_A field of 144 golfers is scheduled to compete in the tournament, which gets under way Thursday on the par-71 Country Club of Salisbury course.

Practice rounds were scheduled today, then a sponsors’ party and buffet is slated at 6 p.m.

The Sponsors’ Pro-Am will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Nineteen teams, consisting of one pro and four amateurs, are scheduled to compete. The Salisbury Sweepstakes will then be held at approximately 4:30 p.m. Pros will form teams of eight golfers to see who can play holes No. 1 and 9 the fastest.

A pro-am dinner is scheduled at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The first round of the tournament starts at 8 a.m. Thursday and the second and final around at approximately 9 a.m. Friday. The winner will receive $5,300 of the total $40,000 purse.

Players breaking the course record of 66, which was set by Diane Dickman in 1987, will receive $200. There is also a $200 prize for a hole in one and a $100 bonus for the low round each day.

The field will include two former amateur stars, Grace Park of Phoenix, Ariz., and Jenny Chuasiriporn of Timonium, Md. Each turned pro this month.

The Futures Tour money leader is Eunice Choi of Dove Canyon, Calif., with $24,415. Second-place Marilyn Lovander of St. Petersburg, Fla., is second at $21,017.