Bedford firefighters are hoping to sell out their annual golf tournament for a second consecutive year, as residents will be given the chance to tee up at Manchester Country Club for a good cause.

Last year marked the first time the Bedford Professional Firefighters Golf Tournament was sold out, and this year will be the fifth annual running of the event, which will be held Monday, Aug. 25.

According to Bedford firefighter Erik Thomas, one of the most appealing aspects for the 136 golfers that teed up last year is the course.

“One of the big draws is that you get to play at Manchester Country Club, which is a private course,” said Thomas. “It’s not a chance you can play on a regular basis. For a lot of people, they can’t afford to be a member there. It offers a draw to play there. They’ve been very kind for us. People want to play that course.”

Last year the event raised about $9,000, and all proceeds benefit the Bedford Professional Firefighters Relief Fund, which provides assistance to Bedford firefighters who are injured or killed in the line of duty.

Individual golfers pay $165 for the day of golf, while a foursome costs $660 to play at the private course. There are also gold and silver sponsor categories.

The event will kick off Aug. 25 with registration and lunch beginning at 11 a.m., before a shotgun start at noon. The tournament is a scramble format that will likely last about five hours leading up to dinner and raffles that follow the action on the links.

Thomas said there will be a grab bag for each participant which includes gifts from sponsors and an embroidered golf towel that has been a hit in the past.

Planning for the event begins in February and March, so when the summer tournament is over, Thomas said it’s a rewarding experience.

“It’s a big team effort and we have a committee that works together to get it all done. It isn’t any one person who does it. It’s a great feeling,” said Thomas. “Last year was perfect. The weather was flawless, the turnout was tremendous.”

One difference in this year’s tournament is that registration is available at www.bedfordfire fighters.org and, Thomas said, the department hopes to have a PayPal system set up for next year’s tournament.