MONROE — A golf classic to raise college scholarship money will honor former Porter Ridge student Alex Kahle, who died in a car accident in 2007.

“Education was very important to Alex and to us as a family,” Alex’s mother, Pat Kahle, said. Money raised in Monday’s tournament will go toward a scholarship for the Union County Christmas Parade Princess.

Every year, each high school chooses one senior girl to represent the school in Monroe’s Christmas Parade. Girls are selected based on leadership skills, academic excellence and community service.

“All of those are attributes that our Alex had,” Pat Kahle said.

Alex Kahle, 17, was chosen to represent her school in 2007, but was killed a week before the parade.

Pat Kahle said her daughter was a straight-A student with a heart for giving back to the community. She also had the “affection and ability to connect with young children,” she said, calling the partnership with Union Smart Start “meant to be.”

Once high school representatives are chosen, Smart Start organizes a committee of local business and civic leaders to interview the girls and pick the winner. Tiffany Estep of Marvin Ridge High School wore last year’s crown.

Smart Start is a nonprofit organization supporting the health and education of young children. The group helps coordinate parade activities.

The first golf classic, held last fall, raised $12,000. A third of that went to Estep; the rest of it into a savings account for future scholarships. Pat Kahle said the goal is to build the fund so that multiple scholarships can be given out each year — one reason she wants “as many golfers as we can get.”

Ninety-two golfers participated last year. This year’s event will also include a silent auction. Gas cards, gift certificates, a wine basket and Stone Table dinner for six prepared at home by chef Matthew Sganga are up for grabs.

This year’s parade princess will be crowned Nov. 5. All school representatives are in the parade Nov. 22.

Registration for the Alex Kahle Golf Classic on Monday will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Rolling Hills Country Club in Monroe. Tee off is at 12:30 p.m.

Donations can be made to the Alex Kahle Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Citizens South Bank, P.O. Box 5044, Monroe, NC 28111.

For more information or to register, call 704-221-3301 or write to alexkahlememorial@gmail.com. The cost is $100 per player, with the first-place player receiving $400 and second-place player receiving $200. Sponsorships are tax deductible.