NATCHEZ — Officials for the 17th annual United Way Golf Scramble are looking for more participants.

Dick Walcott, board member for the Miss-Lou Chapter of the United Way, said sponsorship for the tournament has been strong, but he would like more players to sign up for Friday’s event at Beau Pré.

“We’re right in the middle of all the golf tournaments going on in town,” Walcott said. “We’ve had good response for our hole and platinum sponsorships, but we need more players.

“We have 12 to 14 teams registered right now, and we could take more and need more. We’ll take players that show up to play Friday, but we’d like them to register in advance.”

The tournament will include lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The shotgun start for the scramble is 1 p.m., and a reception will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Walcott said United Way is both ending its annual fundraising campaign and preparing to begin it.

“This is either the last fundraiser or first fundraiser of the year for United Way,” Walcott said. “Our campaign starts in the fall and carries over into the following year, so we’re kind of wrapping up the ’09 campaign and getting into the 2010 campaign.

“The United Way is a general fundraising group that distributes to around 12 to 13 local charities, such as Adams County 4H and the Red Cross. Any fundraising we get goes towards local charities, and many of them couldn’t exist without our support.”

Teams will consist of four members, and the tournament will operate as a four-man scramble, Walcott said.

“Everyone hits, and you pick the best shot out of the four for each hole and count it,” Walcott said.

For more information, call Christine Brinegar at 601-442-1081.