Keeping Moore County Beautiful should be at the top of every citizen's "to-do" list.

The place we like to call "Golf Heaven" is one of the most beautiful areas in the state, thanks largely to the world-class golf courses and rolling landscapes of the horse farms that adorn the landscape.

That's one of the reasons everyone with a conscience and a sense of ownership in the area should be ready to step to the fore when the ninth annual Keep Moore County Beautiful (KMCB) Marge Owings Memorial Golf Tournament is held at Mid Pines Golf Club in Southern Pines May 9.

A more than reasonable entry fee of $125 includes lunch, a gift bag, snacks on course, and the Owings Memorial Gift Packet to every golfer, which contains four green fees for future play at Mid Pines, a premier Donald Ross' designed golf course. That alone is worth several times the entry fee.

The entry deadline is May 1, and persons interested in entering the tournament and supporting this fundraising event can contact Joan Neal, KMCB executive director, at 947-3478 or by e-mail at jneal@moorecountync.gov, or by visiting the Web site at www.keepmoorecountybeautiful.org.

"Keep Moore County Beautiful encourages beauty, recycling and a litter-free county" said Alice Hess, chairman of event committee. "Through the funding raised at this tournament KMCB is able to offer anti-litter and recycling campaigns at countywide events, environmental education to students, plants including daffodil bulbs to all schools to enhance their campuses and beautification awards to business and public areas throughout Moore County."

Several projects are credited to KMCB's leadership, including facilitating mixed paper recycling events, spring and fall litter cleanups, telephone book recycling contest and the annual Christmas tree recycling event, to name a few.

Each of these projects involves strong support of the KMCB Board of Directors and also the financial resources from the community, resulting in success of each project implemented throughout the calendar year.

Keep Moore County Beautiful is a nonprofit affiliate of Keep America Beautiful Inc. that was charted in 1987. The mission is to improve the public's attitude and behavior in handling solid waste, conserving natural resources, and involving them in beautification.

And the tournament offers the perfect alibi for spending a day on one of the area's great golf courses. Helping a great cause while having a great time is great stuff.