By EMILY REED / Special to the Reporter

CALERA – The 12th annual Kevin Derryberry Celebrity Golf Classic will be held April 27 at Timberline Golf Club in Calera.

The proceeds from the tournament help support Kevin Derryberry Ministries, a local ministry designed to assist those in youth homes, prisons, rehabilitation facilities, transitional facilities and more.

“Our goal is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the principles of the Bible, and say ‘this works’ when you apply these things to your life,” Derryberry said. “We try to share that there is hope, people have a future, and the future is in Jesus Christ. He has a plan for them, and we really try to instill that in the people that we meet.”

The tournament begins with sign-ups at 7 a.m. for morning flight, and an 11:30 a.m. sign-up and lunch for the afternoon flight.

The driving range is open with free range ball rules, and rules, announcements and shotgun starts at 7:45 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Lunch and morning round awards will be held at 12:30 p.m., and all afternoon round awards, prizes and auction will be held immediately after playing finishes.

Anyone interested in participating in the tournament must complete registration by April 19 to ensure a golf tournament T-shirt.

Each participant receives golf greens and cart free, lunch by Full Moon BBQ, and dinner by Buffalo Wild Wings.

Some of the individuals planning to participate in the tournament include Rick and Bubba, Bobby Humphrey, WDJC, and Terry Daniels.

Derryberry said there are still plenty of spots available for anyone interested in participating.

In previous years, Derryberry estimates the tournament has raised about $16,000.

“We are so appreciative of the money that comes in,” Derryberry said. “ A lot of times we will have people donate money even if they don’t play golf. Whatever we raise helps. We take Bibles into the prisons and hand them out, and each Bible cost $24, with us handing out 200 at a time.”

Derryberry shares his personal story with others of a background involved with alcohol and drugs, and being led to Christ.

“It is easy for me to tell others that God has a plan for them, because I believe it, but I also have witnessed it firsthand,” Derryberry said. “I used to be an alcoholic, and was told I had six months to live. When I came to my senses and cried out for help with God, he did help me. He put people in my life to encourage me and pray for me, and that is what I hope to do for others.”

For more information or to register, call 663-4968 or 515-3769, or visit Kevinderryberry.com.