Sleepy Hole Golf Course will be rolling out the green carpet to golfers for its signature event this weekend, the Chick-fil-A Sleepy Hole Amateur Championship, and slots are still open for those interested in participating.

“We’re expecting one of our biggest turnouts ever, so pretty exciting,” said Katie Murphy, the course’s LPGA head golf professional.

Up to 150 applications are being accepted, and while Murphy said more than 100 have been received, she is looking for more.

“I’m certainly not going to turn anybody away,” she said.

“Sleepy Hole Amateur has a great history,” local golfer J.P. Leigh said.

Murphy said it dates back to the 1970s, when Sleepy Hole opened.

“It’s our biggest event of the year as far as showcasing our course,” she said, also expressing excitement that the Chick-fil-A on Portsmouth Boulevard is on board as the title sponsor.

The 36-hole individual stroke-play tournament, which starts on Saturday and ends Sunday, will be broken into flights based on a player’s handicap.

There are usually five to six flights, though it will depend on the number of golfers. The overall event winner will come from the championship flight.

“Typically they are your scratch to maybe one or two handicap golfers,” Murphy said of those competing in the championship flight. “(It) just depends on how many we get.”

The Sleepy Hole Amateur is also a Virginia State Golf Association points ranking event. VSGA players can earn points based on their performances during various events that will count toward an overall total, which puts them in the running for a Player of the Year award.

“If you play really well in this event in the championship flight, then that just goes along for their point rankings,” Murphy said.

She also said there never really has been any gender qualification for participation in the Sleepy Hole Amateur. At least one female will compete this year, hitting from the same tees as the men, she said.

Additionally, Murphy said, “There is a senior division, and that has grown through the years.”

Leigh, a participant for more than 20 years who has won the regular event a few times, transitioned to the 60-and-over senior division several years ago and said he is looking forward to playing.

“It’s just a great tournament,” he said. “Sleepy Hole does a wonderful job.”

Murphy encouraged interested golfers to register by 3 p.m. Thursday.

“It’s a great opportunity to play competitive golf,” she said. “The course is in good shape.”

Registration costs $145 per player, which covers green fees, cart, range balls, a Chick-fil-A lunch on Saturday, a Titleist tee gift and the prize fund. Gift certificates will be paid out to the winners.

To register, visit www.SleepyHoleGolfCourse.com, and scroll down to the “Announcements.” Fill out the application and fax it to 934-2781. Interested golfers can also call 538-4100.

The event tees off at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.