A GIANT spider will be the target of 118 men armed with bowls this weekend at Blacktown Workers Sports Club.
The 65-centimetre redback, complete with glowing red eyes, will be part of the fun at the Telstra Business Centre Blacktown 4's Shoot Out Tournament to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Teams from across Sydney will compete for a share of $10,000 prizemoney, as well as helping to raise money and awareness for research into the disease, which kills 3300 Australian men each year.
The inaugural tournament will be held at the Blacktown Workers Sports Club, 170 Reservoir Road, Blacktown, on August 11 and 12.
Members of the public are invited to support the charity event, which will include face painting from 11am to 1pm, an all-day barbecue and raffles.
Event co-ordinator Stephen Bain said the event was the result of six months planning by a sub-committee including Ray Clegg, Darren Fiene, Dave Herald, Charlie Brown and Keith Simpson and himself.
"We're keen to start doing some other tournaments and align ourselves with different charities," Mr Bain said.
"There's no tournament like this in Australia where 19 of the 28 teams will get their $140 entry fee refunded.
On Saturday, 28 teams will play three games of 14 ends to determine who plays in Sunday's major and repecharge tournaments.
The first prize in the major tournament is $4000.
There will also be a game of "spider" where the 118 players will pay a gold coin donation to stand around the edge of two greens and bowl at a large toy spider in the middle.
On Sunday Blacktown mayor Alan Pendleton and state MP for Blacktown John Robertson will take part in the dual tournament and Blacktown City Games presentation ceremony.
Mr Bain said it was the first time the club had held such an event, but it was hoped other charity tournaments would follow.
"It would be great if we raised thousands of dollars, but more importantly, if we can raise awareness about prostate cancer that would be great.
"We can all do little things, but collectively we can make a big statement."