TIFTON — The 15th Annual Champions of Hope Sporting Clays Tournament will be held April 22.

The tournament, which is the main fundraiser for Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House, will be at Green Lakes Hunting and Fishing Club, located at 127 Phlox Road in Ocilla.

Nancy Bryan, director of Ruth’s Cottage, described the tournament “like golf, except for shooters,” and that this tournament is the only such competition in this area.

The course is 15 stations along a one and a half mile course, and since the course is so long, Bryan said, participants really need a vehicle of some sort to go from station to station.

They may bring their own, or utilize transportation provided by RCTPH for $40.

Participants may choose to compete individually or as a team, and they have a par of 100 shots, with less shots taken giving a better score. There is a participation limit of 22 teams of four per session.

There are two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Bryan said that the morning session fills up quickly, so participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible.

Bryan said that there are restrictions on ammunition size, and that it is a competition for rifles, not pistols.

Participants are asked to provide their own eye protection as well, but hearing protection will be provided should anyone forget to bring that.

Shells will also be available for purchase.

Prizes are awarded for best shooter in the male, female and youth categories. Participants are also classed by skill level, so that inexperienced shooters are not directly competing against skilled ones.

Bryan said that during the day, the Champion of Hope award will be given as well, which recognizes a group or entity that “has gone above and beyond for a period of years in support of the organization.”

Each participant will get a goodie bag as well, said Bryan, and breakfast and lunch are being provided for the participants.

In addition to the tournament, Bryan said they see a large turnout of supporters, as well as having a silent auction and a raffle.

People are also welcome to come to the facility and walk or ride around as well, even if they aren’t participating in the tournament.

“Most of the money we make from the event comes from our sponsors,” Bryan said, “so that’s a very important part of it.”

She said that they are still soliciting sponsors as well as donated prizes and food donations.

Bryan said that many businesses, organizations and individuals donate resources for the tournament, which allows RCTPH to retain more of the funds for their program.

“It’s an important part of our budget,” Bryan said, “because income from that we can use for anything and while we are heavily grant supported we need funding sources that give us the ability to do things we may need that aren’t restricted by grant parameters.”

Last year the total amount raised was $35,000, and Bryan said she would like to get this year’s net amount close to $40,000.

Breakfast and morning registration begins at 8 a.m., and the morning session will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Lunch and afternoon registration will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the afternoon session beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Entry fees are $100 per individual and $400 for a four person team.

Entries are due by April 19.

For more information call (229) 387-9697.