A golf tournament benefiting Special Olympics has been moved to Oct. 1 so organizers have more time to raise more money for the cause.

The Pinehurst Police Department is inviting everyone to rally at Pinehurst No. 8 for the first Community Cup Golf Tournament. The tournament was originally scheduled for Sept. 10.

Two teams, captained by Pinehurst Police Chief Earl Phipps and Pinehurst Fire Chief J. Carlton Cole, respectively, will compete in a Ryder Cup-style event with the winners taking home trophies.

The golfers will compete in six holes each of scramble, alternate shot, and best ball competition. One point will be awarded for each six-hole match for a total of three points for each two-person team for the tournament.

The team with the most points following the matches will be determined the winner and will be presented with the “Community” Cup.

The cost to play is $150 for the general public, and $100 for active-duty police and fire personnel. Participants in the area will play with members of the Blue team (police and law enforcement) or the Red team (fire and rescue).

The tournament includes a breakfast catered by Dunkin Donuts and a post-tournament lunch provided by Texas Roadhouse.

Phipps, on the job for less than a year, has brought an energetic flair to the job, and is determined to raise $20,000 for the statewide charity.

“We’re always looking for fun ways to involve the community to raise money for Special Olympics, and I really want to raise more than the $14,500 donated in the past,” Phipps said. “All of these fundraising efforts encourage civic spirit, and that’s what we’re all about.

“Our goal is $18,000-$20,000 to support our efforts in the Torch Run for Special Olympics, consisting of a variety of events by law enforcement agencies to obtain dollars for this special charity. It is so encouraging to watch our citizens be so supportive of our efforts.”

For more information, contact the Police Department at (910) 295-3141 or Andrew Stilwell at (910) 215-0587, andrewstilwell@tarheel

communications.com.

Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or tembrey@ thepilot.com.