"It's hugely exciting not just for us but the spin offs for the local community and businesses. We are definitely generating plenty of interest already," Mr Creighton said.
Approximately 90 per cent of entry fees will fund the total estimated prize pool of $20,800. There is potentially $10,000 up for grabs in the Main Event and $4000 for the runner-up, with $2000 for the winner of the Plate or Trophy event and $750 for the runner-up.
Winners will receive engraved medals and the Shield will stay permanently in pride of place at the Levin Cosmopolitan Club.
Naming the tournament after Charles Upham was the brainchild of Club tournament committee member Lester Putze.
"He's one of our country's greatest war heroes but not so many people seem to have heard of him, especially the younger generation. There's never been a sporting event named after him," he said.
Mr Putze rang Upham's daughter, Virginia Mackenzie, and was given permission to use her father's name and image. The only condition was that the Club make a donation to the Red Cross in memory of the parcels that kept her father alive during the war.
Nestle, which provided Red Cross provisions during the war and is one of the tournament's current three sponsors, sent the Club 600 chocolate bars which they have given to the Palmerston North Red Cross branch to sell.
Tournament sponsor Camera Place Levin in association with Black View NZ will sponsor a prize for player of the tournament chosen by the referees and all players will receive a 'goody bag' from Horowhenua District Council which is supporting the Club to run the tournament.
Mr Putze said the Shield would be registered as a charity, enabling the Club to undertake other activities, including a Horowhenua Cue Sports Academy for children.
"We will teach kids pool etiquette and how to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Charles Upham was a humble man and we want to pass that on to the kids."
The Shield will be officially handed over to the Club by Mrs Mackenzie this Labour Weekend during the celebratory launch of the tournament.
Mrs Mackenzie said she was very surprised to get the initial call.
"My father hadn't been a pool or snooker player which was why it came as such a big surprise but they seemed keen to have this tournament and I thought I better agree," she said.
Mrs Mackenzie said her father would have been surprised that someone wanted to name a pool tournament after him.
"He wouldn't want the fuss. There's nothing really named after him, he wasn't one for publicity."
The Crighton ITM Charles Upham VC and Bar Memorial Shield launch is Saturday October 22 from 1pm and everyone is welcome, non-Cosmopolitan Club members included.
The inaugural Crighton ITM Charles Upham VC and Bar Memorial Shield pool tournament will be held at the Levin Cosmopolitan Club, October 21-23, 2017.
Entry fee per player is $120, Clubs NZ rules and dress code apply. Interested players should email their name and contact details to levincossyclub8ball@hotmail.com
