Staff Reports news@times-journal.com

Sports were a big part of the June Jam experience in the 1980s and 1990s, and like the music festival and other events, sports are making their comeback, starting this year.

In the last century’s version of June Jam, the member of the groups Alabama hosted various sporting events – fishing tournaments, golf tournaments, a celebrity softball game, and more.

This year, Dixieland Delight Bourbon is hosting a golf tournament, May 31, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at Terrapin Hills Country Club.

Calling it “The Dixieland Delight Toast Fore the Jam Invitational,” organizers clearly have a light-hearted approach to the event. The tagline for the tournament is “Lotsa Fun. Notso Fancy.”

The tournament will take place the Friday before the Alabama June Jam on Saturday, June 1.

Greg Fowler of the Alabama Fan Club & Museum said proceeds from this new event will go to the Alabama June Jam Foundation, as do proceeds from the Jam itself.

On the Dixieland Delight website, the tournament pitch reads like this:

“June Jammers, wanna do something fun...something different...something outside the box? Play a few holes the old fashioned way...and play a few holes in a whole new way.  Did we mention we're gonna have a DJ spinning hits as we hit the links?  Serious golfers need not apply...unless you're willing to let loose & go with the flow!  Remember: Lotsa fun...Notso fancy.”

Tickets to have a team competing are $300 for the four-person team, and includes a cart, greens fees, lunch, and a gift bag for each player.

Spectator tickets are $25. Hole #1 and Hole #18 are designated spectator areas, with access to the club house.

People can show their support and market their business by being a hole sponsor, for $50. Hole sponsors get two spectator tickets and have access to the clubhouse and designated spectator areas on holes # 1, 10, and 18.

To register for the tournament, go to dixielanddelight.com. Limited space is available.

The “Toast” is not the only sporting event on tap for this year’s Jam.

Fowler said the first-ever Alabama June Jam Cornhole Tournament is slated for May 31, from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Alabama Fan Club & Museum parking lot. The entry fee is $50 entry fee per two-person team. Cash prizes and trophies will be awarded. Participants can registration and pay their entry fee day of tournament at the museum.