RALEIGH, N.C. -- It's an official Champion's Tour tour featuring some of the top golfers in the world over age 50, and it's taking place right here in the Tar Heel State. The 2018 SAS Championship is also a major fundraiser for youth educational initiatives in North Carolina. Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair sat down with the tournament’s director Jeff Kleiber to chat about the upcoming event.

• Golfing greats like John Daly, Nick Faldo, Vijay Singh and the defending champion Colin Montgomerie will play
• Over the years, the tournament has been able to share more than $4.5 million to help support youth education initiatives
• To learn more about the tournament or to purchase tickets to the 2018 SAS Championship, visit their website

Starting 18 years ago in 2001, the SAS Championship has grown every year since, welcoming some of the best players in the world.  This year is no different, showcasing the skills of golfing greats like John Daly, Nick Faldo, Vijay Singh and the defending champion Colin Montgomerie. The play begins on Monday, Oct. 8 but the real fun gets underway on Friday and runs through Sunday.

In addition to the Championship Golf event, they are hosting multiple community focused days featuring food and fun:

o   Executive Women’s Day presented by Blue Cross NC

o   Food Truck Friday fueled by Amoco and Breeze Thru of Cary

o   O2 Fitness 5K

o   PNC Family Challenge Clinic

However, a major part of this special week is the charity aspect. Over the years, the tournament has been able to share more than $4.5 million to help support youth education initiatives and this year is no different. While the purse is $2.1 million, the money raised will help the YMCA of the Triangle’s new Y Learning Program, working to put books in hands of kids in need, in third grade and under.

To learn more about the tournament or to purchase tickets to the 2018 SAS Championship, visit their website. Play runs through Sunday, Oct. 14.