Representatives of the United South and Eastern Tribes and guests teed off Sunday morning at Timber Creek Golf Club in Spanish Fort for a good cause.

More than 80 golfers braved the sweltering heat to compete for the top prize in the two-man scramble tournament, hosted by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, which raised money for the USET scholarship fund.

“I think everyone enjoyed themselves despite the heat,” Creek Indian Enterprises President and CEO Tim Martin said.

The real winners, Martin said, will be those students that will benefit from the more than $27,000 raised for the USET scholarship fund.

“This is a way for us to raise funds for the USET scholarship fund, which gives scholarship money to students that are a part of the 25-member Tribes,” Jennifer Chism, marketing manager for the Creek Indian Enterprise Development Authority, said.

Martin said USET aims to award a dozen or more $1,000 scholarships to college students affiliated with the 25-member tribes in 11 states, which span from Maine to Florida to Texas, each year.

The tournament also kicked off the four-day USET 2010 semi-annual meeting, which began Monday at the Mobile Battle House and will conclude Thursday afternoon.

During the conference, Tribal representative from 11 states have been meeting to discuss national issues that effect each tribe, including land into trust, taxation, social and health service, law enforcement and much more, according to Martin.

“We have 11 different committees that handle all the issues that tribes face today,” Martin said Tuesday.

Tournament participants were treated to a BBQ lunch following their round of golf and many door prizes were awarded.

“We certainly appreciate all the sponsors for supporting us and making the other Tribes feel welcome here in south Alabama,” Martin said.

The duo of Terry Barnes and Russell Barnes took home first place in the tournament with the lowest score of 60 or 12-under par. Deno Rolin and Jerry Ordis finished second after shooting a 63 and Robbie Jaye and Delmar Weaver rounded out the Top 3 with a 65.

Also receiving recognition was Mike Young and Bryan Fayard for finishing last place in the tournament with a round of 99.

Jaye was also the winner of the men’s longest drive contest and closest to the pin contest. Julie Wilkerson hit the women’s longest drive and Emily Owens placed her ball closest to the pin. Donnie Walker won the longest putt contest.

Martin said it has been more than 40 years since the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has sponsored the USET meeting. He added that he was pleased with the turnout.

“Giving the economic times that exist right now, we are very pleased with the turnout of the Tribes,” he said.