NATCHEZ — Brain Fisher remembers winning the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Inc. scholarship in 1996 as an Adams County Christian School football player.

Though the scholarship was just $500 compared to $3,000 today, Fisher said it made a big difference when paying for his first semester of college.

Eighteen years later, Fisher is the director of the Joe Fortunato Celebrity Golf Classic, which benefits the scholarship fund, and Fisher said he knows first hand the importance of community involvement in the 2014 Classic.

“It’s unbelievable the way the community has supported this event (throughout the years),” Fisher said. “It would not be possible to give this money without them. We also have silent donors who give money but don’t want recognition. The scholarships have grown, and that’s because of the community.”

The four-person scramble tees off May 3 with tee times a 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Duncan Park, and Fisher said he expects more than 100 participants.

Fisher said celebrities like Jared Hoffpauir, a former MLB player from Vidalia, would headline the Classic.

Fisher said the entry fee is $100 per player with several prizes available.

There will be four hole-in-one prizes sponsored by Great River Chevrolet, along with a drawing for an additional chance to win an automobile.

There will also be a ball drop where the winner will receive $1,000.  Fisher said participants do not have to be present at the event to win the ball drop as long as they buy a $10 ball.

“There are only 300 tickets available for the ball drop,” Fisher said.

Entry forms or sponsorships can be secured by calling Freddie Sandel at 601-493-6450, Joe Willis at 601-941-8550 or Fisher at 601-597-6060.