NATCHEZ — We need golfers.

That was the message from the Miss-Lou Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s outgoing president Walt Brown in regard to the foundation’s annual golf tournament.

The Joe Fortunato Celebrity Golf Tournament will be Saturday at Duncan Park, and Brown said he needs more golfers and sponsors to help raise funds for the foundation’s annual scholarship fund.

“When we went to a one-day tournament a couple of years ago, that hurt our numbers a little bit,” Brown said.

“It’s also Mother’s Day weekend, so there are a lot of activities going on, but we’re still expecting a good crowd. Last year, we had 100 golfers. The more golfers, the more money raised for the scholarships.”

Each spring, the foundation splits $10,000 among one student-athlete from each of the six local schools — Natchez High, Trinity Episcopal, Cathedral School, Adams County Christian, Vidalia High and Ferriday High. The money raised at the Joe Fortunato Golf Tournament is the foundation’s only major fundraiser for the scholarship money.

“That’s what we’re doing it for,” Brown said. “It’s a great event, and everyone comes together, but the main reason we’re doing it is to raise money for six deserving senior scholar athletes.”

The tournament format will be a four-man scramble, with different prizes depending of whether a hole-in-one is hit on a certain hole, Brown said.

The tax-deductable entry fee is $100 per person, and Brown said there are other ways to donate as well.

“If you can’t play, you can get a hole sponsorship for $100,” Brown said. “We just need it (at least) two days before the tournament so we can make the signs.”

Celebrities such as former Kansas City Chief Nolan Smith and former Mississippi State and Boston Celtics basketball star Bailey Howell will be on-hand.

Brown said a lot of the credit for organizing the tournament goes to Fortunato’s wife, Catherine Fortunato.

“She doesn’t like me bragging on her, but she’s really the key that puts it all together,” Brown said.

Tee times are at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 601-442-5481 or 601-442-6555, or 601-442-3903 and leave a message.