The Beaufort County Community College Foundation is gearing up for the 12^th annual Cutthroat Croquet Tournament.

The event will take place along the Bath waterfront on May 16 and, for the fifth year running, will include extended play for those interested in less competitive play, said Foundation Director Serena Sullivan. Sponsored by local corporations like Southern Bank, Atlantic Ag Aviation, TriCounty Telecom Foundation, Crop Production Services, P & G Manufacturing, Tankard Farms and the Tankard family, the tournament serves as an annual fundraiser to continue the Dorothy and John Tankard Memorial Scholarship for a Bath or Belhaven student at BCCC and for enhancing Historic Bath, a site in which the Tankards were dedicated, according to a BCCC press release.

“(The tournament) is supporting the community—not only Historic Bath but the students and helping them to further their education,” Sullivan said. “It’s all about giving back to the community. I think it’s going to be a great event, in a great location and we hope everyone comes out to support us.

Sullivan said the first round of the tournament will be used to group players into one of two flights — the cutthroat flight for more aggressive players or the rapscallion flight for those who enjoy more leisurely play. Prizes will be awarded to the top four finalists, according to the release.

All players must register between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., which is when play begins, the release said. Play will conclude when a champion is determined in each flight. All play generally concludes by 5 p.m. Standard white croquet attire is requested but not mandatory. The registration fee for the tournament is $35 per player. The fee includes at least two rounds of croquet and lunch. Spectators may join participants for lunch for a fee of $25. There are 130 tickets available for players and spectators, which have already begun to sell, according to Sullivan.

The buffet luncheon, catered by Chef Paul Cyr, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Among the items on the menu will be hand-carved Smithfield bourbon glazed ham, prime rib of beef, house-smoke salmon, roasted vegetables, chopped cole slaw, antipasto pasta salad, roasted corn, black bean and green bean salad, fresh fruit salad, salt and pepper rolls biscuits and desserts, the release said. Players and lunch participants are asked to register by May 11 to help the Foundation with planning.

The tournament will be held in conjunction with Bath Fest, a daylong festival of activities that will include historic demonstrations, homes tours and a crafts show. As players finish playing croquet, they are permitted to tour the festival at no charge.

For more information about the tournament, or to register to play, contact Foundation Director Serena Sullivan at 252-940-6326 or Foundation Specialist Marcia Norwood at 252-940-6218.