oct. 15-16 at Riverside Country Club in Lanett, Ala.

Participants can play a practice round at Valley Grande Golf Course a week prior to the tournament and only have to pay the cart fee.

To register, pick up an application at the Valley Grande Golf Course, or call Reece at the Selma Parks and Recreation Department at 874-2140.