Twelve dozen of the world's top women golfers will be invading Elmore County yet again, as the 2009 Navistar LPGA Classic returns to Prattville for its annual four-day tournament in early October.

Officials have already confirmed that big-name golfers such as Lorena Ochoa, Natalie Gulbis, Anna Rawson and Se Ri Pak will all attend the event, which will be held for the third straight year at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Capitol Hill complex -- which features the Judge and Legislator courses.

Ochoa captured the 2008 Navistar Classic, defeating Cristie Kerr and Candie Kung in an exciting three-way, two-hole playoff en route to her 24th career victory. The 28-year-old is currently ranked No. 1 in the world, according the Rolex Women's Golf Rankings.

This year's winner will walk away with $1.4 million purse.

Tournament play is set to begin Oct. 1 at 6:50 a.m. and will continue into the final round on Sunday, Oct. 4. The LPGA will also hold a junior clinic on Sept. 29, with the event's Pro-Am golf outing scheduled for the following day.

Navistar Classic officials wanted to make sure they avoided competition from other sporting events across the state, especially college football.

Organizers were able to bypass a major conflict, as both Alabama's and Auburn's football teams will be playing on the road. Alabama State, Troy, Huntingdon, UAB and South Alabama each will have the weekend off.

"We couldn't have bought a better weekend," said Bill Lang, public relations director for Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. "We lined up as much as we could with the stars and it worked out great for everyone."

Despite the annual golf tourney being almost two months away, event director Jonathan Romeo said that multiple volunteer positions are still available.

"We are off a little bit where we need to be, volunteer-wise," said Romeo, who said the event needs 650 volunteers. "That's the biggest thing right now."

Lang confirmed that one of the headlining golfers is expected to be an honorary captain for the Prattville football team for the coin toss during school's homecoming game against Class 6A Jeff Davis on Oct. 2.

Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis knows what type of economic boost the annual tournament can provide and he understands that it remains a joint effort of Elmore and Autauga County.

Parts of the city of Prattville are in both counties, with the Capitol Hill golf center resting in the Elmore County portion.

"We've always been supportive of the event, even though we are on the far side of the county from it," Willis noted. "We do realize it's a joint effort and hopefully we can continue to be supportive in those efforts."