Selma Mayor George Evans said he’ll work on his putting stroke in the next month, so that he can be ready when the seventh annual Mayor’s Charity Golf Classic starts in October.

Evans always remains at the eighteenth green and tries to hole a putt for each team. If he makes it, that team can take a stroke off its score.

“I’m going to get ready, and I’m going to make a few this time,” Evans said with a laugh.

The tournament will be held Oct. 19 at Valley Grande Golf Course and is a flighted, three-man scramble.

While the focus will be on golf that day, the tournament serves a larger purpose by benefitting the special needs children in Selma and Dallas County.  Proceeds go toward Cahaba Mental Health, West Alabama Rehabilitation East-Seals, Selma City Schools, Dallas County Schools and Selma Disability Advocacy Center.

Team registration is $80 for individuals or $240 for each team, which includes being signed up for the closest to the pin, inside the circle, the longest drive and The “Pepsi Cup” drive contests. Sponsorships are available at three levels — silver ($400), gold ($600) and platinum ($1,000).

Evans said his passion for special needs children started when he was still working in the Selma City School System.

“When I became mayor, I wanted to give back to support those kids and those parents and teachers who work with them daily,” Evans said.

“That’s how the passion came to give back to those kids and be supportive of them because they seem to be left out.”

Registration and donations should be made payable to the “GPE Mayor’s Charitable Fund”, a 501c3 organization.

For more information, call the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce at 874-2101.

Evans said he’s already planning to keep the event going when he is no longer mayor.

“I’d still like to do that the kids,” Evans said. “I don’t want this to go away because I am no longer mayor.”