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SEATTLE – By the time basketball season tips off, it'll be November. But before tip-off, there's tee-off, and that'll be in September for the 31st annual Environmech and M.A. Mortenson Company Falcon Golf Classic

This year's event is set for Friday, Sept. 10, and once again will be played at Harbour Point Golf Club in Mukilteo (11817 Harbour Pointe Blvd.).

The format of the tournament is scramble/best ball, and it gets going with a shotgun start at 7 a.m. The $200 entry fee per golfer includes green fees, a continental breakfast that begins at 6:30 a.m., team and individual photos, a buffet luncheon, prizes, carts, and a bucket of balls at the practice range.

Registration and payment (part of which is a tax-deductible donation) are due by Aug. 27.

The tournament benefits the men's basketball program at Seattle Pacific. Last year's event at Harbour Pointe generated more than $40,000 in scholarships for the program.

“I was impressed with the number of people who participated in (the 2009) tournament,” said Ryan Looney, who is beginning is second year as head coach of the Falcons. “For me, it was my first glimpse in regards to how much support there is for the men's basketball program at SPU. It's an event that people look forward to for coming together with former players and other fans, and it's a chance to get a glimpse at some of our returning players, as well.

“Budget and fundraising are always an important part of any program, and the golf tournament is a major fundraising event for our team,” Looney added.

During the 2009-10 season, the Falcons captured the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship for the first time since 2007 and for the fourth time in school history. SPU wound up with a 13-3 record in conference play and a 22-6 overall mark, advancing to the NCAA Division II West Regional tournament for the sixth consecutive season.

In addition to a home-and-home conference sweep of rival Western Washington, the Falcons knocked off then-No. 1 Brigham Young-Hawaii last December in Brougham Pavilion, 78-72.

Since the season ended, the Falcons have added several new players, including two big men who are transferring from Division I programs: 6-foot-11 Andy Poling, who played six games at Gonzaga last year, and 6-10 Modou Niang, who played the past three seasons at Utah State.

The returning group includes All-American senior guard Chris Banchero, the reigning Great Northwest Athletic Conference and West Region Player of the Year.

“We're excited about the team we have,” Looney said. “We're really happy about the group of individuals returning. I thought they did a great job in their spring workouts to become better players. We're also excited about our eight new players. We have a good mix of freshmen and transfer students who should be able to come into our program and fulfill a need right away.”

Trophies will be awarded to the top three foursomes at the Falcon Golf Classic. In addition, individual contests will be offered for putting, longest drive, longest putt, and closest to the pin.

More information is available by contacting Coach Looney at (206) 281-2963, or athletic director Erin O'Connell at (206) 281-2175. More information also is available by e-mailing to looner@spu.edu, or ocone@spu.edu.