SOUTH BEND — The Four Winds Invitational may still be a couple of months away, but that doesn’t mean preparation for the event hasn’t started yet.

Wednesday afternoon at Blackthorn, which will host the LPGA Symetra Tour event Aug. 10-12, plans were announced for ticket sales and the need to get nearly 300 volunteers to work the tournament.

Tickets for the three-day event will go on sale June 1 at www.fourwindsinvitational.com and at 49 McDonald’s locations in southwest lower Michigan and northern Indiana.

General admission tickets are $10 per round. There is free admission for children age 15 and under when they are accompanied by a ticketed adult.

McDonald’s in Niles, Dowagiac, Cassopolis and Edwardsburg will be among those selling tickets to the inaugural Symetra Tour stop.

Earlier this year the Four Winds Casinos, title sponsors, and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians announced that proceeds from the tournament will benefit Memorial Children’s Hospital. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Ronald McDonald Family Room located at Memorial Hospital.

“Whether you plan to purchase a ticket, volunteer your time or entertain a large group at one of the available hospitality suites, there are a lot of ways to get involved and support the event,” Tim Firestone, general managed at Blackthorn Golf Club said.

“On behalf of everyone at Memorial Children’s Hospital, and certainly not the least of which is all the kids who are treated there, we would just like to say thank you to Four Winds, Tim Firestone of Blackthorn and all of you sponsors that are here today, we are eternally grateful for everything you are doing,” Jeff Dougherty, director of major gifts for Memorial Health Foundation, said. “We think this is the start of something really great for the entire community. Not only will it benefit our children’s hospital, but I think it will be a great opportunity for South Bend and Michiana.

It was also announced Thursday that between 250 and 300 volunteers will be need to work a variety of jobs.

A volunteer application is available at www.fourwindsinvitational.com/volunteers. To be selected, you must be at least 16 years of age prior to Aug. 1 and are required to pay a $25 fee (prior to Aug. 1), which includes a Four Winds Invitational polo shirt, hat and one round of golf at Blackthorn.

Food and beverages will also be provided to volunteers each day of service. Volunteers must complete nine total hours of service before receiving their free round of golf.

For questions regarding volunteer opportunities, contact Rick Love at (574) 232-4653 or at rich@blackthorngolf.com.