Registration is under way for the ninth-annual Cutthroat Croquet Tournament to be held May 19, along the waterfront in Bath.

The tournament is an annual fundraiser to continue the Dorothy and John Tankard Memorial Scholarship for a Bath or Belhaven student at Beaufort County Community College and for enhancing Historic Bath, to which the Tankards were dedicated.

For the second year, the tournament will have more playing time for those interested in less aggressive play. The first round of the tournament will be used to flight players into one of two flights — the Cutthroat Flight for more aggressive players or the Rapscallion Flight for those who enjoy more leisurely play. Each flight will offer booty for the top four finalists.

The tournament will be held in conjunction with Bath Fest, a daylong series of activities that will also include historic demonstrations, homes tours, and a crafts show all within walking distance along the Bath waterfront. As players complete their play, they may tour the entire area at no charge.

Southern Bank and Trust Co. of Belhaven; Rod Cantrell, CFP, Edward Jones Investments of Washington; Tankard Farms; Darkwater Enterprises Inc.; and Crop Production Services of Vanceboro are the major corporate sponsors of the tournament. Jill Jones and Ken Hill with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management are sponsoring a portion of the prizes.

The registration fee for the tournament is $35 for each player. The fee pays for at least three rounds of croquet and a picnic lunch. Spectators may join participants for lunch for a fee of $15 a person.

All players must register from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Play begins at 9:30 a.m. or as soon as groups of four have gathered.

To register for the tournament and/or the luncheon, interested persons can contact Marcia Norwood at 940-6218 or marcian@beaufortccc.edu.