There has never been a golf event like it in the county before — and it's about to become an annual thing.

The first Butler County Pro-Am Fall Golf Classic is slated for Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 at Conley Resort & Golf Club, Cranberry Highlands and Butler Country Club.

The Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau has teamed with the Tri-State PGA Association to make this event happen.Amateur golfers with teams of four will be paired with the same Tri-State PGA pro throughout the three-day tournament.

“This is a unique partnership and a very unique event, one we're excited to be associated with,” said David Wright, executive director of the Tri-State PGA.

The competition begins at Conley's Sept. 30 with a nine-hole, par-3 tourney. It will continue with 18-hole tournaments Oct. 1 and 2 at Cranberry Highlands and Butler Country Club, respectively.

There will be a $20,000 purse for the professionals and a $10,000 purse — redeemable at the Butler Country Club Golf Shop — for amateurs.

“We're not permitted to award money to amateurs, so we get around that by enabling them to get golf merchandise,” Wright said.

Entry fee is $1,500 per team. That fee includes course play, meals and accommodations

A banquet will be held the night of Sept. 30 at the Pittsburgh Marriott North. An awards ceremony will be held at Butler Country Club after the final portion of the event. Those events are also included in the entry fee.

“We are very excited to host this tournament. Butler County features a dozen golf courses, all within half an hour of each other,” Jack Cohen, president of the tourism bureau, said in a prepared statement. “Our courses are surrounded by wooded hills, panoramic views, and create a fun and challenging game for scratch golfers and raw beginners alike.”

This is a charitable event, with proceeds benefitting the Moraine Preservation Fund. That is a non-profit organization led by volunteers who educate the public and aid in maintaining the natural resources at Moraine State Park, Jennings Environmental Education Center and McConnell's Mill State Park.

“Besides contributing toward a worthwhile cause, amateur golfers will benefit from playing with the same pro for three days,” Wright pointed out. “The pro will be offering tips and advice to the golfers as he sees their game.

“Golf lessons like that would normally cost $200 or so. In this event, it's simply a side benefit.”

The county tourism bureau and Tri-State PGA have committed to this pro-am for a few years beyond this one. The event is in the fall because the Tri-State PGA season is over at that point.

“All of our golfers have committed to play in this event,” Wright said. “Our Tri-State Player of the Year, Senior Player of the Year, they will be in the field as well.

“At that time of year, the golf courses will be in pristine condition.”

For more information, or to enter the pro-am, visit www.tristatepga.bluegolf.com or call Wright at 724-774-2224.