Golfers, get ready to hit the fairways at Marietta Country Club this spring in honor of former Cobb County Commission Chairman Earl Smith and in support of The Strand Theatre renovation.

Presented by Overlook at Marietta Country Club, the Earl Smith Tribute Golf Tournament will give players a chance to enjoy competitive golf on April 28 while raising money toward the Earl Smith Tribute Challenge.

The challenge was launched in November by a group of community leaders who wanted to honor Earl Smith by buying The Strand’s $1 million naming rights. They put $500,000 down and challenged the community to raise the other half by June 1 in order to raise The Strand’s marquee as “The Earl Smith Strand Theatre.”

Foursomes are $500 and sponsorship opportunities are available. The tournament will be a modified scramble format played on 27 holes – the original 18 at Marietta Country Club and the new addition at Overlook across the street. Any golfer who scores a hole-in-one on either of the par three holes will win a new car from Bill Heard Chevrolet or Day's Chevrolet of Acworth.

Earl Smith’s dedication to government, business, health, education, and the arts has been enhancing Cobb and surrounding areas for nearly 50 years. He is currently is involved in countless projects in the community including the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center and The Strand Theatre.

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John Williams, and Kessel Stelling spearheaded the tribute challenge along with Otis Brumby, Roger and Pam DeBoy, Cobb Energy, directors from the Bank of North Georgia, and Rachel Smith of E. Smith Heating & Air.

A new roof and new windows were installed at The Strand in mid-March.

To learn more about the tournament, the Earl Smith Tribute Challenge, the remaining available naming rights to The Strand, and other ways to support the renovation, visit www.FriendsofTheStrand.org or call 678-569-1321.