The sixth annual National Patriot Invitational Pro-Am being held at National Golf Club concludes Monday with Sunbelt Senior Tour players vying for the championship.

The first two days of the event were played with amateurs competing with the pros in a team format. That changes Monday when the pros go head-to-head in the final round. The public is invited to view the action.

The Sunbelt Tour, operated by Don Barnes, is one of the most respected mini-tours in the country. It provides a venue for players 47 and older who are trying to hone their games for the PGA Champions tour, as well as for those who simply enjoy competing on a professional level.

Chuck Deleot is chairman of The Patriot Foundation, which encompasses far more than just a three-day golf tournament.

"With all the activity surrounding the Patriot Soldier Appreciation Weekend and its pro-am/pro tournament, it would be easy to conclude that our activities are focused primarily on that three-day golf event," Deleot said. "Actually, we are busy all year raising money. The bulk of the money we raise is from foundations and corporations not specifically related to the pro-am.

"The pro-am is self-sustaining and does not itself throw off money for the charities. But the bulk of the money comes from the corporate side. The pro-am is a convenient way to gather important people together to honor the soldiers and give us a public venue to award scholarship money to the charities.

"The Patriot weekend signifies the end of one year's fund-raising cycle and the immediate start of another."

The tournament raised $50,000 last year for its two charities, the Unit Scholarship Fund that supports Army Special Operations and the All American Strategic Response Force that supports the 82nd Airborne Division.

Deleot stressed that while a silent auction is held to raise some money, it is not enough to fund the programs.

"Unless the silent auction is successful well beyond our expectations, the bulk of our money for the charities does come from corporate donors," he said.

Little River: If the goal of Little River Golf Resort General Manager Craig Luckey and Director of Golf Marvin Waters was to win friends and influence people, they were dead on target last Tuesday.

Little River, now owned by Oceanico and managed by Troon Golf, hosted a Golfers' Appreciation Day that made them appreciated by everyone who attended.

"We just wanted to thank everyone in the community for the way we've been accepted," Luckey said. "It was our way to thank those who've supported us and to give some others a chance to see what's going on at Little River."

The course, originally designed by Dan Maples and renovated over the past couple of years, was in perfect condition for the outing.

"We gave 82 people a chance to see what we have here," Waters said. "We're proud of what's happening here."

N.C. Four-Ball: The 13th North Carolina Four-Ball Championship will be played on two courses at Ocean Ridge Plantation in Sunset Beach Friday through Sunday.

The Carolinas Golf Association championship will be staged on both the Tim Cate-designed Panther's Run and Willard Byrd-designed Lion's Paw courses at Ocean Ridge Plantation.

After the competitors play one round on each course over the first two days, the field will be trimmed to the low 30 teams and ties for the final round on the Panther's Run layout. Panther's Run will play at 6,940 yards (par 72), while Lion's Paw measures 6,903 yards (par 72).

Ocean Ridge Plantation was the site of the Carolinas Mixed Team Championship in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Last year's championship at Foxfire Village was won by Bobby Dean and Anthony Ray, of Charlotte, who posted a last-day 62 to win by three strokes over a trio of runner-up squads. Dean and Ray are among the 74 teams entered this year.

For more information about the 13th N.C. Four-Ball Championship of the Carolinas Golf Association and many other CGA events, visit the Championship Home Page online at www.carolinasgolf.org.

Tarheel Tour: Good health and a new putter helped Matt Davidson win the EGolf Tarheel Tour Championship held in Gordonsville and Wintergreen, Va.

Recently recovered from surgery for a torn labrum, Davidson, who resides in Chapel Hill, used a new Stealth putter to break away from the pack with a final-round 72 that earned him the title and a $34,000 check.

Will McGirt, a native of Fairmont who plays out of Boiling Springs, S.C., finished sixth with 211 and won $6,500. Frank Adams III, of Laurinburg, tied for 12th, winning $3,000. David Sanchez, of Pinehurst, won $1,325, finishing tied for 42nd at 220. Andy Bare, formerly of Pinehurst, won $1,079.