It’s long-winded, formal title is the Luis Miramontes Memorial Golf Tournament. Informally, among those in the know, it’s the Louie Shootout. Or, at its simplest – The Louie.

Regardless of which title you choose, it’s a tournament unlike any other.

How so? Most non-profits host tournaments with the goal of raising funds. The Louie, on the other hand, is all about gratitude. It is nothing less than an 18-hole thank-you to the generous partners who join the Louie Foundation in advancing the fight against cancer and enhancing the comfort of patients and their loved ones right here in the Redding area.

The Louie also stands out for its fun format. Gold Hills Golf Club, the host course, features a rather challenging championship layout, but for The Louie it is transformed into a short-hitter’s par-3 paradise. One need not be a long-range bomber to have a shot at the bountiful prizes up for grabs.

Did somebody mention prizes? That’s because there’s a closest-to-the-pin (‘KP’ if you prefer golf shorthand) prize valued at $500 (or more) on EVERY hole. On 14 of the holes, golfers lucky enough to record a hole-in-one will win $5,000. On the other four holes, the prize for an “ace” is a new car.

And just because that is not quite enough, the Louie Foundation board members decided to kick things up just a bit higher: Five KP winners will be selected (randomly, through a drawing) and given the chance to hole a 60-foot putt for a cool $10,000.

This year’s tournament begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, September. 9th, with a shotgun start. In other words, the four-person teams will begin play simultaneously on separate holes.

In keeping with the spirit of saying thanks, The Louie starts a day in advance with an Appreciation Party at 6 p.m. Friday, September 8th, on the Gold Hills patio terrace. Louie Foundation partners are invited to enjoy an evening of hors d’oeuvres, hosted libations, entertainment and dancing.

This high-spirited event features all players teeing off on the first hole, with only the best teams advancing to see which team emerges victorious. The winning team will be announced at the Sponsor Party. Contact Chad White, tournament director, at 530-246-7867 or chad@goldhillsgolf.com, for registration information.