An afternoon of fun, lighthearted competition will be teed up for couples visiting the Dowagiac Elks Lodge later this month.

The local service organization will host its annual “Guys & Dolls” Charity Golf Outing at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at its golf course and clubhouse located off Riverside Drive. The golf outing and dinner costs $35 per ticket, and includes a round of golf plus golf cart rental and steak dinner with all the fixings, as well as eligibility for door prizes and other rewards.

Couples will be split into teams of four, or two couples each, who will compete against another team on each of the course’s nine holes, said organizer Dick Morey. Each member of the team will alternate shots during the competition.

In comparison to other local golf outings, the “Guys & Dolls” event is less about serious competition and more about enjoying an autumn afternoon with friends and loved ones, Morey said.

“No one cares who shoots what,” Morey said. “We just want people want to come out and have a good time.”

At the end of the golf outing, scorecards will be drawn at random, with winners receiving prizes, such a free rounds of golf at other local courses, Morey said.

Following the golfing, participants will return to the clubhouse for a dinner and prepared by Elks members, Morey said.

On top of golf, people attending the outing will have a chance to participate in a 50/50 raffle and silent auction. People who purchase tickets will automatically be eligible to win door prizes as well, such as coffee mugs or T-shirts, Morey said.

“People always like to win something,” he said.

All proceeds from the event will go toward the two annual $1,000 scholarships the Elks award to Cass County area high school students, Morey said.

“The scholarship is another one of the youth programs we do for children in the Dowagiac area,” Morey said. “We also have our Junior Golf Program in the summer, as well as our national hoop shoot. One of the overall goals of ‘Elkdom’ is helping youth and sponsoring student activities.”

The Elks Club has organized the couples’ golf outing more than 25 years ago as a way to fund the annual scholarships, Morey said.

Spots for the competition are still available. To register, people can call the Elks Lodge at (269) 782-3889 or Morey at (269) 424-5863.

Individuals or businesses can also sponsor the event, for $40. Sponsors will be publically recognized by the club for their support.