On May 10, an unseasonably clear and warm day, Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) hosted its first fundraising golf tournament “Fore the Animals” at Trophy Lake Golf & Casting in Port Orchard, raised $22,000 and attracted 40 percent more participants than anticipated.  “A wonderful first-year effort”, said Cary Bozeman, KHS Board member and chair of the event.

One of the special attractions of the event was the invitation for golfers to bring their own dogs along for the day. Four golfers brought their best friends:  Kerris, a yellow lab and service dog, sat up straight in the golf cart next to her owner, Kevin Kelley, occasionally jumping down to chase golf balls; Beyonce, a French bulldog, enjoyed spending the day with Tyler Freed of Windermere, a Fore the Animals sponsor; Ruger, a German Wirehaired Pointer, followed Todd Buskirk across the green; and Bruce, a lab mix, stretched out close to the dinner tables after the 18th hole.

The team representing major sponsor NW Golf Range in Bremerton won the tournament.

One of the reasons KHS selected Trophy Lake Golf & Casting as its tournament venue was because of Ellie, the “course dog” who passed away last year.  KHS staffers were moved by the stories of Trophy Lake regulars who miss Ellie’s companionship on the course, hanging out on her favorite spot next to the water (Ellie’s Landing), strolling about with the golfers or chasing golf balls.  KHS supporters Corey Sign & Display and Olmsted’s Plants, Produce & Landscaping, both of Poulsbo, donated a flagstone and custom engraving respectively, for a special remembrance to Trophy Lake from Kitsap Humane Society.

Kitsap Humane Society is a non-profit charitable organization that has been caring for animals in need since 1908.  KHS’ vision is that every adoptable companion animal has a home.  The staff and volunteers work toward this goal seven days a week through the immediate care and sheltering of thousands of companion animals that are homeless, lost, ill and in need of an advocate.  For more information, visit kitsap-humane.org  Rescue. Rehabilitate. Rehome.