7 upcoming summer sporting events
(Decatur Morgan County Tourism/Facebook)
Alabama is home to cities and counties that use their resources to support and advance their communities, and Decatur Morgan County is no different. They are known for their ability to host exciting events like the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic, but they also host a variety of sporting events. Their summer program is peppered with fun runs, championships and tournaments.
Decatur Morgan County Tourism staff put together events that capture the heart of the region. They work with agencies, attractions, hotels and restaurants to offer visitors and participants an amazing experience. They pay attention to detail in their planning process and make sure all things are considered before execution.
The team puts it best: “In Decatur Morgan County, it’s not just a game. Sport is a way of life here. Across the county you will find world-class facilities that can host state, regional, national, and even international competitions. The good accessibility, the inexpensive accommodation, the variety of culinary offers and the unique attractions make the work as a host even easier here. If you host a sporting event here, it’s easy to throw it out of the park.”
Here are 7 events happening in Decatur Morgan County this summer that you won’t want to miss.
57th Spirit of America Golf Tournament
June 28 – July 2
The Spirit of America Golf Classic is Burningtree Country Club’s longstanding benefit tournament held annually in conjunction with the Spirit of America Festival in Decatur, itself one of the largest free July 4th festivals in the South. This unique “College Team and Individuals” format event was established in 1967 and was home to collegiate players and top amateur players from across the country. The format features a 72-hole stroke play with a 54-hole college team division. The Spirit tournament features many top graduates such as Heath Slocum, 1995 PGA Tour champion and player, and 1989 PGA Tour junior champion and player Stewart Cink.
More information can be found here.
Community Free Clinic Spirit of America 5 Miler
July 1
The Community Free Clinic Spirit of America 5 Miler will be held on July 1st at 2901 Point Mallard Drive SE. The 5 mile course starts at the corner of soccer fields near TC ALMON. Runners go around the field on the access road and then run on the golf course road to the north trailhead and run back the trail to the south trailhead. After the 5 mile race there will also be a 1 mile fun run.
More information can be found here.
Exposure in the Tennessee Valley
14-16 July
Tennessee Valley Exposure is a platform dedicated to giving local athletes the opportunity to improve their skills and gain recognition from coaches throughout the South. Their goal is to host great events in quality venues at a reasonable cost. Tennessee Valley Exposure takes place July 14-16.
More information can be found here.
Fishers of Men Legacy Series Championship
28-29 July
The 2023 Fishers of Men Legacy Series Championship will be held July 28-29 at The Wheeler in Decatur. Fishers of Men began as a four division tournament tournament in 1998 and has grown to become one of the largest tournament fishing organizations in the country. The divisional tournament event consists of a professionally conducted fishing tournament on Saturday, preceded by a meeting on Friday evening. All tournaments are team events, with each team consisting of two members.
More information can be found here.
Premier Soccer Services Labor Day Cup
2nd-3rd September
The Alabama Labor Day Cup takes place September 2-3. The event offers the participating teams the opportunity to play all their matches on great pitches. Competition will be high and there will be top-notch competitions, 2nd and 3rd tier levels of play, offering teams a tailored level of competition – from the development phase through to hard-fought matches.
More information can be found here.
Jesse Owens Runners Club 2023 Chickasaw Trails
September 9th
The race venue is beautifully situated in an area steeped in history. The circuit features 4-5 short hills, great trails through wooded areas, safe footing, well marked, well monitored, some packed gravel/dirt, some grass, wide starting area, spectator friendly and fast! The race location has hosted two AAU national meetings, hosted the Alabama High School Athletic Association state cross-country championships for 19 years, and has hosted collegiate meetings.
More information can be found here.
BASS 2023 High School Combine
15-17 September
The Bassmaster High School Combine, presented by Skeeter, returns to Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Alabama, for a weekend September 15-17, combining competency challenges and recruiting visits in hopes of raising money for a college angel scholarship. The first Combine raised more than $2.6 million in scholarship offers, and the numbers are still streaming for the second event as athletes sign up with teams from different schools.
More information can be found here.