The popular Frontier Toyota/Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital "Drive Safe" Golf Classic returns to the Valencia Country Club on May 17.

Now in its 35th year, proceeds from the event benefit emergency and trauma services at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. Nearly $280,000 was raised in 2007.

"We are grateful that the Drive Safe Golf Classic draws such enormous support each year," said Diana Vose, Henry Mayo Health Foundation President. "Not only is it a fun and entertaining day on the course, the funds raised benefits emergency and trauma services, which helps Henry Mayo provide life-saving services for our community when they need it the most."

Attendees can purchase tickets for the exciting $50,000 grand prize Helicopter Golf Ball Drop. A total of 1,800 golf balls will be dropped from the sky toward a target hole.

If one of the ten closest balls to land near the target hole matches a pre-selected winning number, the ticket holder will win a $50,000 grand prize. A first- and second-place closest-to-the-target hole can win $2,500 and $1,000.

Golfer registratio will start at 7:30 a.m. At 4 p.m., golfers and event attendees will attend an awards dinner and auction that will cap the day on the greens.

The Frontier Toyota/Henry Mayo Golf Classic offers sponsorship opportunities ranging from $50 for a quarter-page ad in the tournament program to $6,500 for a major sponsorship.

Auction donation items and dinner ticket purchases are another way to support the Drive Safe Golf Classic.

"Whether you donate an auction item, volunteer at the event, or purchase a sponsorship, it all benefits the healthcare needs of the community," Vose said. "We look forward to another successful Golf Classic on May 17."

Anyone interested in player and sponsorship opportunities, donating auction items, purchasing tickets for the dinner and auction program, or for the golf - ball - drop, please contact the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Health Foundation at 661-253-8082.

To volunteer, contact Andrea Hilton at 661-253-8086.