EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The team slots for the Gregg Williams Tiger Golf Classic are getting filled for the morning round.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 22 foursomes had signed up for the morning session of the tournament, slated for July 9 at Excelsior Springs Golf Course, Gregg Williams Foundation Inc. President Tray Harkins stated via email. There were five foursomes signed up for the afternoon session, Harkins reported.

Each session is set up for 36 foursomes maximum, Harkins stated.

The team registration form is on the foundation’s website, greggwilliamsfoundation.org. Team sponsorships include silver, gold and platinum sponsorships. A platinum sponsorship, set at $2,500, includes a registry of two four-player teams, the website states.

Based on tournament history, teams might need their “A” game to win it.

“There are a lot of really, really good golfers that come in to play in this tournament. … We’ve had years where it took 20 under (par) to win it,” Williams said. “And we’ve had years where it dropped down to 15, 16 under to win it. … It’s a really fun time.”

Like previous tournaments, an auction will follow the Tiger Golf Classic. An Excelsior Springs native and NFL coach whose foundation stages the tournament to help area youth, Williams said the auction will feature memorabilia autographed by “some of the most accredited” sports and entertainment celebrities. He had sent roughly 250 invitations for people to donate items for auction, he estimated June 7 by phone.

Williams also cited one celebrity who provides memorabilia without being asked: pro football star Tom Brady.

“He keeps it on his calendar and he sends stuff every year,” Williams said.

Williams cited other stars who have contributed items over the years, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II; Pro Football Hall of Famer Archie Manning; two of Manning’s sons, Eli and soon-to-be Hall of Famer Peyton; and basketball star LeBron James.

“A few years ago, when LeBron James was able to bring the (NBA) championship to Cleveland – when I was working in Cleveland – he signed a jersey that did a great job for helping kids here,” he said. “It went off the charts.”

Celebrities enjoy donating memorabilia, Williams said.

“They know the money is for kids,” he said.